NY Army National Guard helicopter battalion gets new commander today

Media Advisory

Related Media

Lt. Col. Jason Lefton will take command of 3rd Battalion,142nd Aviation Regiment

RONKONKOMA (09/09/2017) (readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Jason Lefton, an Iraq War veteran, and a Niskayuna, N.Y., resident, will take command of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment, a UH-60 Blackhawk battalion, from Lt. Col. Kevin Ferreira on Saturday morning.

The battalion has elements at McArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma and Albany International Airport.

WHO: Lt. Col. Jason Lefton, the incoming commander; Lt. Col. Kevin Ferreira, the outgoing commander, and the men and women of the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment.

WHAT: Traditional change-of-command ceremony in which Lt. Col. Ferreira will hand the battalion flag, commonly called the colors, to Lt. Col. Lefton to mark the transition from one commander to another.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2017

WHERE: Army Aviation Support Facility, 201 Schaefer Drive, Ronkonkoma, NY 11779

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Lt. Col. Lefton about the missions of the battalion and its role in supporting troops in combat. Visual opportunities will include the passing of the battalion colors and imagery of the troops in massed formation.

For access to this military facility, reporters must contact 1lt. Stephanie Fernandez, battalion personnel officer at 347-326-4296.