News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581, MSG Corine Lombardo (518) 786-4581

Media Opportunity

New York National Guard Conducts “Media Lift” to Fort Drum

LATHAM, NY (09/25/2007; 1059)(readMedia)-- The New York Army and Air National Guard are offering reporters a chance to observe New York's citizen Soldiers and Airmen in action.

WHAT: “Media Lift” Opportunity for New York City, Hudson Valley and Capital District media to observe 109th Airlift Wing operations and 27th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers preparing for 2008 deployment to Afghanistan .

WHEN: Tuesday Oct 16, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: C-130 Aircraft departs and returns from Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, NY and Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh New York. After landing at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, reporters will visit Soldiers training at Fort Drum.

WHO: Reporters from the New York metropolitan area, the Hudson Valley, and the Capital Region visit 109th Airlift Wing and 27th BCT personnel.

BACKGROUND: The 27th Brigade Combat Team is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan in 2008 to become the headquarters for Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, an international force with the mission of training the Afghan National Army.

Other elements of the Brigade will provide security and conduct training for the Afghan Army. The BCT is conducting three weeks of Annual Training at Fort Drum as part of their train-up for this mission. This Annual Training is an integral part of an Army initiative to ensure that National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are not mobilized for longer than 12 months. The preliminary training reduces the time the Soldiers must spend at their mobilization station.

Approximately 300 of these 1,700 Soldiers are from the New York City area. Reporters will be given an opportunity to observe Soldiers training on countermine warfare, hand-to-hand combat, Army soldier skills, and weapons familiarization. The BCT Commander, COL Brian Balfe will be available for comment and reporters will also be able to observe the Soldier Readiness Process during which inoculations are given to soldiers and their paperwork is prepared.

The 109th Airlift Wing has just finished a deployment to Afghanistan. Airmen will be available to talk to the media about their experiences operating in the Afghan combat zone. Along with their war fighting responsibilities, members of the 109th Airlift Wing crew the only aircraft in the United States military inventory capable of landing on ice. The wing supplies scientific outposts in the Arctic and Antarctic.

REQUIREMENTS: Interested press representatives must contact Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Press Office no later than October 5 to reserve space on this flight. Press must be ready to provide names and Social Security numbers of those who will fly on the plane in advance of the mission. Participating reporters must provide e-mail addresses and phone numbers so they can be contacted. Reporters should dress for outdoor activity.

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