New York National Guard

New York National Guard
Unit name	New York National Guard
Caption	Flag of the New York National Guard
Dates	1906–present (federal recognition)
Country	United States
Allegiance	New York (state)
Branch	Army National Guard, Air National Guard
Type	Militia
Role	State defense and federal military reserve
Size	~20,000 personnel
Command structure	New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, National Guard of the United States
Garrison	Latham, New York
Garrison label	Headquarters
Commander1	Governor of New York
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	The Adjutant General of New York
Commander2 label	Senior Officer
Identification symbol label	Distinctive unit insignia

New York National Guard. It is a state military force and a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces, composed of the New York Army National Guard and the New York Air National Guard. The Governor of New York serves as its commander-in-chief, with operational control vested in the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and its senior officer, The Adjutant General. With a lineage tracing to colonial militias, it is one of the largest and most frequently deployed National Guard forces, supporting both state authorities and federal missions worldwide.

History

The origins trace to the colonial militia system of the 17th century, notably the Battalion of Free Men of Color in New Netherland. Units like the 7th New York Militia and the 69th Infantry Regiment gained fame during the American Civil War and the Irish Brigade. Following the Militia Act of 1903, the modern force was federally recognized in 1906. It saw extensive service in both World War I and World War II, with notable contributions from formations like the 27th Infantry Division. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, it responded to state emergencies like the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy, while also undertaking major federal combat deployments.

Organization

The force is bifurcated into the New York Army National Guard and the New York Air National Guard, both under the administrative control of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquartered in Latham, New York. The Governor of New York holds command authority for state missions, while the President of the United States can federalize the force. Major commands include the 53rd Troop Command, the 42nd Infantry Division, and the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing and 106th Rescue Wing. It maintains armories and facilities across the state, including at Fort Hamilton and Stratton Air National Guard Base.

Duties and missions

Its dual mission encompasses state duties under the authority of the Governor of New York and federal missions under the United States Department of Defense. State missions include responding to natural disasters like Hurricane Irene, civil disturbances, and supporting New York State Police and other agencies. Federal missions range from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to peacekeeping in the Sinai Peninsula and Kosovo. It also provides critical support for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) air sovereignty missions and United States Northern Command homeland defense tasks.

Major units

Key Army formations include the 42nd Infantry Division ("Rainbow Division"), the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 53rd Troop Command. Historic regiments such as the 69th Infantry Regiment ("Fighting Sixty-Ninth") remain active. The Air component is led by the 105th Airlift Wing operating the C-17 Globemaster III, the 106th Rescue Wing specializing in combat search and rescue, and the 174th Attack Wing which flies the MQ-9 Reaper. Other significant units are the 107th Attack Wing and the Eastern Air Defense Sector.

Notable deployments

For the September 11 attacks, thousands of personnel were activated for security and recovery operations at Ground Zero. Major overseas combat deployments include the 42nd Infantry Division's tour in Iraq (2004-2005) and sustained brigade rotations to Afghanistan. The 106th Rescue Wing has executed global rescue missions, while the 105th Airlift Wing regularly supports United States Transportation Command airlift operations. State emergency activations have addressed COVID-19 pandemic response, civil unrest, and winter storm disasters across Upstate New York.

Equipment and training

The Army Guard utilizes a standard United States Army inventory, including the M4 carbine, M2 Bradley fighting vehicles, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The Air Guard operates aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III, HC-130J Combat King II, and HH-60G Pave Hawk. Personnel train routinely at facilities like Fort Drum, Camp Smith, and the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force facility. Joint exercises with Army Reserve, active component forces, and NATO allies are conducted to maintain readiness for both homeland and overseas contingency operations.

Category:New York National Guard Category:1906 establishments in New York (state) Category:Military in New York (state)