GLENVILLE , NY (01/11/2013)(readMedia)-- The Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's Company E 427th Brigade Support Battalion, the support element for the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry will be honored for their service in Afghanistan, while 1st Lt. Mark Colloton, a combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, takes command of the company on Sunday January 13.

WHO: 1st Lt. Mark Colloton, the incoming commander, Capt. Steven Kitchen, the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Joseph L. Biehler, commander of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, and the Soldiers and families of Company E 427th Brigade Support Battalion.

WHAT: National Guard "Freedom Salute" recognition ceremony and company change of command ceremony featuring the traditional passing of the guidon from the outgoing to the incoming commander. During the Freedom Salute ceremony Guard Soldiers will receive awards and tokens of recognition for their service.

WHEN: 9 a.m., Sunday January 13, 2013

WHERE: Niskayuna High School auditorium, 1626 Balltown Road, Niskayuna, NY 12309

Coverage opportunities:

Members of the press will be able to interview both the incoming and the outgoing commanders and speak to Soldiers about their service in Afghanistan. Video and still imagery opportunities include Soldiers in formation, Soldiers receiving their awards, and the change of command ceremony.

For access to the event reporters should contact SSG Brian Manny, 518-220-4114.

Freedom Salute:

In December 2003, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., launched the Freedom Salute Campaign nationwide as a way to recognize members of the Army National Guard for service during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom and thank their spouses, children, and employers for the support they have shown to their Soldier. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. Each eligible Soldier will receive an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The Soldier's spouse/significant other will receive a lapel insignia.

Change of Command Ceremony:

In A traditional military change of command the company's guidon, a small flag, is passed from the outgoing commander to the battalion commander, who in turn passes the guidon to the incoming company commander. This signifies the change in responsibility for the company's Soldiers and its mission. The incoming commander then passes the guidon to the company first sergeant, the non-commissioned officer who is responsible for the training and management of the company. He/she represents the Soldiers of the company.

Traditionally the guidon indicated the unit's location on the battlefield and the location of the commander. The military ritual was designed to allow the Soldiers to see who they would follow in to the fight.

1ST LIEUTENANT MARK COLLOTON

1st Lieutenant Mark Colloton enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 2002 and earned his commission as an Ordnance Officer in 2009. He has served in various positions such as a Food Service Worker, Battalion Motor Officer, Maintenance Platoon Leader and Maintenance Control Officer.

He most recently served as a Logistics Liaison Officer for the New York Army National Guard's response to Hurricane Sandy. Prior to that, he served in Afghanistan with the 108th Infantry in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Prior to earning his commission, he served in Iraq as a Team Leader for convoy operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005). He assumed his current duties in 2009.

Colloton has served as a Federal Technician for the New York Army National Guard since 2007. He worked in the United States Property and Fiscal Office as a Supply Technician from 2007-2010 and currently works in the Directorate of Logistics. Prior to joining the New York Army National Guard on a full-time basis, Colloton was employed in the hospitality industry.

Colloton earned his commission in 2009 through Officer Candidate School at the Fort McClellan Military Academy, in Alabama. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from SUNY Delhi.

He is a graduate of the Unit Movement Officer Course, Warrior Leader Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course and Ordnance Basic Officer Leadership Course.

Colloton's awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with one Campaign Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with One Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Aperture, NCO Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Overseas Training Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.

He lives in Schenectady, NY, with his wife Rachelle and their two children.

CAPTAIN STEPHEN KITCHEN

Captain Steve Kitchen was commissioned in the New York Army National Guard in 2001 and has served as an Armor Platoon Leader, Armor Company Executive Officer, Infantry Company Executive Officer, Infantry Company Commander and Forward Support Company Commander.

Kitchen served as a platoon leader in the 1st Battalion 101st Cavalry during the New York Army National Guard's response to the attacks at Ground Zero and as an Infantry Headquarters Company Executive Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005).

In 2006 he took command of a Forward Support Company, where served for two years before being selected for an Infantry Company Command. In that role he deployed to Japan in support of Operation Orient Shield , a training exercise, in 2009.

Kitchen assumed his third company command in 2010 at the start of the battalion's pre-deployment training program for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Kitchen is a Federal Dual Status Technician working for the New York Army National Guard as a Construction Representative and is a small business owner. Prior that worked as a commercial appraiser in Albany, NY. Before earning his commission Kitchen served as a infantry rifleman from 1989 to 1995.

Kitchen earned his commission in 2001 through the New York Army National Guard's Officers Candidate School program.

He holds a Bachelors of Arts in History from the New York State Regents College and a Masters of Science in Construction Management from New York University.

He is a graduate of Armor Officer Basic Course, the Maneuver Captains Career Course, and the Information Operations Course. In 2009, he was the New York Army National Guard's selection for the Officer Exchange Program with the United Kingdom.

Kitchen's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with OLC, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with One Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with One Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon and the NATO Medal.

Kitchen resides in Albany, NY.

2nd Battalion 108th Infantry:

The 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry has units located across upstate New York in Ithaca, Utica, Glenville, Gloversville, Leeds, Ogdensburg, and Morrisonville. During its deployment to Afghanistan the battalion formed the core of Task Force Iron where it was responsible for enhancing the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces to secure Highway One in from Herat City to Nimroz Province in western Afghanistan.

In 100 days of combat operations during the critical 2012 fighting season, the Task Force conducted 572 combat missions, including 20 air assault operations. It found and cleared dozens of IEDs and assisted the Afghan Army in establishing security along 200 miles of Highway One, one of the most strategic pieces of terrain in Afghanistan. In addition to these accomplishments, Task Force Iron enhanced the concept of Afghan-led inter-agency coordination centers, developed a targeting methodology for Security Force Assistance Teams and developed an innovative air assault counter IED team that neutralized the IED threat on Highway One.

The 500-Soldier Task Force was augmented with an infantry company and dozens of individuals from the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, "The Fighting 69th," and a Ground Collection Platoon from the Syracuse-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Specific units assigned to the Task Force are:

Task Force Iron arrived in Afghanistan in May 2012 and began combat operations to set the conditions for the final phase of security transition to Afghan forces in RC-West. From its headquarters at Shindand Air Base, the Task Force conducted security force assistance from four locations in Heart and Farah Provinces. Task Force Iron also exercised tactical control and limited administrative control of U.S. liaison teams to the Slovenian Military Advisory Team in Farah Province and the Lithuanian Police Advisory Team in Ghor Province.

Beginning on July 7, 2012, TF Iron was committed in its entirety to the RC-West Main Effort, OPERATION SHRIMP NET. During the operation, the Task Force served as the primary security force for the retrograde of a Combined Afghan-Italian Task Force from the Gulistan Valley in Farah Province. The Italians were occupying two isolated combat outposts that could only be reached safely by air due to an influx of insurgents into the valley. TF Iron's mission was to clear and secure a 25 mile-long route into the valley in order to ensure the safe movement of the combined Afghan-Italian force. The 9-day operation was a major success and aided substantially to the transition of security to Afghan Forces.

Task Force Iron was the last major US ground maneuver force in RC-West and played an essential role in the transition of security from international forces to the Afghan Army and Police. As part of this transition, Task Force Iron closed several outposts and prepared thousands of pieces of equipment for its eventual retrograde from the country. The last Task Force Iron combat elements came off mission on August 22, 2012. The majority of the Soldiers returned to the United States in late September 2012.

Posted Friday January 11, 2013 at 12:01 pm by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Sunday January 13, 2013 at 07:28 am