NY National Guard continues missions with 3,500 troops on duty

[The Patriot]

LATHAM, N.Y. -- Since mobilizing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 6, the New York National Guard has assisted in conducting 225,825 COVID-19 tests, made 634,030 COVID-19 test kits and delivered 7.3 million meals to New York residents.As of May 10, the New York National Guard had 3,551 personnel on duty responding to the COVID-19 mission. This included 2,938 New York Army National Guard Soldiers and 451 New York Air National Guard Airmen.The remainder of the force consisted of 79 members of the New York Guard, the state’s volunteer self-defense force, and 83 members of the New York Naval Militia, the state force that allows members of the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve to serve on state active duty.This is down slightly from the 3,650 personnel on duty a week prior. “I feel great about this. This is what I signed up for. I signed up to help out in a time of crisis in a time of need,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Puffer, a member of Bravo Company, 427th Brigade Support Battalion, who was running a food mission on May 8.


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