Col. Jason Lefton, an Iraq War veteran, assumes command of NY Army Guard's 53rd Troop Command on Sunday, Jan. 11
Lefton, a Niskayuna resident, will leader 5,100- Soldier element which has units across New York
CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, New York (01/09/2026) — New York Army National Guard Col. Jason Lefton, an Iraq War veteran and Niskayuna resident, will take command of the Guard's 53rd Troop Command on January 11, 2025, during a ceremony at Camp Smith, the New York National Guard's training site near Peekskill.
Lefton will replace Brig. Gen. Isbel Smith, who has led the 5,000 Soldier force since October of 2024. Smith will now serve solely in her other role as Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard.
Members of the press are invited to cover the change of command ceremony.
WHO: Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith, the outgoing commander; Col. Jason Lefton, the incoming commander; Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York who will preside over the ceremony, and Soldiers of the 53rd Troop Command.
WHAT: A traditional change of command ceremony. The colors, or flag, of the 53rd Troop Command will be transferred from the current commander to the incoming commander, Lefton, by Shields, the adjutant general.
This ceremony was born in the days when the regimental flag was carried on the battlefield. The transfer of the flag showed the Soldiers who they would now follow in battle.
Lefton will be promoted to brigadier general (one star) at a later date.
WHEN: 11 a.m. Sunday, January 11, 2025.
Members of the press must be at the post gate by 1030 a.m. in order to be in position for the ceremony which will start promptly at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Building 75 Camp Smith Training Site, 11 Bear Mountain Bridge Rd, Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. 10567.
Reporters must contact Sgt. First Class Sebastian Rothwyn at 917-767-7998 or email sebastian.rothwyn.mil@army.mil no later than 9 a.m. on January 11 for access to this secure military facility
Coverage Opportunities:
Col. Jason Lefton will be available to the media as will Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general. Video and still imagery includes the transfer ceremony and Soldiers and multiple unit colors in formation.
BACKGROUND:
Col. Jason Lefton
Col Jason Lefton, a Niskayuna resident, has served in numerous leadership and staff positions in his 25-year career as an officer in the Army National Guard since earning his commission from the Marion Military Institute in 1996.
He most recently served as the commander of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade from 2021 until May of this year. He also served as the New York Army National Guard State Aviation Officer as a full-time National Guardsman.
Lefton will now serve as a traditional part-time Guard officer. He works full-time for the New York State Office of General Services.
He will be promoted to one-star general at a future date.
Lefton joined Army Aviation in November of 2000 and became a UH-60 pilot in the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment in January of 2001.
Lefton has deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of the Stabilization Force 12 as a Liaison Officer for Multinational Division Southeast and the Task Force Battle Captain and deployed as a staff officer to Iraq.
Lefton has served as a company commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Brigade Executive Officer, and Battalion Commander.
During his time as a Battalion Commander for the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Assault Helicopter Regiment, Lefton led the Battalion to Puerto Rico in response to Hurricane Irma and Maria.
He holds a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
He completed his bachelor's degree in Rhetoric and Communications at the State University of New York.
Lefton has civilian work experience as a fully registered representative in the financial services industry. He holds a Commercial Helicopter Pilot license and Single Engine Airplane license.
Lefton's awards include the two Bronze Star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, three Army Achievement Medals, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal , the Global Warn on Terrorism Service Medal Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the NATO Medal for service in the former Yugoslavia, the Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, and Air Assault Wings,
The 53rd Troop Command
The 53rd Troop command - which includes 5,100 Soldiers based across the state -- is one of two general officer commands in the New York Army National Guard. The other is the 42nd Infantry Division.
The 53rd Troop Command's subordinate units are the 153rd Troop Command, a brigade-sized element based in Buffalo and the 369th Sustainment Brigade located in Harlem.
The 53rd Troop Command oversees Military Police, engineer, supply, communications, maintenance and medical units.
Media Attachments
Col. Jason Lefton
New York National Guard
Lt. Col. Jean Kratzer, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- New York Air National Guard gets new commander during January 9 ceremony at New York Air National Guard headquarters
- New York Air National Guard gets a new commander during January 9 ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters
- NY Air Guard's 107th Attack Wing honors Millard Filmore during wreath laying ceremony in Forest Lawn Cemetery
- New York National Guard Honor Guard teams conducted 6,166 military funeral honors in 2025
- New York Army National Guard is tops in nation for recruiting in 2025
- Christmas Eve road march steps off in Glens Falls Wednesday to honor deployed troops
- Seaford New York Resident Robert Savio Retires from the New York Air National Guard After 40 Years of Military Service
- Army Guard Lt. Col. Gary Barney, a Fairport resident, is named executive officer of New York City National Guard unit
- Rotterdam resident promoted to master sergeant in New York Army National Guard
- NY National Guard Airmen, Soldiers honor vets at Wreaths Across America event