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 | Aug. 27, 2011

New York Gov. Cuomo mobilizes almost 2,000 National Guard Soldiers, Airmen

NEW YORK, N.Y. - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has mobilized almost 2,000 New York National Guard troops and more Soldiers will come on duty on Sunday as New York prepares for Hurricane Irene.

On Friday, the governor announced that 900 New York Army and Air National Guard Soldiers and Airmen would be mobilized and deployed to Long Island, New York City and the Hudson Valley.

On Saturday afternoon – after visiting members of the 206th Military Police Company and the 109th Airlift Wing deploying from the Capital Region – the governor announced the mobilization and deployment of 1,000 more Guardsmen and women, mostly to New York City.

"It is important to take every precaution as we prepare for the impact of Hurricane Irene," Cuomo said. "I have deployed additional members of the New York National Guard to make sure the evacuation process runs smoothly and to help with the emergency response efforts."

On Sunday, another 300 Guard members – assigned to the 204th Engineer Battalion-with units in Binghamton, Buffalo, Horseheads, and Kingston – will deploy to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.

The additional members of the National Guard will be deployed to downstate New York, including Long Island, New York City, and the Hudson Valley.

The members of the National Guard will assist with traffic control on bridges and tunnels, sandbagging operations at the World Trade Center site, evacuation shelter operations in New York City, the construction of barriers for railway yards and train tunnels, and other hurricane emergency efforts.

The members of the National Guard called up on Saturday came from the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery and 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, which are headquartered in New York City and have elements on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley, along with the 101st Signal Battalion, which is headquartered in Yonkers and has companies in Orangeburg and Peekskill.

Elements of the New York Naval Militia, which is comprised of Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard Reservists, will also be called up to assist.

The 88th Brigade of the New York Guard, the state's volunteer defense force, will also assist in this effort.

If necessary, 12,466 Airmen and Soldiers with more than 680 vehicles; 16 Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters; and 4 CH-47 Chinook helicopters; along with 10 C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft and 6 HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters assigned to the Air National Guard are ready to respond.

"We want to thank the members of the Guard for their service and their sacrifice as they head out this morning for New York City and Long Island," Cuomo said.

National Guard Soldiers and Airmen began moving to Long Island, New York City, and the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill in the Hudson Valley from locations across the state Saturday morning. Convoys and buses left from the Albany area, Auburn, Utica, Syracuse and Queensbury and Airmen from western New York flew into the Hudson Valley.

 

 

Related Articles
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony Gonzalez, fire protection craftsman assigned to the 156th Civil Engineer Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, extinguishes a fire during a Deployment for Training (DFT) at Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 25, 2025. During the DFT, the 156th CES developed their skill proficiency in a new area of responsibility while supporting real-world projects that support the U.S. European Command operations.
Puerto Rico Air Guard Conducts Deployment for Training at Aviano
By Senior Airman Victoria Jewett, | July 7, 2025
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — U.S. Airmen with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard 156th Civil Engineer Squadron conducted a Deployment for Training June 16-27 in Italy to develop their skills proficiency within the U.S. European...

Airmen from the 168th Wing Medical Group, along with their counterparts from other Air National Guard units, conduct radiation monitoring during field training at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, June 2025. The training enhances the unit’s ability to detect and respond to radiological threats in deployed or contingency environments.
Alaska Air Guard 168th Medical Group Trains for High-Stakes Missions
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 7, 2025
ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich. — The Alaska Air National Guard 168th Wing Medical Group continues to strengthen its operational edge, proving lethality in today’s battlespace isn’t just about combat power -...

Civic leaders and newly commissioned U.S. Air Force pilot trainees gather with the 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew following an aerial refueling mission during Red Flag-Alaska 25-2, June 24, 2025. The event provided participants with a unique opportunity to witness the complex coordination and precision required for refueling U.S. and allied aircraft in flight. This experience highlighted the critical role the 168th Wing plays in sustaining readiness and strengthening defense capabilities throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2
By Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey, | July 3, 2025
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing hosted a civic leader flight June 24 that offered local leaders an opportunity to view an aerial refueling mission over the Joint Pacific Alaska...