9-11

Six years ago A 2-108 Infantry was A 1-108 Infantry. In August of 2001, the company went to JRTC in Fort Polk, Louisiana. We spent 2 years getting ready for what was one of the biggest events in recent NYARNG history. We were promised that things would quiet down a little bit upon returning home. Our Company was supposed to transition over to be a anti-tank company in the coming year. On 8 September, we had our Company party at Conesus Lake. A few days later on 11 September 2001, our lives were collectively changed forever. Few were affected as much as the members of the New York Army National Guard. I strolled into work that morning to a ringing phone which turned out to be my mother. She told me to turn on the T.V., which I did about two minutes before the 2nd plane hit. The next phone call was the First Sergeant. Our unit spent two days in the armory waiting to be sent to New York City, but we were sent home. About two weeks later, our call came. Since then, members of A Company have deployed all over the world to secure our country and fight the War on Terror. Here is a list of the deployments we have participated in.

Operation Noble Eagle I and II
John F. Kennedy Airport 2001-2003
LaGuardia Airport 2001-2003
Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Plant 2001-current
Ginna Nuclear Power Plant 2001-current
Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant 2001-current
Bridges and Tunnels, New York City 2003
United States Air Force Security Mission 2003-2005
Subway and Train Stations, New York City 2001-2003

Republican National Convention, New York City and Long Island Train Yards 2004

Response to the London Bombings, New York City and Long Island Train Yards, Ferries, Train and Subway Stations 2005

Operation Jump Start, Arizona Border 2006-2007

Members of Company A have also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Which brings us to our next mission, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan for a 1 year deployment. The Roughnecks roll out at the end of September 2007. Stay tuned on the blog, I will do my best to keep it up to date with photos and comments.

Annual Training 2007

The Roughnecks conducted an intensive 3 week AT this year in preparation for future operations. We blew stuff up, shot things and learned how to save our buddies in sunny Fort Drum. We even had briefings that tried the senses, "Death by power point." On the last night at Ft. Drum the CO and the 1SG were unknowingly enlisted to participate in interrogation techniques. Dr. Strangelove led the training...

Rollover drills during driver training



Claymore, claymore, claymore

BOOYAH!

Frag out!!! (Click on photo)

"You throw like a girl."

Bustin' caps with the "nine"

Impromptu call for fire class in the latrine.
Looks like Sgt. M has a good fire mission in the stall.
SPLASH OVER...SPLASH OUT

SFC. A getting ready to stick his buddy.

The CO after the 1SG got done with him in CLS.

The 1SG after the CO returned the favor at CLS.
Who do you want sticking you?

Lt. C, 1SG, SSG. W and the CO after Land Nav.

Reflex fire

The CO (Crazy Horse) having a "Good Army" day at the range.

The FRG showed up in force at both armories
and greeted the troops home with food and drink.

Fort Drum May 07

We went to good ole Ft. Drum where we attempted
with various degrees of success to qualify with our
weapons.

SPC. E is a little ecstatic after a long day on the
range qualifying.

The CO is multi-tasking on the cell phone while
zeroing his weapon.

Conky, our friend from Canada making sight adjustments
on his M4.

Off duty range guards practicing their hooch making techniques.

Birds eye view of the qualification range.

Well boys, after much debate, internet research
and interrogating at least one naturalist, the range
mystery bird is...a raven not a crow. If I am not
mistaken SGT. P. owes SGT. M. a case of beer. I
of course will collect my 10% negotiating fee.

History of the National Guard in Geneseo

The command element and the main body of A 2-108 Infantry is located in Geneseo, New York. Geneseo has a long and glorious military history. During the militia times prior to the American Civil War, Geneseo hosted the regimental commander of the 94th NYSM, 39th Bde., 22nd Division. His name was Colonel James Wood Junior, a prominent Geneseo lawyer. Colonel Wood was promoted to Brigadier General in 1854 and placed in command of the 27th Brigade, New York State Militia. General Wood volunteered to the lead the 136th New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He had to take a demotion to Colonel in order to lead the regiment. The 104th NYVI Infantry mustered at Camp Union which was located at the top of upper Court Street in Geneseo. Major General James S. Wadsworth lived in the mansion across the street from the armory. He served as the 1st Division commander of the Ist Corp at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Iron Brigade fell in under his command. General Wadsworth was killed in action at the Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864.

The following is the lineage of A 2-108 Infantry headquartered in Geneseo.
1914-Troop M, 1st NY Cavalry. Armory located in Avon, New York

1916-Troop M deployed to the Mexican Border

1917-Troop M was called up for Federal Active Duty to serve in WWI. The 1st NY Cav was broken up to form machine gun battalions in the 27th Infantry Division. This is where the modern A 2-108 got its nick name the "Roughnecks" from. General John F. O'Ryan was the commander of the 27th Infantry Division which was made up of primarily New Yorkers. The General was one of the few National Guard Division Commanders to remain in command throughout the war. The soldiers in his division were known as "O'Ryan's Roughnecks."
1919-Troop M is reorganized in Geneseo at the Armories present location.
1922-The indoor riding hall is completed which today serves as the drill floor.

1929-Troop M, 1st NY Cavalry re-designated as Troop I, 121st Cavalry
1940-Re-designated as Troop B, 101st Cav.
1941-Mobilized for WW II and deploys with the regiment's horses which never return to Geneseo. Troop B, 101st Cav. was split up and formed the nucleus for Troop E and Troop F, 101st Cavalry Recon. Squadron (Mech).

1944-101st Cav. deploys to the European Theater.
1945-Enters the front line at Emmerswailer-wadgasser, Germany. On V-E Day, 101st Cav. was attached to the 101st Airborne at Saelfelden, Austria. The 101st Cav. was redeployed to Camp Campbell, KY and began training for combat against the Japanese. The war ended before the regiment was deployed and the men were sent home.
1947-27th Mechanized Cavalry Recon Company, 27th Infantry Division was organized.
1948-Re-designated the 27th Mech Recon Co., (Company dropped the Cav designation.)
1955-Re-designated Company A, 27th Recon Battalion.
1959-Re-designated Troop A, 1st Recon Squadron, 121st Armor, 27th Infantry Division.
1963-Re-designated Troop A, 1st Recon Squadron, 121st Cavalry.
1963-Geneseo Armory is upgraded.
1968-Re-designated Troop B, 5th Squadron, 117th Cavalry
1975-Re-designated Troop C, 1st Squadron, 101st Cav. with detachment in Hornell.
1990-Re-designated D Company, 1-108 Infantry, 42nd Infantry (Mech).
1995-Re-designated A Compnay, 1-108 Infantry, 27th Brigade (Light).
2005-Re-designated A Company, 2-108 Infantry, 27th Brigade (Light).

The unit history series will continue with the lineage of the 108th Infantry as well as the lineage of the Batavia Armory.

May Drill and pictures from April Drill

Next drill is 3,4,5,6 May 2007, a MUTA 7 at Ft. Drum. Pack for cold and wet conditions. We will be qualifying on 240B, SAW and M4/M16. A Co will be conducting the M4/M16 zero range and qualification range. First formation is 1930 hours Thursday, 3 May. Uniform is BDU/ACU.

Next Admin meeting is 23 April in Geneseo at 1900 hours. The last day to request a SUTA is Friday, 27 April.



Searching suspicious vehicles and their occupants.

Learning about ole' ma deuce. Sgt. M says, "Head space
and what time is it?"

Searching a suspicious family truckster at a TCP
(Traffic control point)

Seedy looking cadets being detained.

SSG H. discusses a possible IED



Early morning roadmarch. Whaddup with the
Snow in mid-April, must be global warming.

The Little Rock Arsenal now the Museum of Arkansas Military History. 1SG O. traveled to Camp Robinson in Arkansas for a conference on future operations. Of course there were museums to be visited. As all New Yorkers know, we can thank Little Rock for the Clintons, but little did we know that General Douglass MacArthur was born in this very building in 1880 while his Father served in the U.S. Army at the arsenal.

April Drill

HAPPY EASTER!!!

April drill is Friday-Sunday, 13-15 April. First formation is 0730 Friday morning in PT uniform. We will conduct PMI, PCIs and CIF on Friday. On Saturday, the company will go to the field for training. Saturday will be an overnighter in the field, packing list will be published in the newsletter. Sunday morning the company will conduct a 7 mile road march back to the armory. Selected personnel will attend the TAG match at Camp Smith. The last day to request a SUTA is Thursday, 5 April (6 April is Good Friday). The next training meeting is Monday, 2 April at 1900 hours in Geneseo. Have a Happy Easter!

A Company conducted a change of command ceremony for March drill

Captain H. holds formation with Company A for the last time.

Major B. passes the Company guidon to the incoming commander, First Lieutenant S.