News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581

New York Airmen Participate in Albanian Medical Mission

Media Advisory

SCOTIA, NY (02/07/2008; 1200)(readMedia)-- Five medical technicians from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing will depart for Albania on Feb. 10 to spend three days in Albania instructing members of that country’s Army on vaccination procedures.

WHO: Five Capital Region residents belonging to New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia New York who will be traveling to Albanian, representatives of the 109th Airlift Wing and the New York National Guard.

WHAT: Briefing for members of the media on this unique mission, and an opportunity to interview the deploying Airmen.

WHEN: 12 p.m. (noon) Saturday Feb 9, 2008

WHERE: Stratton Air National Guard Base Clinic, Scotia New York.

VISUALS/COVERAGE OPPORTUNITES: Reporters will be able to interview medical personnel going on the mission as well as senior members of the National Guard who can explain the State Partnership Program. The briefing will take place in the 109th Mission Briefing room. B-roll of New York Air National Guard Medical Personnel in action will be available.

BACKGROUND: Master Sgt. James Welch, from Mechanicville; Master Sgt. David Morrison, a Broadalbin resident ; Technical Sergeants Jonathan Michael and Jacqueline Sweet-McNeil, of Queensbury and Lake George, respectively; and Staff Sgt. Maureen Moffet, who lives in Cortland will be traveling to Albania Feb 10-16 as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program in which the National Guard works with militaries around the world in bilateral partnership programs.

The Airmen will be traveling with Major General Glenn Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey, and commander of the New Jersey National Guard. He is making a visit to Albania as part of New Jersey’s State Partnership Program agreement with that country.

Although New Jersey is designated as Albania’s partner state, the New Jersey National Guard was not able to provide the medical personnel that the United States European Command requested accompany Major Gen. Rieth. The New York National Guard was asked if it could provide the needed medical technicians and the 109th Airlift Wing stepped up to the plate.

The Capitol Region Airmen will work with 10 members belonging to the Medical Platoon of the Albanian Army’s Rapid Reaction Brigade. They will train the Albanian medics in the proper way to administer the Hepatitis A vaccine by working with them to inoculate 1,000 local children.

The State Partnership Program is a National Guard initiative that is designed to grow relationships, enhance international security and build capacity among militaries in emerging nations. The military-to-military relationships help these militaries understand the concept of civilian control of the military and help them to modernize.

New York has had a bilateral State Partnership Program relationship with the Republic of South Africa since 2003 and routinely hosts delegations from that nation’s military.

Members of the media who wish to attend this briefing must contact Lt. Col. Kim Terpening at 518-344-2103 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 in order to gain access to this secure facility.

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