National Guard Blackhawk Helicopter on display at Geneseo Air Show

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A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter of the New York Army National Guard's 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation in Latham hovers above the Mohawk River as the crew fills the Firehawk firefighting system attached to t

LATHAM, NY (07/09/2015)(readMedia)-- Reporters looking for a different kind of story at the Geneseo Air Show are invited to stop by the New York Army National Guard Recruiting tent. Reporters can talk to recruiters, pilots and mechanics, and talk with fair visitors viewing and touring a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, an armored Humvee, and learn what it takes to become a Soldier in the New York Army National Guard. This year, the Guard will actually land the Blackhawk helicopter at the Air Show for public display.

WHO: New York Army National Guard recruiters, pilots and mechanics

WHAT: Recruiting display at the Geneseo Air Show featuring a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, an armored Humvee, and pilots and mechanics who typically work on the vehicles. There will also be an opportunity to interview Soldiers there to meet with visitors, and talk about their National Guard experience.

WHEN: Saturday, July 11th and Sunday July 12th, 2015

WHERE: Geneseo Air Show, 3489 Big Tree Lane, Geneseo, NY 14454

Reporters looking for more information should contact Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Harvey at 585-760-4805

Background:

The New York Army National Guard, with a membership of about 10,500 Soldiers is currently at 100 percent strength. National Guard Recruiters, though, are continually seeking new Soldiers to fill job and education opportunities available in units across the state.

An Army National Guard recruiting team at the show is manning a mobile recruiting station at which visitors can find out about part-time jobs available as part of the Army National Guard. They can learn a little bit more about what 10,000 members of the New York Army National Guard do, and decide if they are interested in joining that team.

Recruiters, and Army National Guard Soldiers, will be prepared to discuss the benefits of National Guard membership-money for college, specialized skills training, and additional income-with attendees.

The New York Army National Guard has units located across the state. National Guard Soldiers can expect to serve at least one weekend a month and a couple of weeks during the year once they complete basic and advanced training. Other training opportunities require a greater time commitment.

Members of the Army National Guard have both a national and state function. Soldiers train as infantrymen, truck drivers, artillerymen, signal specialists, medics, and supply clerks or in other skills to prepare to deploy overseas into combat zones or for other federal missions. National Guard Soldiers also put those military skills to work here in New York when responding to state emergencies.

Members of the media are invited to stop by the National Guard recruiting station at the airshow as part of their fair coverage.

Throughout the summer months New York Army National Guard recruiters will be manning booths at county fairs to let the public and potential Soldiers know more about the force.