Army Guard Lt. Col. Elsa Canales, an East Greenbush resident, takes command of training unit
Latham, New York (09/25/2025) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Elsa Canales, a resident of East Greenbush, took command of the 2nd Battalion of the 106th Regiment during a Sept. 14 ceremony at the Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill, N.Y.
The 106th Regiment is the regional training institute for the New York National Guard. The cadre of officers and senior non-commissioned officers provide instruction in specific military skills, and officer and non-commissioned officer education classes.
The 2nd Battalion is a modular training battalion which plans, resources and executes training for combat medics, officer candidates, and the combat lifesaver course.
Canales also serves as a full-time staff officer as the deputy director of logistics at New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham.
Canales joined the New York Army National Guard in 2005 and earned a commission in 2009 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at SUNY Stony Brook.
Prior to her newest assignment, she served as the support operations officer for the 369th Sustainment Brigade.
In 2022-2023, she deployed to Grafenwoehr Training area in Germany where she served as the chief of staff for the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine training the Ukrainian Army.
In 2012, she deployed to Kuwait as the executive officer of the South Carolina Army National Guard's 1118th Forward Support Company.
She also deployed to Kuwait in 2013 as the Operations Officer for the 642d Aviation Support Battalion.
Canales commanded two companies in the 427th Support Battalion as well.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Stony Brook University and a Master of Military Art and Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
Her military education includes the Quartermaster Basic Officer Leader Course, the Multifunctional Logistics Captains Career Course and the Command and General Staff College at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Fort Moore, Georgia.
Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Force, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. She was also recognized with the Distinguished Military Service Award in 2018.
She and her husband Mike Murphy, an Army colonel, have a son, Harry Winston.
Media Attachments
Lt. Col. Elsa Canales, accepts the colors of the 2nd Battalion, 106th Regiment ( Regional Training Institute) from Col. William Murphy during change of command ceremonies at Camp Smith Training site on Sept. 14, 2025. The ceremony signified Canales assumption of command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Aaron Lefton the outgoing commander.( U.S. Army National Guard photo by SFC Sebastian Rothwyn)
New York National Guard
Lt. Col. Jean Kratzer, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- Two Airman assigned to NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing brave cold during Minnesota training course
- Clifton Park Airman is named New York Air National Guard Company Grade Officer of the Year
- NY Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing moves 1,086 passengers and millions of pounds of supplies across Antarctica during 2025-26 mission season
- NY National Guard's "Fighting 69th" Infantry leads New York's St. Patrick's Day Parade for the 175th Time
- NY Air Guard Senior Master Sgt. John McGhee, a Bay Shore resident, wins New York Air Guard statewide honor
- NY Air National Guard Col. Andrew J. Wineberger, a Southold resident, Retires from 106th Rescue Wing After 39 Years of Service
- Officer assigned to Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division dies of undetermined causes in a non-combat incident while serving in Kuwait
- NY National Guard announces the death of Major Sorffly Davius of non-combat causes while serving in Kuwait
- NY Army Guard officer Sean Flynn, a Delmar resident, plays key role in NATO Joint Force Command headquarters
- New York State Military Museum director retires after 22 years of service