Binghamton based Soldiers conduct mobilization ceremony on Sunday, October 11 at state armory

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK- (10/09/2026) (readMedia)-- Fifty-eight New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Forward Support Company of Binghamton's 204th Engineer Battalion will be recognized at a mobilization ceremony on Sunday, October 11, as they prepare for a year-long active-duty deployment.

Members of the press are invited to cover the ceremony.

WHO: Soldiers assigned to the Forward Support Company of the 204th Engineer Battalion of the New York Army National Guard, and their family members.

WHAT: A ceremony marking their transition to federal active duty as they depart for Fort Bliss, Texas where they will conduct post-mobilization training. The Soldiers are heading to the United States' southern border where they will support the Border Patrol.

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026

WHERE: The New York State Armory, 85 West End Avenue. Binghamton, New York

Coverage Opportunities

Media members can obtain still and video imagery of the ceremony and will have an opportunity to talk with Soldiers and family members as well as the battalion commander.

Members of the press must contact Lt. Col. Kevin O'Reilly at (518) 944-8966 for access to this secure military facility.

BACKGROUND:

The 204th Engineer Battalion has 700 Soldiers located at armories in Binghamton, Kingston, Horseheads, Walton, and Cortlandt Manor.

The Forward Support Company provides logistics support, including maintenance and transportation of fuel, supplies and materials to the 204th Engineer Battalion. The unit is based at the Binghamton Armory and will be providing support to the Border Patrol.

While the unit is expected to deploy for 12 months. That time could be extended based on mission requirements.

On Thursday, October 8, the 204th Engineer's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, which is also based in Binghamton, also conducted a mobilization ceremony. The 60 Soldiers in that element will command a task force of troops providing support to the Border Patrol.

Lt. Col. Kevin Rilley, the commander of the 204th Engineer Battalion will serve as the task force commander.

the Soldiers in both companies have trained for this mission for the past year.

In 2025, the New York National Guard deployed the Headquarters Detachment of the 104th Military Police Battalion, headquartered in Kingston, and the 442nd Military Police Company, based at the Jamaica Armory in Queens, New York City, on a similar support mission.