New York Guard strengthens capabilities during Operation Sustain Thunder

CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. — New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 369th Division Sustainment Brigade qualified on machine guns, mastered sling-load… CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. — New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 369th Division Sustainment Brigade qualified on machine guns, mastered sling-load operations and moved military vehicles by highway and cargo aircraft during their annual Operation Sustain Thunder training. The two-week exercise moved troops and heavy trucks from home armories across New York to Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, testing the brigade’s ability to mobilize on short notice and sustain the Troy-based 42nd Infantry “Rainbow” Division in combat. The multi-state movement combined long-distance road convoys with strategic airlift missions conducted with the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing, based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh.

Aircrews flew six C-17 Globemaster III missions to transport heavy trucks and support teams. “It was an incredibly proud moment seeing 18 months of planning culminate in moving 1,200 Soldiers and over 275 vehicles from New York down to Fort A.P. Hill,” said Lt. Col. David Myones, who directed airfield operations. “Working with C-17 cargo planes shows why teaming up with the Air Force is so vital.” The joint airlifts gave flight planners critical hands-on experience preparing military vehicles to meet strict airlift requirements. “Moving Army trucks by air takes