New York Naval Militia conducting readiness exercise June 5-6 on Niagara River and Lake Ontario

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An ATV is unloaded from a Naval Militia landing craft during training in 2024.

YOUNGSTOWN, NEW YORK (06/03/2025) (readMedia)-- Thirty-five New York Naval Militia and New York Guard members will be conducting an emergency response exercise June 5-6 on the lower Niagara River and Lake Ontario, alongside the Coast Guard and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

The exercise named "Empire Challenge", will be centered on Coast Guard Station Niagara and Fort Niagara State Park.

The joint training exercise scenario is built around supporting law enforcement authorities working to stop drug smuggling by boat from Canada to the United States.

The exercise participants will test their ability to communicate and respond to emergencies including a person in the water, and a boat fire.

The drill will involve testing a wide range of communication platforms.

The New York Naval Militia will also be conducting drone operations during the training. The Unmanned Aerial Systems-the formal military name for drones-will be launched on reconnaissance missions.

"Exercise Empire Challenge, is primarily an emergency communications event," said Capt. Don McKnight, the commander of the Naval Militia's Military Emergency Boat Service.

"The exercise allows us to test new capabilities and functions alongside our many law enforcement and first responder partners," McKnight added.

The New York Naval Militia is a 3,200- member force of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard reservists who also volunteer to serve in the state force. The Naval Milita operates a fleet of 11 patrol boats in the Military Emergency Boat Service.

The New York Guard is a small totally volunteer state defense force whose members augment the New York National Guard during emergencies.

Both the New York Naval Milita and the New York Guard are components of the New York Military Forces alongside the New York Army and Air National Guard.

The training scenario allows the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard to improve their ability to operate with the US Coast Guard, and state and local law enforcement agencies.

The New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is also involved in the joint training.

"Each year, we have improved our ability to respond to various contingencies, to work out the kinks in our systems, and plan for future opportunities," McKnight said.

A delegation from the Swedish Navy will be observing the exercise.

The New York National Guard has a State Partnership Program training and exchange relationship with the Swedish military.

"We are especially delighted this year with our budding relationship with the Swedish Navy through the State Partnership Program," McKnight said.

"The Swedish Navy's participation in this exercise on the Niagara Frontier will further solidify that relationship," McKnight said.

"Exercise Empire Challenge demonstrates the benefit of New York being the only state in the nation with the ability to activate United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reservists to State Active Duty in support of the New York National Guard," said Rear Admiral Michael Perry, the commander of the New York Naval Milita. `