News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-419-5186

New York Air Guard Recruits 100 Percent of Authorized Strength

174th Fighter Wing Has Successful Recruiting Year

SYRACUSE, NY (10/23/2008; 1451)(readMedia)-- The New York Air National Guard exceeded its recruiting goal for fiscal year 2008; recruiting 114 additional Citizen Airmen and ending the year with an end strength of 6,084 members.

The New York Air National Guard, the largest of the 54 State and Territorial Air National Guards, is authorized 6,048 members. The fiscal 2008 recruiting success puts that New York Air Guard at more than 100 percent strength.

"We are very pleased with the outstanding job that our recruiters from throughout the state and members of the entire New York Air National Guard family are doing to bring extraordinary men and women into the New York Air National Guard," said Col. Tony Basile the Deputy Chief of Staff of the New York Air National Guard.

"For the first time in the history of our Air Guard, 100 new recruits were enlisted in one month (September 2008), giving us more than 100% of authorized strength.

The New York Air National Guard is comprised of five Air Wings-based in Niagara Falls, Syracuse, Schenectady, Newburgh, and eastern Long Island-and the Northeast Air Defense Sector in Rome New York.

The 174th Fighter Wing, based at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base recruited 200 new members in 2008.

" The 174th Fighter Wing had an extraordinary year of recruiting," said Col. Kevin Bradley, the wing's commander.

" I'm extremely proud of my recruiters and of every member of this organization. Of our 200 enlistments for the year, 30% were from unit member referrals. That speaks volumes about the teamwork and commitment at every level of this organization," he said.

The 174th, which is in the process of transitioning from operating F-16C fighters to the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle, deployed about 200 Airmen and fighters to Iraq this summer.

New York Air National Guard members constantly rotate in and out of combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan and 255 Citizen Airmen are currently deployed.

Unlike the Air Force Reserve, members of the Air National Guard also serve in New York State emergencies and in homeland security missions, at the direction of Governor David Paterson.

"The New York Air National Guard's success means that our units will be able to meet any demand that the nation requires, whether it is in support of the Global War on Terrorism or humanitarian missions throughout the Unites States or around the world," said Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and commander of the New York National Guard.

"It also means that we will continue to be ready to respond to any mission directed by our state Commander-in-Chief, Governor David Paterson," Taluto added.

"For more than 6,000 citizens of New York State, wearing the Air Force uniform is more than a job, it is a deeply rooted calling" Basile said. I am pleased to see that more and more young people are pursuing the opportunity to serve our country and state at this time of historic challenge for our military."

-30-