New York National Guard

New York National Guard
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Unit name	New York National Guard
Dates	1903–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	State of New York
Branch	Army National Guard and Air National Guard
Type	Militia force
Role	State and federal missions
Garrison	Albany, New York
Battles	War of 1812, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Notable commanders	Theodore Roosevelt, Francis H. Pierrepont, Douglas MacArthur

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New York National Guard is the combined state military force composed of the New York Army National Guard and the New York Air National Guard, organized to provide state-level emergency response and federal military support. Originating from colonial militias and volunteer regiments, it traces antecedents through the Albany County militia, the New England Confederation, the Continental Army, and units that served in major conflicts such as the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. The force operates under dual state and federal authorities including the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and the United States Department of Defense.

History

The Guard's lineage includes colonial formations like the Albany County militia and Revolutionary units under George Washington and Philip Schuyler, with later service by regiments at the Battle of Saratoga and the Siege of Yorktown. During the War of 1812 New York troops served at the Battle of Plattsburgh and on the Great Lakes, while Civil War regiments such as the 20th New York Infantry Regiment (Turner Rifles) and the 69th New York Infantry Regiment (Irish Brigade) fought at Gettysburg and Antietam. The Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and the Mexican Expedition (1916–1917) further integrated state units with federal campaigns under leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and John J. Pershing. In World War I units were federalized into formations attached to the American Expeditionary Forces and in World War II formations served in theaters alongside the United States Army and United States Army Air Forces. Postwar reorganization followed the National Defense Act of 1916 and the National Guard Bureau reforms, with Cold War missions tied to NATO commitments and domestic responses during events such as the Great Blizzard of 1978 and the Attica Prison riot. After the September 11 attacks Guard units mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and supported state responses to Hurricane Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The force comprises the New York Army National Guard and the New York Air National Guard, administered through the Division of Military and Naval Affairs (New York) and coordinated with the National Guard Bureau. Command relationships include the Governor of New York as state commander-in-chief and federalization under the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense. Major subordinate commands include brigade-level formations such as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, aviation assets like the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade elements, and air units including the 106th Rescue Wing and the 107th Attack Wing. Support organizations encompass the New York State Guard and partnerships with the United States Northern Command for homeland defense. Administrative authorities interact with the Adjutant General of New York and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Primary missions include state emergency response under New York State Emergency Management Office, homeland defense in coordination with United States Northern Command, and federal overseas deployments under the Department of Defense. Domestic operations have included disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy, civil support during the 1977 New York City blackout, and public health support during the COVID-19 pandemic working alongside entities such as the New York State Department of Health and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Overseas missions integrated New York units into operations like Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Desert Storm, supporting counterinsurgency, peacekeeping with United Nations mandates, and stability operations in theater alongside NATO and allied forces.

Major Army units include the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 42nd Infantry Division's elements historically associated with the Rainbow Division, and aviation forces with the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade. Air components include the 106th Rescue Wing at Gabreski Air National Guard Base, the 107th Attack Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and support from the New York ANG's air control and communications squadrons. Installations and armories span Fort Drum, the New York Army National Guard Training Center at Fort Drum, the 41st Field Hospital locations, historic armories in New York City such as the Seventh Regiment Armory (New York), and readiness centers across upstate cities like Syracuse, New York, Rochester, New York, Buffalo, New York, Albany, New York, and Poughkeepsie, New York.

Training balances state emergency response exercises with federal readiness standards under the National Guard Bureau and the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. Annual training cycles include weekend drills at local armories, extended annual training at installations such as Fort Drum and Camp Smith, joint exercises with New Jersey National Guard and Massachusetts National Guard, and interoperability drills with United States Northern Command and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Specialized schools and programs involve aviation training with United States Air Force instructors, medical readiness in coordination with the United States Army Medical Command, and cybersecurity initiatives tied to the Department of Homeland Security and the National Guard Bureau Cybersecurity Directorate.

Since 2001 New York units deployed to Iraq War and War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), participating in operations like Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with roles in security, logistics, and reconstruction. Domestic missions included disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy and surge responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting vaccination sites and hospital augmentation alongside Centers for Disease Control and Prevention efforts. The Guard has provided homeland security for events such as the 2013 Boston Marathon Manhunt assistance, inauguration support for United States presidential inaugurations, and civil disturbance responses during protests in New York City in cooperation with the New York City Police Department and the Governor of New York's office.

Personnel with ties include historical leaders and public figures like Theodore Roosevelt, who led volunteer units in the Spanish–American War, commanders such as Douglas MacArthur in early career postings, and state Adjutants General with prominence in state affairs. Units have received campaign streamers and honors reflecting service in World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Awards and recognitions include federal mobilization citations from the Department of Defense, state commendations from the Governor of New York, and unit commendations tied to actions at engagements like Gettysburg and Saratoga in the Guard's ancestral lineage.

Category:Military units and formations in New York (state) Category:National Guard (United States)