CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Friday, Aug 28, 2009

ON SITE: Capt. Brandon Gendron, 718-739-1379X38

WHO:

Lt. Col. Michael Hoblin, incoming commander, Lt. Col. Paul Conte, outgoing commander, and the Soldiers of the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery.

WHAT:

JAMICA, QUEENS, NY (08/27/2009)-- Lt. Col. Michael Hoblin, a New City, Rockland County resident who served in Afghanistan in 2008, takes charge of the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery, an Army National Guard unit headquartered in Jamiaca, Queens, New York City, on Saturday. Change of Command Ceremony to formally recognize the transfer of authority from one commander to another.

WHEN:

11 a.m., Saturday, August 29

WHERE:

National Guard Armory, 9305 168th Street Jamaica, NY 11433

Coverage Opportunities: Video and still imagery of Soldiers in formation and the transfer of the battalion colors from Lt. Col. Conte to Lt. Col Hoblin. There will be an opportunity to interview both incoming and outgoing commanders. Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony must contact Capt. Brandon Gendron (See Above) in order to gain access to this secure military facility. Background: The Change of Command: The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit's flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield. Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and givens the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader. The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him. In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the Soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle. LTC. Michael Hoblin: Lt. Col. Hoblin was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in 1991. He's served on active duty as a fire direction officer, a company fire support officer, a radar platoon leader and a batter commander in the 3rd Infantry Division, and the 1st Cavalry Division while on active duty. He is also a veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War. After joining the New York Army National Guard he served as assistant operations officer and battalion fire direction officers for the 1st Battalion 256th Field Artillery, as battalion commander for the 2nd Battalion 106th Regional Training institute at Camp Smith, and as information officer for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. While deployed in Afghanistan in 2008, he was the Civil Military Operations Officer for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He is a graduate for Fordham University and also holds a Master of Arts degree from Fordham. He has also completed the Infantry Officers Advanced Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Lt. Col. Hoblin's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Southwest Asian Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal., the NATO Medal, and the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal. He has also been awarded the Army Parachutist Badge. Lt. Col. Hoblin and his wife Rowena live in New City, Rockland County with their son's Michael and Patrick and daughter Catherine. LTC Paul Conte: Lt. Col. Conte was commissioned in Field Artillery in 1988. He served on Active duty with the 2nd Armored Division in German as a company and battalion fire support officer, serving in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Since joining the New York Army National Guard he has served as a battery commander, brigade fire support officer, and division joint fires coordinator prior to taking command of the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery. He deployed to Iraq with the 42nd Infantry Division headquarters in 2004-2005 and also responded to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He is a graduate of Marist College and also holds a masters degree in Financial Management from Marist. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Advanced Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His awards include the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Southwest Asian Campaign Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Army Parachutists Badge, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He and his wife Janet have son, Zachery, and reside in Newburgh, Orange County. His new assignment is executive officer of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Syracuse. 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery: The 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery is headquartered at the Jamaica, Queens Armory in New York City, and also has an artillery battery in Newburgh. The unit deployed two batteries in Iraq in 2004, which served in a security role. Its function is to provide fire support to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. A predecessor of the 258th Field Artillery was once entrusted with security for General George Washington so the nickname of the unit today is "The Washington Grays". The unit's distinctive unit insignia is based on the Washington family crest for this reason.

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