New York National Guard Cavalry Squadron Changes Commanders on Saturday

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Lt. Col. Benjamin Richardson in Afghanistan.

• 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry Soldiers training at the National Training Center in California in September 2011.

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, NIAGARA FALLS , NY (09/14/2012)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Benjamin Richardson, an Oswego resident and Afghan War veteran, will take command of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment here on Saturday, Oct. 15. Richardson will take over from Lt. Col. Robert Williams, an Amherst resident and Afghan veteran, who has commanded the squadron since last year.

WHO: Lt. Col Benjamin Richardson, the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Robert Williams, the outgoing commander, Major General Steven Wickstrom, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, and the Soldiers of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry.

WHAT: A traditional military change of command in which the battalion colors, or flag, will be presented to Richardson, signifying the change in responsibility for the battalion's Soldiers and its mission. Traditionally the colors 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.

WHEN: 11 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 15, 2012. Members of the Press MUST be at the Lockport Road Gate of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station no later than 1030 to be escorted to the event.

WHERE: Niagara Falls Armed Forces Reserve Center, access through Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, 2028 Lockport Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304

Members of the press must contact 2nd Lt. Andrew Carducci at (cell) 716-829-9695 to gain access to this secure military facility No Later Than 1000 on Saturday, Sept. 15.

Coverage Opportunities:

Reporters will be able to interview the incoming and outgoing commanders and leaders. Visual imagery opportunities include the change of command ceremony and Soldiers in formation.

BACKGROUND:

2nd Battalion 101st Cavalry

New York Army National Guard's 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry is the reconnaissance element of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Knows as a RSTA-standing for Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition-- unit the squadron is configured to collect intelligence on the battlefield as the eyes and ears of the other elements of the brigade.

The Squadron was organized out of the 1st Battalion 127th Armor when the New York Army National Guard reorganized in 2005 and 2006.

Soldiers of the 1-127th Armor served as security elements at military locations across the northeast as part of OperationNoble Eagle, following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The 2nd squadron 101st Cavalry served in Afghanistan in 2008, providing security forces at a number of installations. The unit has elements in Jamestown, Geneva, and the Masten Avenue Armory in Buffalo, as well as the Niagara Falls Armed Forces Reserve Center where Headquarters and Headquarters Troop is located.

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Richardson:

Lt.. Col. Ben Richard, a Social Studies teacher at Oswego High School in civilian life, has served in the New York Army National Guard since 1990. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 and 2009 as the leader of a Provincial Police Monitoring Team working with Afghan police officers.

Richardson received his commission through the Officers Candidate School program.He has held a variety of positions during his military career to include infantry and scout platoon leader, infantry and cavalry company commander, a plans and operations officer, intelligence officer, and strategic plans officer at the battalion, brigade and division level. His most recent assignment was as a liaison officer of the 42nd Infantry Division.

Along with his year-long combat tour in Afghanistan, Richardson served as the commander of the National Guard airport security detail in Rochester from October to December 2001 following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He Also served as the intelligence officer for the 1,500-member National Guard force mobilized to help provide security during the 2004 Republican National Convention in New York City.

Richardson holds a Bachelor of Arts in History, Government and International Relations from Cornell University and a Masters of Military Studies in Unconventional Warfare from American Military University.

Richardson's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the NATO Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the New York State Physical Fitness Medal and the New York State Humanitarian Service Medal.

He and his wife Nancy Richardson have a daughter, Claire and a son, Dane.