CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. — Four hundred members of the New York Army and Air National Guard, New York Naval Militia, and New York Guard were on state active duty on March 8 in response to two nor’easter snowstorms.
The storms left as many as 323,000 homes and businesses without power at one point.
The New York Military Force members deployed in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Sullivan counties for debris clearance missions, health and wellness checks, and assisted power crews in restoring lines by conducting “wire guard” missions.
"This is an all-hands-on-deck situation and the people of the Hudson Valley should know that New York State is doing everything we can to restore power and help them recover as quickly as possible,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo about response efforts on March 4 following the first storm.
The first storm hit New York on March 2, dumping as much as 2 feet of snow in some places.
The governor initially called for 100 Guard troops on March 3 to assist local governments but then increased that number to 200 on March 4.
60 Soldiers from the 53rd Troop Command moved to Sullivan County to assist in clearing roads there, while 20 Airmen from the 105th Airlift Wing deployed to Putnam County to help clear roads. Other Army Guard troops and New York Guard members moved to Camp Smith as a reserve and logistical support.
On March 7-8 a second nor’easter storm hit, dumping another foot of snow on the Hudson Valley where power crews were still working to bring power back on line for almost 100,000 customers.
The governor increased the number of Guard troops to 400.
More Soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division came on duty, and additional members of the New York Naval Militia volunteers.
Twenty Airmen from the 174th Attack Wing and Twenty Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing moved to the New Windsor Armed Forces Reserve Center to be available for missions.
More than 100 members of Joint Task Force Empire Shield also moved north to assist in the Hudson Valley.
Guard troops moved into Rockland County to provide assistance and more elements deployed in Westchester County. In Westchester Guard Soldiers teamed up with the Red Cross to provide blankets and a presence at senior center when the staff was unable to get to work because of heavy snowfall.
New York Naval Militia members conducted debris clearance and wire guard missions while also running the dining facility at Camp Smith Training Site. This was especially challenging because power was out at Camp Smith for a time.
New York Guard members conducted chainsaw training classes for troops heading out on debris clearance missions and provided logistical and mission command support at Camp Smith.
“The more the merrier—blue, green—working together to accomplish the same mission for the community,” said Major David Myones, the executive officer of the 369th Special Troops Battalion, in describing the mission.
By March 12 the bulk of the troops had been sent back to home station but a handful of Naval Militia members remained on duty as a third storm, and less snow intensive, storm hit March 13.
They were released by March 14.
Overall, said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Wolf, a heavy equipment operator from the 105th Airlift Wing, the exercise was typical of what the National Guard does.
“It’s part of being in the Guard, it’s our duty,” Wolf said. “It’s nice to help out.”
( Tech Sgt. Julio Olivencia contributed to this story)