“The most special mission for me, however, during this annual training was the air movement of the Puerto Rico USAR teams in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Army National Guard. These mission sets were representative of the support we could provide and cooperation required during an actual disaster response mission that the New York National Guard could be tasked with. The biggest learning moment and challenge for this annual training was the expeditionary deployment of the four Black Hawk helicopters. The time, training, preparation, and resources required for the strat deployment of the Black Hawk is remarkable. Challenges are presented when you are offloading aircraft in a location where you do not have an organic, logistical footprint. We did thorough coordination and planning prior to the exercise, but there are many things unforeseen and unrealized until arrival. Our blade-fold team performed tremendously and ensured that all four Black Hawks were operational prior to the exercise beginning on 5 June 2024.


“There were many hurdles, but the team was trained to overcome and persevere despite grueling heat and constant rainstorms.”


After nearly two weeks of extensive exercises, the personnel and helicopters left San Juan on June 13 in three C-17As headed back home to Albany, Rochester and Long Island.


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