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 | July 16, 2020

NY Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade begins summer training

By 1st Lt. Lauren Warner New York National Guard

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team began their annual training season this week at their home armories, Fort Devens in Massachusetts, Camp Smith near Peekskill and Fort Drum in the North Country.

The training runs from July 11 to July 31.

The brigade will continue to support the state’s pandemic response with hundreds of Soldiers participating in COVID-19 testing sites, food distribution support or critical supply warehousing. But the leadership must also ensure that Soldiers are training to maintain their readiness for future missions despite the restrictions required to control the spread of the coronavirus.

“As the 27th brigade continues to support New York state’s comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot forget our commitment to the Army and our nation to maintain the readiness required to execute the organization’s wartime mission,” said Col. Robert Charlesworth, the 27th brigade commander.

New Yorkers may notice an increase in tactical military vehicles on highways and other roads near armories as the units conduct movements to training locations.

The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is headquartered in Syracuse, but the units in the brigade structure span New York State. More than 550 Soldiers in the brigade will conduct their annual training this July.

Instead of previously scheduled large-scale exercises, units will focus on weapons proficiency, equipment maintenance, and other individual readiness requirements, Charlesworth said.

Some of the key training units will conduct includes:

  • The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, headquartered in New York City, with companies in Farmingdale and Camp Smith near Peekskill, will conduct individual training at their home station armories.
  • The 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, headquartered in Niagara Falls, with companies in Niagara Falls, Geneva, Jamestown and Buffalo, will focus on marksmanship, individual training and basic soldiering skills at Fort Drum.
  • The 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, from Jamaica, Queens, with batteries in the Bronx and New Windsor, will conduct combat lifesaver, land navigation, radar emplacement, and howitzer training at Camp Smith.
  • The 427th Brigade Support Battalion headquartered in Syracuse, with companies in Rochester, Fort Drum and Buffalo, will conduct joint training at Fort Drum with the Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing on parachuting supplies to Soldiers in the field.
  • The 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Buffalo, with companies in Lockport and Rochester, will conduct demolition operations, combat lifesaver, marksmanship, and driver training.
  • The 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, headquartered in Utica, with companies in Geneseo, Ogdensburg, Saranac Lake, Glenville and Gloversville, will conduct sniper, team live-fire, and mortar operations. In addition to the annual exercises, the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, will hold its Best Warrior Competition at the Geneseo Armory.

“Although our 2020 training plans were significantly impacted by the pandemic, the 27th brigade headquarters will still execute an annual training period this month at Fort Drum, New York,” Charlesworth said.

The brigade last deployed to Ukraine as the lead element in a joint training group in 2017-18. Before that, the brigade deployed to Kuwait in 2012, Afghanistan in 2008-09, and elements of the brigade deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005.

In addition to the current COVID-19 response, 27th brigade Soldiers responded to Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

The “Orion” brigade is the nickname for the 27th brigade. The term references the Greek mythology “hunter,” and the last name of Maj. Gen. John F. O’Ryan, who commanded the 27th Division in World War I.

O’Ryan was the only division commander in the National Guard to lead his unit throughout World War I. His name is now incorporated into the division’s patch, which displays the Orion constellation.

 

 

Related Articles
United States Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Bank, the commander of the New York Air National Guard and Swedish air force Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, chief of the Swedish air force, pose for a photo during a visit to Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, NY, Apr. 7. During the visit, which was part of a state partnership program engagement, Wikman also toured the Eastern Air Defense Sector and an Air Force Research Laboratory facility in Rome, NY.
New York Guard Hosts Swedish Air Force Leader
By Alexander Rector, | April 17, 2025
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The head of the Swedish air force got a first hand look at New York Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper operations during his recent visit to Hancock Field Air National Guard Base.Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman of the...

New York Army National Guard Soldiers take on the 12-mile ruck march to test endurance and resilience during the 2025 State Best Warrior Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill, N.Y., April 5, 2025. The Best Warrior Competition, held April 7-11, 2025, is an annual event in which junior enlisted Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from various units compete in several events intended to test their military skills and knowledge, as well as their physical fitness and endurance.
Cavalry and Infantry Soldiers Win N.Y. Army Guard Best Warrior Competition
By Staff Sgt. Richard Trinh, | April 15, 2025
CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. – After four days of physically demanding tasks, mental challenges and military skill assessments, a cavalry scout and infantryman earned top honors in this year’s New York Army National Guard...

Swedish Army Corporal Simon Drie Runnander, receives an award from New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Edwin Garris, to mark his participation in the New York National Guard Best Warrior Competition, during a dinner at the United States Military Academy at West Point on April 10, 2025. Drie Runnander and Pvt. Jasper Petersson, took part in the annual Best Warrior event as part of the New York National Guard State Partnership Program.
Swedish Soldiers Compete in NY Guard Competition
By Staff Sgt. Richard Trinh and Eric Durr, | April 15, 2025
CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. — Two soldiers from the Swedish Armed Forces competed with New York Army National Guard troops during the 2025 Best Warrior Competition last week. Swedish Cpl. Simon Drie Runnander and Pvt...