READINESS
DOMESTIC OPERATIONS
The 69th Regiment has a long history of immediate response to national emergencies. When an event occurs, the National Guard is on the scene within hours. Soldiers work tirelessly during these times with pride for their Regiment and a knowledge that their actions will contribute to the rich history of American readiness.
NY National Guard assisted in packaging and distributing 3,200 turkeys around the state just before Thanksgiving 2021.
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National Guard Responding to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center
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SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
Many NY National Guard members did not wait for formal orders for their units to mobilize, but instead reported to their armories immediately. NY's 69th regiment was one of three units to first respond to the terrorist attacks. In the early response at "Ground Zero", the Guard men and women formed "bucket brigades" to remove debris by hand and search for trapped victims under the rubble. Others set up to hand out food and water to victims and first responders. Some were stationed across the state at various locations of critical infrastructure such as bridges, train stations, and power plants. In addition to the 69th Regiment’s emergency response efforts, the Armory served as an assistance and counseling center for victims and families. For days after the attack, a line of New Yorkers encircled Lexington Armory as interviews were conducted to take information about missing persons.
Missing Persons Flyers After September 11, 2001
HURRICANE SANDY
In less than 2 weeks after Hurricane Sandy hit Long Island and New York City, almost 4,000 troops, operating more than 1,300 trucks and Humvees, delivered 2.5 million emergency meals and 150,000 blankets to storm victims, and fueled more than 13,000 city vehicles, while visiting more than 12,000 homes and apartments to check on residents.
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National Guard members responding to Hurricane Sandy
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The NY National Guard was instrumental in the quick response to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
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COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The New York National Guard mobilized over 6,000 troops to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic since the first 270 Soldiers and Airmen responded to former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s mobilization order of March 10, 2020. Within 12 months, National Guard personnel had assisted with gathering 1,492,563 samples at drive-thru Covid-19 testing sites throughout the state.
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INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
"On May 15th, 2004 the 1st Battalion of the 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, the "Fighting 69th," was mobilized into active federal service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom." The 69th Regiment was assigned the title "Task Force Wolfhound" while carrying out missions in Iraq. The Task Force was highly regarded for their success against the enemy in Al Taji, about 30 miles north of Baghdad, and began returning back to the United States in September 2005.
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Painting by Larry Selman illustrates the 69th Regiment's 1st Batallion effort to secure Route Irish in Baghdad, 2005
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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Image of National Guard community service from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nyng
2. Image of National Guard at Ground Zero https://www.army.mil/article/155638
3. Information from https://www.army.mil/article/91055
4. Image of National Guard responding to Hurricane Sandy https://www.army.mil/article/90145
5. Infographic and information from https://www.army.mil/article/244101
6. Quote and information from https://thewildgeese.irish
7. Painting by Larry Selman from http://readme.readmedia.com