CONTACT: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008

WHO:

WHO: More than 100 members of the New York Army .National who served with the 27th Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan from April to November, fellow Soldiers and family members. 44 soldiers are from the Syracuse area.

WHAT:

SYRACUSE, NY (12/08/2008)-- More than one hundred New York Army National Guard Soldiers who spent 10 months in Afghanistan training members of the Afghan National Army on Tuesday afternoon, landing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base. Forty-four of the Soldiers will reunited with their family at the Thompson Road National Guard Armory while others travel by bus to Albany, Buffalo and Rochester Arrive on a charter aircraft at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base after flying from Pope AFB, North Carolina.

WHEN:

Approximately 1 p.m., Tuesday Dec. 9.

WHERE:

Hancock Field Air National Guard Base 6001 East Malloy Road Syracuse, NY 13211

Coverage Opportunities: Members of the media will be able to observe and capture images of National Guard Soldiers leaving the aircraft by contacting 174th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Officer Lt. Greta Lewis and making arrangements to be in the ramp area. Syracuse-area soldiers will reunite with their families at the nearby Thompson Road Armory, moving from the flight facility to the armory by bus.

BACKGROUND:

The 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the New York Army National Guard mobilized in January 2008 for deployment to Afghanistan on a mission to train the Afghan National Army and Police. A total of 1,700 Soldiers were called up for the mission. After approximately two months of training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the BCT, led by Colonel Brian K. Balfe, took command last April 26 of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, a training unit comprised of more than 7,400 service men and women from all U.S. service branches including Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, coalition partners and civilian professionals spread over nearly 240 Forward Operating Bases throughout Afghanistan. CJTF-Phoenix was part of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan with the mission to mentor and train the Afghan National Army and Police, and provide assistance to the Government of Afghanistan and its people. New York Soldiers served as trainers, advisors, mentors, security-force, logistics and staff. Many have experience in state and later federal active duty after the 9-11, 2001 terrorist attacks. CJTF-Phoenix VII accomplishments included: The Afghan National Army (ANA) has grown by 6 Kandaks(Battalions), resulting in 7,382 additional Afghan Soldiers 24 ANA Kandaks were validated CM-1 for independent operations, resulting in 25% of the ANA Kandaks validated as capable of independent operations Assisted in the planning and execution of over 100 major named operations with the Afghan National Security Forces The ANA fielded thousands of modern NATO weapons and equipment, including M16A2 rifles and up armored homes, improving their capabilities while reducing their vulnerabilities to enemy actions Established a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) team that trained thousands of Afghan Soldiers and Policemen More than $115 Million has been committed to nearly 400 separate construction and improvement projects at Forward Operating Bases, Company Outposts and District Centers across Afghanistan in support of U.S. and ANSF $39 million obligated through the Commander's Emergency Response Program to build roads, schools, clinics, dig wells, etc. to improve living conditions for the Afghan people Over 1,250 tons of humanitarian assistance aid delivered to women, children, schools and orphanages, an average of approximately 150 tons per month CJTF-P also conducted hundreds of humanitarian assistance and civil medical assistance operations in conjunction with ANSF, improving quality of life for ordinary Afghans while enhancing the bonds between the people, ANSF and their government Established a Logistics Cell enabling the Afghan National Security Forces to receive more of the equipment and weapons they need sooner through increased support and development of the Afghan logistical system and capabilities, expediting modernization and long term sustainability of its forces Members of the media seeking to cover the return of these National Guard Soldiers to Syracuse should contact Lt. Greta Lewis, 174th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Officer at (315) 233-2651 No Later than 10: 45 a.m. on Dec. 9 in order to obtain permission to enter this secure military facility. Members of the media wishing to be on the ramp should plan on being at the base no later than 12:15 p.m. Media members wishing to cover family reunions at the nearby Thompson Road Armory should contact Sgt First Class Thomas House at 315-439-3092 or 315-224-9353 to obtain access to this secure military facility.