New York Naval Militia, National Guard hold exercise on Hudson River Saturday , Sept. 8

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New York Naval Militia landing craft LC-350 transporting a 2nd Civil Support Team vehicle during training in August.

RENSSELAER (09/07/2018) (readMedia)-- The New York Naval Militia and the New York National Guard will be conducting a training exercise Saturday, Sept. 8 on the Hudson River and at Peebles Island State Park.

The exercise will test the ability of the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team to deploy a biological, chemical, and radiological survey team using the Naval Militia's new landing craft, LC-350.

The 2nd Civil Support Team, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base, is trained to identify biological, chemical, radiological or nuclear weapons and provide local authorities with advice on how to deal with them.

The exercise calls for the 2nd CST to load a team and vehicle onto the landing craft in Rensselaer and then deploy it north on the Hudson River to Peebles Island State Park. The Civil Support Team members will debark at Peebles Island and set up their equipment. They will then break down their forward operating location and redeploy back to Rensselaer.

The exercise will take place Saturday morning starting at around 9 a.m.

The Hudson River drill is part of a larger Naval Militia training exercise known as Rapid Gunwale.

Two Naval Militia patrol boats will also conduct training at Great Sacandaga Lake with vessels from the Saratoga and Fulton County sheriff's office as part of the exercise.

Forty Naval Militia personnel will take part in the exercise.

The New York Naval Militia is comprised of members of the Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve, who volunteer to perform state duty as well. They put their military training and skills at the service of the state.

The New York Naval Militia maintains a fleet of ten patrol boats in its Military Emergency Boat Service.