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Indian Point Nuclear Preparedness Exercise
Military Forces Participate in FEMA Evaluation: White Plains, NY -- As authorized by the Adjutant General, New York Guard and Naval Militia personnel participated in an exercise of the Indian Point Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) plan. The scenario involved the Indian Point number 2 nuclear power generating plant on the Hudson River in Buchanan, Westchester County, NY. The plant is operated by Consolidated Edison and was evaluated on site by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Off site the exercise was evaluated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The New York Guard and the Naval Militia train and exercise to support civil government in radiological emergencies. Participating state military forces were the 56th Brigade New York Guard under the command of Brigadier General Richard Crabtree and Region 1, New York Naval Militia, commanded by Marine Colonel Wayne J. McGrath.
The four counties involved in the exercise (Orange, Putnun, Rockland & Westchester) as well as the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) were tested to evaluate their implementation of the Indian Point REP Plan in the interest of public health and safety. While the SEMO and four county Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) were the site of the principle command post exercise (CPX) on June 24th, many other aspects of the plan were exercised and evaluated out-of-sequence over the previous three months. Among the most noteworthy was the operation of the emergency reception center the Eastchester High School on May 26th. New York Guard Soldiers supported the medical, personnel, radiological monitoring and security functions at the reception center. The volunteers applied the military skills they had learned to a peace time support for civil authority.
Commenting on the activities at Eastchester, the Westchester County Fire Coordinator Walter Groden said, "... outstanding job. I was very impressed with the New York Guard at the Reception Center ... good job in support of radiological, security and administrative people."
In the Westchester EOC in the sub-basement of the County Office Building in White Plains, County Executive Andrew J. Spano was in command of the response, assisted by emergency management Director William A. Murphy (Captain, NY NM). Mr. Spano, simultaneously wearing his other hat as the Chairman of the four county Nuclear County Nuclear Safety Committee, also assured, via the "Executive Hot Line," that the four counties cooperated and coordinated with SEMO. To demonstrate 2 4 hour response capability, the County Executive and Director (as well as the various agency representatives) were relieved on station by their deputies during the course of the exercise.
Coordinating activities in the Operations Room at the EOC was Tony Morra (CPT, NYG) the coordinator of the Four County Nuclear Safety Committee. DNMA Liaison was performed on various days by BG Richard Crabtree, 56th Bde, LTC Allan Pogorzelski, HQ NYG and MAJ Patrick Roderick , 56th Bde. coordinating the simulated response of military forces to the scenario and supporting three general population reception centers in Westchester.
Naval Militia observers in the EOC were COL Wayne McGrath, NY NM and CPT Walter Johanson, NY NM. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New York was represented by LT(JG) Alma Kenneally, USCG and LT(JG) Sam Caldwell. USCGR consecutively coordinated the coast guard public health and safety function on the Hudson River.
Representing the US Air Force was the New York Wing Civil Air Patrol (CAP), which this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the New York State DMNA. The local Westchester unit of this Congressionally chartered USAF Auxiliary, the South Easter Group, has the capability of "real time - slow scan television" to a receiver at the EOC or other ground location, as well as aerial reconnaissance and aerial radiological monitoring. CAP light aircraft could also be used to fly samples collected by field monitors to the state laboratories in Albany. In the Emergency Operation Center the CAP liaison function was performed through the exercise by (CAP) MAJ Stan Rothman, CPT Greg Squires and CPT Gladys Suessle. CAP air crews stood by at three airports in the area (Westchester County, Orange County and Dutchess County) to simulate support for the exercise. The public information function in a major emergency is performed at a Joint News Center (JNC), convenient to the news media, but out of harms way, and also removed from involvement directly with emergency communications, command and control at the command post the EOC. At the Joint News Center NYG Public Affairs personnel assist the local government public information officers. The JNC at the Westchester County Airport is in the old Air National Guard Headquarters building. Press briefings are now being held in the same flight briefing room, which once saw military flight mission briefings.
An observer from the French national Nuclear Installation Safety Directorate (DSIN), Serge Roudier, observing his first American REP exercise, was impressed with what he called support in depth. "The State, the county, the volunteer, the professional -- these show a support in depth, which is very good. In France, we rely upon the (national) government and the department - like your county - to prepare for emergency."
At the after action debriefing, conducted by FEMA and NRC at the JNC two days after the exercise, there was high praise for the conduct of the operation at the Westchester County EOC -(observed by this writer)- the field monitoring teams and the traffic control points, as well as the JNC operations. Emergency management Director William J. Murphy shared his thoughts, "These high marks also reflect the commitment of BG Crabtree and the 56th Brigade, New York Guard to radiological preparedness in support of civil authority."
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan Pogorzelski, NYG Public Affairs Officer, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224. Phone and Fax: (914) 747-2820.
Operation Ice Storm `98
New York Guard uses New Skills
Citizen Soldiers of the New York Guard were called to aid the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) during the recent winter disaster designated Operation Ice Storm `98. They served in several roles including with the Generator Task Force Group.
Almost 3,000 members of the State Militia Forces (Army and Air National Guard, Naval Militia and the NY Guard) were activated during the operation and served in various counties in Northern and Western New York.
Approximately 40 members of the New York Guard (the state volunteer reserve force) were put on `stand by' in their home communities and 21 members served 12 hour shifts as a special support unit, the Generator Task Force Group, at the SEMO headquarters in the State Public Security Building at the State Campus in Albany.
The soldiers of the NY Guard recently completed a year long training program (Fundamentals of Computer Technology), designed to develop computer skills for use during emergencies. These skills were used for a three week period in support of the various activities during the operation.
As the scope of the disaster grew, more communities needed emergency electric power. Ice brought cables and power lines down, throughout the area. Portable generators were available from FEMA, (some which were brought in from Alabama, Texas and Kentucky) SEMO, other state agencies, and local sources. A system was needed to account for, identify, locate, establish need and distribute the generators. The New York Guard soldiers using their newly polished computer skills, established and maintained the data base to distribute and track over 400 power units distributed throughout the disaster area. CPT Kimball Parker XO 3/56 Battalion, NYG and a member of the task force commented, "All troops felt tremendous satisfaction assisting the NY Army National Guard and the people of upstate New York."
BG John F. Bahrenburg, Deputy Commander of the New York Guard, praised the soldiers who had performed so admirably during the crisis. "This is an example of the type of special help the volunteers of the New York Guard can provide, at so little cost to the people of the state of New York. I thank and commend them all for their contribution to the success of this project."
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, PAO NYG, 2 Virginia Place, Pleasantville, NY 10570. Phone and fax: (914) 747-2820.
-- Value to the State --
NYG Report on Annual Contributions
CAMP SMITH Peekskill, NY -- The New York Guard has provided thousands of dollars worth of service in 1997 providing New York taxpayers with direct savings -- that was the conclusion reported to the unit commanders at the annual commanders' conference. According to the internal audit conducted by the Office of the Chief of Staff of the New York Guard Joint Staff as reported by Vice Chief of Staff Colonel Thomas Cleland.
"In 1997 the New York Guard provided direct savings of over $226 thousand to the State of New York providing direct support to 30 federal and state military units, facilities, programs and civilian agencies," said BG John Bahrenburg, Deputy Commander of the New York Guard. "We did not have the floods or snows of 1996, but we continued our mission of support and had another outstanding year of service to our state and nation."
The Guard provided free legal and medical services to units of the Army and Air National Guard, the Naval Militia, ChalleNGe Program, the National Guard Corps of Cadets. Continued support of the United States Military Academy West Point Range training program and engineering help to various National Guard units kept members busy, as well as on going programs to local community groups such as the American Red Cross Chapters, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (69th Veterans) and American Legion posts.
Last year , the New York Guard supported the annual Legislative Breakfast to help inform the New York Congressional delegation of the needs of the New York Military and Naval family. The National Guard College Bill was supported and encouraged by New York Guard members at all levels to grant that incentive and well deserved recognition to our State Militia soldiers.
So far this year, the New York Guard had two dozen soldiers on State Active Duty, involved in the Generator Task Force during Operation Ice Storm '98. This Task Force tracked and controlled the location of more than 800 generators from various sources to help the northland during the crisis. Continued support in medical, administrative and legal areas for federal and state national guard unit have already kept New York Guard professionals busy. The reorganization of the New York Guard into a Joint Force with both an Army Division and an Air Division presents various possibilities for increased support to State and Federal organizations, which can result in additional savings to the taxpayers.
The New York Guard started maintaining records of monthly activities three years ago. Major Subordinate Commanders (MSC) submit monthly reports to the Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff of activities of their personnel in support or contact with units or agencies outside the New York Guard organization.
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, PAO NYG, 2 Virginia Place, Pleasantville, NY 10570. Phone and fax: (914) 747-2820.
NYG Honors the First Provisional Regiment
Sleepy Hollow, NY - In spite of threatening weather, over 150 people, soldiers of the New York Guard, veterans, friends and family members were present at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, to remember those who died in military service. This scene was replayed as Memorial Day services were conducted in all States of our Republic and we remembered the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and all who were in uniform and died in the military service of our nation.
The soldiers of the New York Guard have their own Memorial Day tradition, in the yearly memorial recognition of the First Provisional Regiment, New York Guard. This year marked the 80th Memorial Service remembering active duty of the Regiment within the State of New York. The best known activity of the Regiment was aqueduct service. The soldiers of the Regiment protected the New York Water supply, from possible enemy sabotage. ( The New York Guard was established by state law in 1917 to give the state a militia force to help in emergencies, after the National Guard was "Federalized and sent Over There.")
The New York Guard soldiers, too young, too old or not medically qualified for active Federal service volunteered to ensure that the enemy would not succeed in any attempt to poison or contaminate the New York reservoir system. According to state records, 38 members of the New York Guard died while on active duty and sentries were fired upon 106 times. ( Note: All NY Guard deaths were from "non-combat" activities.)
The first Sunday in May has traditionally been set aside as the day that members of the New York Guard remember and honor the memory of the members of the First Provisional Regiment and all who have died in the military services of the state and nation. The services are held at noon, at the Sleepy Hollow cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York at the site of the New York Guard, First Provisional Regiment Monument.
The memorial service marked the third time a reproduction of the flag of the First Provisional Regiment was displayed. The flag features the emblem of the Regiment, a watch dog, the years of service (1917-1918-1919), and now the title Watch Dog Post Veterans, in addition to the unit title, First Provisional Regiment, New York. It was the first time the "new" New York Guard flag was flown. The New York Guard flag displays the New York Guard Emblem which contains the Stars and Stripes of the United States as well as the sun, mountains and Hudson River of the New York State Flag and carries the traditional emblem of New York State Militia and Volunteer units which were displayed since the 1850's. Both Flags were carried by the Color Guard of the Veteran's Corps of Artillery of New York, which was established as a State Militia unit in New York in 1790, and still wear as their dress uniform, the Army uniform of 1790.
New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and BG Richard Crabtree, Commander of the 56th Brigade, New York Guard were guest speakers. In his remarks BG Crabtree, told the assembly "this is evidence of your commitment never to forget ... a testimony to those who survived and those who sacrificed." Senator Oppenheimer thanked all NY Guard soldiers for their service and told all present, "I am proud to be the daughter of an Army Colonel, I know how we served as he served. It is wonderful that we have honored and remembered the First Provisional Regiment."
Three volleys in salute were fired by an Honor Guard, made up of volunteers from the American Legion Post 506, the 10th Brigade and 56 Brigade of the New York Guard. All rifles were privately owed M-1 Garand, the NY Guard has no weapons.
Three buglers (trumpeters) and two pipers from the 10th Brigade and 56th Brigade NYG provided the music and musical salutes in honor of the First Provisional Regiments.
In addition to the Veteran's Corps of Artillery there were Color Guards from the 56th Brigade, 88th Brigade, the American Legion and the 5th Cadet Corps of the New York National Guard Corps of Cadets.
Troops in the parade came from the Joint Staff, the Army Division Staff, 4th Bde, 10th Brigade, 14th Brigade, 56th Brigade, 88th Brigade, and the MNA/GLO Detachment and the Air Division NYG, as well as various veteran groups.
Retired BG William Sims of the NY Guard Association, which co-sponsors the annual event, was very pleased with the day. "Great to see so many people attend these memorial services," he said. "It's important to remember our veterans, those who served and those who did not return home."
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, PAO NYG, 2 Virginia Place, Pleasantville, NY 10570. Phone and fax: (914) 747-2820.
NYG Establishes Air Support Unit
The Adjutant General of the State of New York has approved the establishment of an air component of the New York Guard as part of the state military forces. BG David Maul, NYG Chief of Staff, explained the new joint organization for the NYG at a meeting of the Joint Staff, held at Camp Smith, the New York State Military Training Site, Peekskill, NY.
The reorganization has established Headquarters, New York Guard as a joint staff with state guard volunteers wearing either Army green or Air Force blue. The Chairman of the Joint Staff is MG George Liebner. Subordinate to the Joint Staff are two divisions. The Army Division will continue activities in support of the state and Army National Guard. Subordinate units will be five brigades, with battalions and detachments in the Army Division. BG John F. Bahrenburg of Poughkeepsie, NY has been appointed Commander of the NYG Army Division.
The NYG Air Command is a strictly state military force, not subject to federal call up to overseas deployment. Subordinate units will be wings, squadrons and detachments. The Air Command and its members will be task oriented. They will be assigned to air support specialties at Air National Guard facilities throughout the state, to aid local Air National Guard commanders at their facilities and at NY Air National Guard Headquarters, in various missions.
Members of the NYG Air Staff and other officers, have been working for the last few months to develop the initial organization of the Air Staff. COL David Coons (NYANG retired), a Brevet Brigadier General, has served as facilitation and discussion leader during the organizational meetings which then developed the concept of a task oriented air support division. Currently, the ranking officer on the NYG Air Staff is COL Donald Devito.
Qualified individuals who wish to join the NYG Air Command will be enlisted or commissioned in the NYG and assigned to the air division, which will establish wings and squadrons as needed at the various Air National Guard bases and facilities within the state. Members will train to support the Air National Guard and perform support activities as needed by base commanders during domestic emergencies or natural disasters, just as the soldiers of the NYG have done for the past eighty years. Currently, members of the Air Staff meet monthly at the Air National Guard facility at Latham, NY. Members of the Joint Staff also attended monthly meetings at Camp Smith.
Veterans or retired members of the Air Force or the various air reserve forces will have the opportunity to serve in an air militia to assist our state during emergencies. NYG Air Command members will wear an Air Force blue uniform with distinctive state and NYG insignia. Officers and enlisted personnel of the NYG serve as volunteers, without pay, unless called to state active duty. When called to state active duty, they would receive the same pay as members of the same grade in the Army or Air National Guard.
For more information or to receive an application contact: Headquarters New York Guard, Attention J-1, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224.
Aid to Civil Authorities: Response to Terrorist Incidents
Over 200 representatives from police, fire and other emergency services from local and county agencies and the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), participated in a professional development symposium dealing with "Response to Terrorist Incidents." The a day long project, hosted at the Joint News Center at the Westchester County Airport by the Westchester County Office of Disaster and Emergency Services (ODES) and SEMO drew public safety personnel from Suffolk County to Sullivan County, as well as local agencies.
Security experts from Federal, State, New York City and Westchester agencies conducted the sessions which dealt with a review of the World Trade Center bombing, the lessons learned by the various public safety agencies and then the plans, programs and help available to county, city or local government.
The program covered Emergency Management Plans, emergency response to incidents, the terrorist threat, bomb threat and weapons of mass destruction (WMD), all from a public safety perspective.
Mr Kevin Neary, Chief of Training for SEMO dealt with emergency management plans and training. LTC William Vorlicek, NYARNG the Plans-Operations-Military Support Officer for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA), conducted the session on Military Support for Civil Authority during a Domestic Terrorist incident. In addition to personnel from SEMO and NYARNG, representatives from the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard attended.
The symposium is one of many being conducted through out the nation by state and local emergency services agencies to prepare their personnel for any emergency.
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, GS, NYG, PAO, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224. Phone and FAX: 914-747-2820.
Visiting "OZ"
Westhampton Beach, NY -- New York Guard soldiers from the 14th Brigade recently supported the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard during the Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE) which this year was titled "Operation OZ."
The NY Air National Guard ORE is a yearly training exercise held at the Colonel Francis S. Gabreski Airport at Westhampton Beach, NY and various other off site locations. The local ANG Commander requested assistance to add extra personnel to support different training scenarios for the airmen.
NY Guard soldiers acted as casualties for first aid and evacuation training, and as tourists (possible infiltrators) to test base security measures.
The ORE was an opportunity for NY Guard soldiers to participate in professional training with one of the top rated pararescue units in the United States Air Force. The NYANG 106th Rescue Wing has responded to rescue calls from around the world. The members of the wing have performed many heroic rescue missions and, should the need arise, are responsible for astronaut rescue.
The exercise closed with a newfound respect between the airmen of the Air Guard and the soldiers of the NY Guard, each for the other's capabilities. New friendships and bonds were forged, with the possibility of future joint training activities.
The 14th Brigade, NY Guard is commanded by COL Amos Gailliard of Hempstead, NY. The operational area of the 14th Brigade is all of Long Island east of New York City.
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, GS, NYG, PAO, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224. Phone and FAX: 914-747-2820.
NYG Honored by President Dole
Mrs. Elizabeth Dole, President of the American Red Cross (ARC), came to Huntington Town House, Huntington Station, New York, where she paid tribute to the volunteers that assisted the American Red Cross during the aftermath of the TWA Flight 800 disaster. This included members of the New York Guard's 14th Brigade.
This event, sponsored by the national leadership of the American Red Cross, gave recognition to the efforts of those who labored as volunteers of the ARC, supporting the agencies directly engaged in the disaster recovery operations.
The members of the NY Guard that participated with the American Red Cross at the sites serving the recovery forces, were engaged in ARC site supervision; procurement, loading and transportation of donated supplies, and in mass care assistance to lift the spirits of the divers, boat crews and other relief workers. A total of 36 NY Guard personnel participated in this mission, working for up to 21 days without pay.
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, GS, NYG, PAO, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224. Phone and FAX: 914-747-2820.
Disaster Preparedness Training
White Plains. NY -- Over 100 representatives from local, county, state agencies and organizations including the New York Guard and the New York Naval Militia, attended a special Hurricane Disaster Preparedness Program at the Joint News Center (JNC) at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains. The day long program was a joint project of the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) and the Westchester County, Office of Disaster and Emergency Services (ODES). The project was designed to help local and county emergency representatives prepare for the possibility of a serious hurricane hitting the New York Metropolitan Area.
A special program reviewing the Incident Command System (ICS) which was adopted last year, by order of Governor Pataki, was conducted for representative of various agencies from the four county area just north of New York City. The various emergencies last year, ranging from the snows & floods to the Flight 800 Disaster showed the need to have one coordinated system which all emergency forces could use to interact with one another. The continued cooperation between agencies can only improve the service available to the people of New York.
Article by and for further information contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, GS, NYG, PAO, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224. Phone and FAX: 914-747-2820.
Flight 800 Support
Soldiers of the New York Guard's 14th Group did not know when they took the National Weather Service SKYWARD Program Class that they would assist in one of the worst major air disasters to ever hit the New York metropolitan area.
News of the TWA Flight 800 incident reached American Red Cross Disaster Team members attending the class. Members of the 14th Group were briefed about the incident and COL Amos M. Gailiard, Jr., New York Guard (NYG) Commander of the 14th Group, explained that they could volunteer to act as members of the Red Cross to work in Mass Care and Logistics for the disaster.
The soldiers volunteered to serve the Red Cross as civilian volunteers and were soon on their way to the U.S. Coast Guard Station at East Moriches. For the next seven hours the ARC volunteers including NYG members, administered necessities. Water, coffee, gatorade, cookies and sometimes the right words of encouragement were necessities to the boat crews, support personnel and morgue personnel.
Early the next day, the Adjutant General of the State of New York, Major General John H. Fennimore V, arrived to observe the situation and see where state forces could help. The Adjutant General was updated on the activities that the 14th Group had under taken up to that point, as well as on the Red Cross Training which 14th Group NYG soldiers had taken. With the approval of the General, the Group Commander contacted the NYG ACSPA, Colonel Frederick Holzbaur and received permission to issue orders to activate members of the unit to support the Red Cross.
The Group members were deployed to assist Red Cross operations as requested by ARC Mass Care. Activities included providing food and various sundry supplies to the divers and other recovery personnel working at the USCG Station who were receiving victims and recovered wreckage. Additional limited support was received from the 88th Bde and NYG Headquarters. New York Guard soldiers participated in logistics operations such as transporting ARC personnel from the Red Cross CP to the USCG station. They also performed loading and unloading of food, water, etc. and transporting those items from the staging areas at the East Moriches Fire Department to the USCG Station.
The New York Guard activities were discontinued, when additional National Guard and Federal resources arrived. The NYG had served for 20 days state active duty, without pay. In all, the New York State Forces contributed greatly to the recovery operation with involvement by personnel of the NY Air National Guard, the NYARNG, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard supporting the disaster relief operation. The NY Air National Guard and the New York Guard were the first state military forces to respond because they were in the right place at the right time.
Information for this article was contributed by 1LT J. W. Cooper, Assistant S-1, 14th Group; LTC John Gannon, S-3, 14th Group; and COL F. W. Holzbauer, ACSPA, HQNYG. Contact: LTC Allan F. Pogorzelski, PAO, HQ New York Guard, 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, NY 12110-2224.