An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 18, 2019

N.Y. Guard Airmen and Soldiers assist police with security

By Sgt. Andrew Valenza New York National Guard

NEW YORK – New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen went up in the air and down in the ground Jan. 10 and 14 as part of their mission to help law enforcement agencies deter terrorism in New York City.

The Soldiers and Airmen from Joint Task Force-Empire Shield, the New York National Guard's 700-person New York City security augmentation force, aided New York State troopers and other law enforcement officers Jan. 10 in Operation Catch-All, at the Verrazano- Narrows Bridge.

Then, on Jan. 14, they took part in a multi-agency surge, teaming up with the New York City Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, New York State Police and Amtrak Police, underground at Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan.

The Multi-Agency Super Surge, known as a MASS for short, floods critical railroad stations with security personnel as a deterrent. The joint task force service members – who serve in a state active-duty status – participate in these on a regular basis.

The Verrazano bridge mission is conducted regularly with members of the New York State Police based in New York City and the Tri-Borough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA).

According to Army National Guard Col. Peter Riley, the task force commander, nearly 237,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day. This means there is a chance one of those 237,000 cars and trucks could have a bomb on board.

As a counter measure, the State Police check vehicles periodically. They pick the vehicles to examine and the National Guard members provide backup.

"Whenever law enforcement stops a vehicle and inspects it, or if they have a K-9 unit go through, if they have anything suspicious like some explosives, we're there on over watch to support them." Riley said.

Since Sept. 17–19, 2016, when three bombs exploded and injured 31 people across New York City and several unexploded bombs were found, the National Guard task force has worked more closely with the State Police, Riley said. The Verrazano bridge missions are part of this, he said.

The Jan. 10 mission kicked off at 7 a.m. Eight joint task force members, in two teams of four, arrived at the Verrazano Bridge to provide over watch for the operation. The one team member carried an M4 and each Soldier or Airman had their own Glock pistol.

While state troopers and TBTA officers searched suspicious looking cars – ones with tinted windows, graffiti, or tampered license plates – the Guard members kept their eyes open to make sure everyone stayed safe.

Capt. Adam Connolly, the commander of the task force's Delta Company, said he thought that the bond between the Guard members and civilian police officers, has only been improving since their integration in January 2016.

"Ever since then, the cohesion built between [the task force] and state entities down here in the city has only increased and improved," said Connolly.

The MASS on Jan. 14, launched at 3 p.m. when commanders from each security force gathered outside of "Penn Station" to conduct a briefing to kick off the event.

For the next few hours, the 20 to 28 service members patrolled around the station, searching for anything suspicious.

A MASS is conducted at least once a month, or around holidays when the possibility of terrorism is at its highest.

Spc. Sharron Becket, a resident of Jamaica, New York, said he was glad to be a part of operations like these because of the opportunity he has to protect others.

"I do feel like I'm a part of something important." Becket said, "We hear about officers getting hurt all the time, and for me, if I can be a part of helping an officer stay safe, I'm all for it…I'm aware that there may be some danger to it, but I'm fine with that because I can make sure someone goes home to their family."

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group prepare dummies for a simulated casualty evacuation at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 17, 2025. The 108th Medical Company engaged in a weeklong field medical exercise to validate their readiness and elevate their medical and basic Soldier skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)
Pennsylvania Guard Medics Simulate Chaos in Exercise
By Capt. Christopher Booker, | July 18, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group, are engaged in a comprehensive two-week field medical exercise here.The...

Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Maintenance Group and 152nd Logistics Readiness Squadron personnel load Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipment onto MAFFS #8, aircraft #554 at the Nevada Air National Guard Base on July 12, 2025. U.S. Northern Command activated two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) Aircraft, one from the 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno, Nevada, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in California. Two C-130 aircraft equipped with MAFFS and their associated personnel will support firefighting efforts in the Western United States. The 152nd Airlift Wing’s “High Rollers” and 146th Airlift Wing's “Hollywood Guard” report on July 14, 2025, and will be initially based out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Base in California and are anticipated to be in place through August 14, 2025.
Nevada Air Guard Wing Assists in Firefighting Efforts
By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber, | July 18, 2025
RENO, Nev. – U.S. Northern Command has activated two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Aircraft, one from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno, Nevada, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing out of...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, join Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, the adjutant general of Texas, for an aerial assessment of flood-affected areas in Central Texas and to visit Guardsmen on duty supporting civil authorities with response efforts, Kerrville, Texas, July 15, 2025. To date, National Guard search and rescue operations, led by the Texas National Guard, have resulted in the rescue of more than 525 Texans. Hundreds of Guardsmen remain on mission to continue working with interagency partners in search and rescue and recovery operations.
Nordhaus, Raines see Heroism, Partnerships in Central Texas
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, | July 18, 2025
KERRVILLE, Texas – Early on July 4, almost 30 inches of rain fell within hours across Central Texas’s Hill Country, surging the Guadalupe River and triggering catastrophic flash flooding.Within hours, Texas National Guard...