DMNA Announces 1/258 looses Officer at Camp Pheonix

DMNA News Release:

BACKGROUND:

1LT Farkas: 1st Battalion 258th Field ArtilleryLATHAM, NY (07/07/2008; 1506)(readMedia)– The Department of Defense has announced the death of a New York Army National Guard officer in Afghanistan.

1st Lieutenant Daniel Farkas, aged 42, died on July 4, 2008 of injuries suffered from a non-hostile incident at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan. The incident is under investigation.

Lieutenant Farkas was assigned to headquarters 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based in Syracuse.

“All members of the New York National Guard regret the death of this officer,” said Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General and commander of the New York National Guard. “The National Guard will do everything it can to aid Lieutenant Farkas’ family in their hour of need.”

1st Lt. Farkas, was a member of the New York Police Department in civilian life and joined the New York Army National Guard in August 1992. Prior to deploying to Afghanistan he was assigned to Battery B, 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery, which is based in the Bronx.

1st Lt. Farkas lived in Washington Park, Brooklyn. He is survived by his mother. The family does not wish to be contacted by the media.

1st Lt. Farkas awards include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, ,and the National Defense Service Medal. He has been awarded the New York State Defense of Liberty Medal for his service in Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center, and also holds the New York State Physical Fitness Ribbon and New York State Aid to Civil Authorities Medal. He has been awarded Army Commendation Medal and the New York State Medal for Merit posthumously.

The New York Army National Guard’s 27th Brigade Combat Team is part of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, a multi-national force of more than 8,000 U.S. and NATO service personnel training the Afghan National Army and Police. The Task Force is currently being led by the New York Army National Guard’s 27th Brigade Combat Team, commanded by Col Brian Balfe. The brigade was mobilized in January of this year and deployed to Afghanistan in late March and early April.

Currently 1,700 members of the New York Army National Guard are serving in Afghanistan and about 150 are serving in Iraq. Another 300 Soldiers will deploy to Iraq later this year.

About 300 members of the New York Air National Guard’s 174 Fighter Wing are currently deployed in Iraq and about 200 other Air Guard members are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan

More than 6,500 members of the New York Army National Guard have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001. Twenty-nine members of the New York Army National Guard have died in a combat zone since then; 23 in Iraq and six in Afghanistan, including 1st Lt. Farkas.

Three New York Army National Guard Soldiers– Sgt. Andrew Seabrooks, of South Ozone Park, Queens; SPC. Anthony Mangano, of Greenlawn, Suffolk County; and Sgt. Nelson Rodriguez-Ramirez, Revere, Mass-were killed on June 21 when their humvee was struck by and IED and small arms fire north of Kandahar.

On June 26, Sergeant First Class Joseph A. McKay, aged 51, of Cambria Heights, Queens; and Specialist Mark C. Palmateer, aged 38, of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County; were killed. Their humvee was struck by an improvised explosive device, small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, while operating near Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar Province in eastern Afghanistan.

Annual Training Around the Corner

It seems to sneak up on us every year, well it’s that time again! Make sure your gear is packed and be sure that your orders and ID card are in hand when you arrive. If you have any problems or questions go through your COC. Orders have been distributed.
2008 ANNUAL TRAINING : JULY 13 – 19

BASIC INITIAL ENTRY TRAINING
ADVANCED NCO COURSE
OFFICER ORIENTATION COURSE
CERTIFICATION COURSES: SAR, COMMO, FEMA, HAZMAT

FULL NY GUARD FTX

If you have any question as to which course you are scheduled for, go through your COC.

“With our new missions, the state is counting on us. We have to show them a
show of force at Annual Training this year. MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION is
mandatory. I want to see ALL our soldiers training hard at
Camp Smith in July.” – MG Van Patten

Memorial held for 4 Service members killed in Task Force Phoenix

DMNA News Release:

BACKGROUND:

CAMP PHOENIX, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (June 30, 2008) – A memorial ceremony was held on Monday 30 June for four U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix who were killed last week as a result of combat operations in Afghanistan.

“What links these four men together – marine and soldiers – is their devotion to duty and the ideal of a greater good,” said Col. Brian K. Balfe, commander, CJTF-P, to more than 200 U.S. and coalition service members and distinguished guests in attendance.

“They each pursued the accomplishment of mission despite the danger that lay in front of them. Each spoke to us with their actions which for these four honorable men clearly speak louder than any words. They truly cleared the way for all of us here today,” said Balfe.

Representatives of the Afghan National Army and the Camp Phoenix-based French and Romanian detachments were present.

The following U.S personnel were honored.

Staff Sgt. Christopher D. Strickland, 25, of Labelle, Fla. died June 25, while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif

They following Soldiers died from wounds suffered June 26 near Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan, when their convoy encountered improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, of Livonia, Mich., who was assigned to the 425th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard, Selfridge, Mich.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph A. McKay, 51, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.

Spc. Mark C. Palmateer, 38, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition), New York Army National Guard, Jamestown, N.Y.