CONTACT: Lt. Col Paul Fanning; Cell: 0798010642; e-mail: paul.a.fanning@afghan.swa.army.mil

FOR RELEASE: Monday, Oct 13, 2008

CAMP PHOENIX,KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (10/13/2008; 1409)(readMedia)-- Three members of New York's Congressional delegation visited the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Combat Team here on Sunday, Oct. 12, as part of an official Congressional delegation visit to Afghanistan. Representative Steve Israel, D-Dix Hills, led the delegation which included Representative Michael Arcuri,D-Utica, and Representative Thomas Reynolds, R-Williamsville. Nevada Representative Shelley Berkley, also took part in the visit. They arrived at Patriot Square at noon, where headquarters, Security Force and Logistical staff were waiting. The New York Congressmen serve districts on Long Island and in Central and Western New York, where many 27th Soldiers and their families live. The 27th BCT is serving as the headquarters for Combined Joint Task Force Phoneix, an international force of 8,000 which is training the Afghan National Army and Police. Their trip included a planned visit with President Hamid Karzai and U.S. and coalition leaders within a compressed itinerary. The chance for the troops to see and speak with their representative while in Afghanistan was a memorable experience. Many remembered appearances at send off ceremonies back in New York. Several joined the Congressmen for lunch in the dining facility and a group photo opportunity with an MRAP armored vehicle. "I have met and spoken with Congressman Israel before," said Sgt. Michael Cantley from Smithtown, Long Island, who presented the congressman with an American Flag that he personally flew at Camp Phoenix on 9-11, 2008. Sergeant Cantley was among hundreds of New York National Guard Soldiers who served on State Active Duty at the World Trade Center on 9-11, 2001 performing search and rescue operations after the terrorist attacks. He was deployed in 2005 to Iraq as a member of the Fighting 69th Infantry. "I wanted him to have this Flag," he said. "I wanted to be the one to give it to him." "It was an honor to meet him," said Staff Sgt. Linda Nosbisch from Lancaster, NY who wanted to thank Congressman Reynolds for helping to preserve the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Base, which is home to the New York Air National Guard's 107th Air Refueling Wing, now converted to a transportation wing. "My son is in the 107th," she said. "Congressman Arcuri lives near my parents," said Capt. Joel Abelove, who is originally from Utica, NY but now lives and works in the Albany area. "I used to see him at conferences because he used to be a prosecutor, too," said the military lawyer and former Rensselaer County deputy prosecutor with the Judge Advocate General office. "This has been a really great visit for us," said Col. Ray Shields, CJTF-Phoenix Chief of Staff. "Our Soldiers g'ot to see their Congressional representatives who brought along a strong message of support for our people and the job we are doing. Visits like these really help us understand that we are not being forgotten and that our work is invaluable to the nation." He concluded by saying that "its inspiring to have four Congressional representatives from New York and Nevada visit us 7,500 miles from the U.S. during critical time back in Washington - we really appreciate their visit and personal attention." CJTF-Phoenix, part of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, has the mission to mentor and train the Afghan National Army and Police, and assist the Government of Afghanistan and its people. Nearly 1700 New Yorkers in the 27th from across the state are serving in CJTF-Phoenix in the largest single deployment from the New York National Guard in recent memory. Hundreds of New York Soldiers serve as trainers, advisors, mentors, security-force, logistics and staff. Many served in state and federal active duty after the terrorist attacks. The New York National Guard is the only part of America's military that served at "Ground Zero." Roughly a third of the 27th has already served in Iraq. Photo Captions: US Army Photos by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning (Released) 081012-A-2444F-0035 Sergeant Michael Cantley from Smithtown, Long Island presents Congressman Steve Israel with an American Flag that he flew on 9-11, 2008 at Camp Phoenix. 081012-A-2444F-0061Staff Sergeant Linda Nosbisch from Lancaster, NY speaks with Congressman Tom Reynolds in Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix while being video taped by Spec. John Smith.

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