Courtesy Photo | New York Guard members train on a Mobile Emergency Command Center at Camp Smith...... read more read more
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BUFFALO, N.Y. - The New York Guard, New York's uniformed emergency response force, reactivates its unit at the Masten Avenue Armory here on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Unlike the New York Army or Air National Guard, members of the New York Guard are not in the federal military force, do not carry weapons, and do not conduct missions outside New York. Their role is to augment and assist the New York National Guard during state emergencies and National Guard domestic support missions as part of the state's military forces.
New York Guard elements are located at New York State armories across the state so they can assist local National Guard forces when required.
The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs is renaming the Buffalo- based New York Guard volunteers the 65th Regiment. Since 2010 they have been part of the 221st Engineer Battalion which is based in Rochester. This change provides for a Buffalo-based New York Guard unit.
New York Guard volunteers provide general support to the National Guard and specially trained New York Guard members also assist in chemical, biological, radiological response missions and provide an emergency high-frequency radio network for the state.
They volunteer their time to train on their skills and receive no pay for attending training meetings. They are paid by the state when assisting in disaster relief operations ordered by the governor.
Many members of the New York Guard are retired National Guard Soldiers and Airmen but members do not need prior military service to volunteer.
"New York Guard members are dedicated volunteers who take the skills they've learned in civilian life, or during previous military service, and put them to work for the people of New York," said Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the adjutant general of New York.
"The New York Guard volunteers play an important part in the plans the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs has in place for responding to state emergencies and natural disasters," Murphy said.
The New York Guard was first organized in 1917 after the New York National Guard was mobilized for service in Germany during World War I. In World War II the New York Guard was recreated when the New York National Guard was called up in October 1940. In the 1950s the New York Guard was created as a permanent entity.
The New York Guard names its units after famous New York regiments of the Civil War.
The original 65th Regiment was organized in July, 1861, and nicknamed the "First United States Chasseurs." The Civil War regiment defended Washington D.C. in August 1867 and fought in the Peninsular Campaign in 1861 as well as at Antietam, Spotsylvania Court House, and Cold Harbor and in the Shenandoah Valley. Of the 960 men who enlisted in the regiment more than 700 were killed, wounded or taken prisoner during the Civil War.
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2014 10:04 |
| Story ID: | 145317 |
| Location: | BUFFALO, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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