Ithaca-based Army National Guard company gets new commander

Capt. Justin Kupinski, a Rotterdam resident, takes charge of Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry during January 17 ceremony

Latham, NY (01/14/2020) — Ithaca's New York Army National Guard company, Delta Company of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, got a new commander during a short ceremony held on Friday, Jan. 17 at Fort Drum, New York.

Capt. Justin Kupinski, a Rotterdam, NY resident, took over from Capt. John Noecker, a Douglas, Massachusetts resident. Noecker is deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of operations with the Troy-based 42nd Infantry Division.

Delta Company is one of four infantry companies, and the only heavy weapons company, in the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry.

Kupinski enlisted the New York Army National Guard in 2010, and in 2012 earned his commission as a second lieutenant through the Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He has served as a platoon leader and executive officer with Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry Regiment, and as a training and plans officer, and a casualty affairs officer at New York National Guard headquarters. He has also served in the New York National Guard's Counterdrug Task Force, and as a Team Officer-in-Charge for the New York National Guard Citizens Preparedness Corps conducting emergency preparation training.

Kupinski currently serves full-time as the Joint Operations Center Battle Captain at New York National Guard Headquarters where he oversees operations conducted by the New York National Guard. He recently moved there after a three year tour as operations officer for the 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia. The Civil Support Team is trained to detect chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and weapons and provide assistance to local first responders.

Kupinski holds a Bachelors of Arts in History from Hartwick College. He also holds a Secondary Social Studies Teaching Certificate.

He is a graduate of the Maneuver Captain's Career Course, the Air Deployment Planners Course, the Cavalry Leaders Course, the Army's Air Assault School, the Basic Airborne Course and the Airborne Pathfinder School.

His awards include the National Defense Service Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the New York State Humanitarian Service Medal and the New York State Physical Fitness Ribbon.

He is married to Capt. Alisa Kupinski, who is also a member of the New York Army National Guard. They have one son, Theodore, who is three years old.

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