New York Troops Head for Arizona

Mid-Hudson News
July 6, 2006

New York National Guard to send contingent to Southwest border security mission

The New York National Guard is sending a composite company of infantry soldiers this weekend to Arizona to join with hundreds of National Guard troops from other states as part of Operation Jump Start. Included in that contingent will be members of the “Fighting 69th” from Camp Smith in Cortlandt Manor.

Approximately 150 members of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry will depart this Saturday from Fort Drum to begin a 15 day annual training period in Arizona to support the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help prevent and deter illegal immigration through the Southwest border states.

A composite infantry company under the command of Company A, based in Geneseo, has been formed by assigning platoons and teams from each of the battalion’s subordinate companies across upstate New York and from other units of the New York National Guard. Troops assigned to units at 12 different armories from across the state are assigned to this mission.

Medical and administrative staff from the Utica and Rome armories have been assigned to this team, while infantry troops are coming from Batavia, Morrisonville, Ogdensburg, Saranac lake, Gloversville, Hoosick Falls, and Ithaca. Vehicle drivers from the 427th Support Battalion are coming from the Schenectady armory and additional medics are being assigned to the unit from Company C, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, the “Fighting 69th” from Camp Smith, Cortlandt Manor.