Lt. Col. Delbert "Del" Gustave, a Newark resident, takes command of New York National Guard Battalion
Iraq War veteran will lead 427th Brigade Support Battalion, which is based in Syracuse and supports 27th Infantry Brigade
Syracuse, New York (09/14/2023) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Delbert "Del"Gustave, a Newark resident and veteran of the Iraq War , took command of the Guard's 427th Brigade Support Battalion, during a Sept. 9 ceremony at he battalion's headquarters in Syracuse, New York.
The battalion is responsible for providing supply, maintenance, and medical support to the 3,500 Soldiers of the New York Army Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
"I am very fortunate to be given the opportunity to command the 427th Brigade Support Battalion," Gustave said during the ceremony, "I am looking forward to the challenges and rewards that battalion command has to offer."
Col. Bradley Frank, the commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade, and presiding officer at the change of command, challenged Gustave to continue the unit's focus on training and readiness."Del, you come highly recommended and your experiences throughout your career will pay excellent dividends as you navigate your time in command. I have the utmost confidence that you will thrive in this environment," Frank said.
Gustave, a native of the Virgin Islands, replaced Lt. Col. William Hoffman.
Gustave was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at St. John's University in Queens, New York.
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 24th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team based at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.
LTC Gustave has served on active duty with the New York Army National Guard since 2007. Before joining the National Guard full-time, LTC Gustave worked as a Real Estate Investment Trust analyst.
In 2004 he deployed to Iraq as a lieutenant and led support convoys throughout Iraq. He deployed.
To Iraq in 2018 and supported operations in Iraq and Syria. He recently deployed to Kuwait with the 369th Sustainment Brigade and served as commander on the ground at Prince Hassan Air Base.
As part of the New York National Guard's COVID pandemic response, Gustave led a team of soldiers working with the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, transporting the remains of those who died from the disease.
He holds a master's in business administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John's University and is working on a master's in public administration.