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

FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009

ON SITE: On site at the NYS Preparedness Training Center Staff Sgt. Kevin Abbott at 315-427-3084

WHO:

Major Richard Nunziato, commander of the 2nd CST, 22 members of the 2nd Civil Support Team; Soldiers and Airmen who are specially trained to identify radiological, biological, chemical and nuclear materials which might be employed in a terrorist attack, evaluators and Lt. Col. Matthew Cooper, New York National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction Officer.

WHAT:

SCOTIA, NY (03/22/2009;)-- The New York National Guard's 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST) will conduct a training exercise on Tuesday, March 24 at the New York State Preparedness Training Center at the former Oneida County Airport in Oriskany. The unit will muster at its headquarters at Stratton Air National Guard Base and move by road to the training site. Members of the media are invited to observe the training at both locations. Evaluation Exercise which will test the ability of the CST team to alert and deploy by land from their headquarters at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Schenectady County, to the New York State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany, Oneida County, investigate potential contamination and take action accordingly

WHEN:

5 a.m. to 6 a.m. (Stratton Air National Guard Base) and 9:30 a.m. - noon (State Preparedness Training Center) Tuesday March 24, 2009

WHERE:

Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia New York and New York State Preparedness Training Center, 592 Hanger Road, Rome NY

Visual and Coverage Opportunities: Capitol Region Media will have the opportunity to observe members of the 2nd CST preparing to deploy from their headquarters at Scotia Air National Guard Base and move to their exercise site and collect still and video imagery. The 2nd CST Commander Major Richard Nunziato, and Lt. Col. Matthew Cooper, the New York National Guard weapons of mass destruction officer will be available for interviews at the air base. Because this is a training exercise timelines may shift. Media Contact on Site: LTC Paul Fanning, 518-441-4106. Utica-Rome area Media will have the opportunity to observe members of the 2nd CST deploying personnel and equipment at the training site at the former Oneida County Airport. The 2nd CST Commander Major Richard Nunziato and Lt. Col. Matthew Cooper, the New York National Guard weapons of mass destruction officer will be available for interviews. Because this is a training exercise timelines are approximate and may shift. Media Contact on Site: Staff Sgt. Kevin Abbott,315-427-3084. Media members interested in covering the departure of the 2nd CST on Tuesday March 24 should contact Lt. Col. Kimberly Terpening at the 109th Airlift Wing Base at (518) 344-2103 no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, to arrange access to Stratton Air National Guard Base, which is a secure facility. Media members interested in covering the 2nd CST exercise at the NYS Preparedness Training Center must contact New York State Office of Homeland Security Public Information Officer Amy Bonano at (518) 408-1684 to arrange access to the facility.

BACKGROUND:

Major Rich Nunziato: Slingerlands resident Major Rich Nunziato, has served in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard since 1984, when he enlisted as an administrative specialist. In 1990 he joined the New York Air National Guard and served as an aircrew life support specialist and personnel specialist. In 1999 he received a direct commission as Medical Operations Officer in the 2nd CST, and since then he has served as survey team leader, operations officer and deputy commander. As a member of the 2nd CST, Nunziato deployed to New York City following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and has also deployed to support major events, to include the 2001, 2002 and 2003 World Series, United States Open Golf Championships, and the 2004 Republican National Convention. His awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Air Force New York State Preparedness Training Center: Located at the Oneida County Airport, the State Preparedness Training Center utilizes existing airport buildings, hangers, and runways as a location to train first responders and police. Along with classroom space one hanger has been configured as an office building to allow police to practice tactical techniques The 2nd Civil Support Team: The National Guard's Weapon of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams, commonly called CSTs, were created in 1998 with the mission of being able to deploy rapidly, assist local first-responders in determining the nature of an attack-i.e. was it chemical, biological or radiological-and provide medical and technical advice, and pave the way for the identification and arrival of follow-on state and federal military response assets. They provide initial advice on what the agent may be, assist first responders in that detection assessment process, and are the first military responders on the ground, so that if additional federal resources are called into the situation, they can serve as an advance party with that military force. The 2nd CST was among the first 10 CSTs established by President Bill Clinton's directive. The 2nd CST was certified as ready in June of 2001 and deployed to New York City following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Since then the 2nd CST has deployed elements to New York City in support of the opening of the United Nations General Assembly meeting, New Years Eve celebrations, and other events which may be a target for a terrorist attack. The team is ready to respond to incidents throughout the northeast. The 22-members of the 2nd CST come from both the Army and Air National Guard, making this a joint force, and they have unique capabilities and specialties. The 2nd CST is based at the Stratton ANGB so it can be rapidly deployed by air if necessary. New York is in the process of establishing a second CST, the 24th CST, at Fort Hamilton in New York City, in order to provide additional capability in the metropolitan New York area. Photo Cutline: Staff Sgt. Salvatore Cautela and Sgt. Michael Gerardi check for hazardous materials as they move through a building during lane two of a Joint Collective Training Exercise between the 2nd Civil Support Team, NYARNG (CST) and the 15th CST, VTARNG. The two-day exercise held in St. Johnsbury, Vermont brought together the two teams as well as two augmentees from Rhode Island and members of the St. Johnsbury Fire Department. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Abbott, New York National Guard

Attachments: