News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: Eric Durr, (518) 429-5186

Media Advisory

National Guard Medical Company Returns From Iraq Service

LATHAM, NY (10/05/2007; 1511)(readMedia)-- Members of the N.Y. Army National Guard’s 466th Area Support Medical Company from Glens Falls return home to family and friends at Albany International Airport. The unit recently completed demobilization following its successful deployment to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

WHAT: Return home of members of the N.Y. Army National Guard’s 466th Area Support Medical Company from overseas deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom

WHEN: 11 a.m. – 12:50 p.m. Sunday, October 7, 2007. First arrival of nine Soldiers at 10:57 a.m. on United Airlines flight 5390 Second group of 18 Soldiers arriving at 11:45 a.m. on Northwest flight 1522 Third group of seven Soldiers arriving at 12:47 p.m. on US Airlines flight 4482. Lt. Col. Green, the unit commander, arrives with the third and final group of Soldiers.

WHERE: Soldiers return via commercial air to Albany International Airport

WHO: Thirty-four National Guard Soldiers from the Capital Region reunite with family and friends upon their return home from the unit’s one-year deployment.

UNIT BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The 466th Area Support Medical Company mobilized for federal service and left their home armory in Glens Falls N.Y. for OIF on July 1, 2006. After two months of training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, the unit deployed to Iraq on October 8, 2006.

The 80 Soldiers of the unit were then split into four different locations in the theatre. There, they managed a combat hospital and three forward bases medical sites within theatre. The unit was the sole provider of medical care from Kuwait up to Baghdad. The unit handled hundreds of life saving operations while living under the threat of indirect fire themselves.

The unit supported more than 30,000 casualties during their tour of duty in Iraq and Kuwait. This support included not only U.S. and other Coalition forces, but the medical treatment of Iraqi civilians and enemy forces as well.

The Soldiers will return to Albany Airport for reunions with family members in groups throughout Sunday morning. Contact Mr. Doug Myers, Public Relations Manager at the Albany International Airport, 242-2222 or 2253 for media access at the facility.

For more information contact the Public Affairs Office at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs at (518) 786-4581. Visit our web site for current photos and stories of the New York National Guard at www.dmna.state.ny.us.

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