Lt. Col. Gurpreet Singh, a Goshen resident and Afghan War veteran, takes command of Troy-based National Guard battalion

Latham, NY (05/09/2018) — New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Gurpreet Singh, a Goshen resident, took command of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters Battalion during change of command ceremonies at Camp Smith Training Site near Peekskill on Sunday, May 6.

Singh was also promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel during the ceremony.

The 42nd Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion consists of four companies that support the commander and staff of the 42nd Infantry Division. These include the Headquarters and Support Company, Operations Company, Intelligence and Sustainment Company and Signal Company.

The 42nd Division headquarters is located in Troy, New York, but the division aligns for training with more than 14,000 Soldiers from New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and New Jersey.

Singh, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Chemical Corps, upon graduation from St. Johns University ROTC in May of 2003. He is a graduate of the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRN) Captain Career Course, and Advanced Operation Course.

He has served as the Chemical Officer for the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry and the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry; a Force Protection/Anti-Terrorism Officer; he has held a number of positions in the 42nd Division Domestic All Hazard Response Team Coordination Cell; and has also served as Operations and Plans Officer, Executive Officer and Deputy Commander, of the 42d Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion and as 42nd Infantry Division Operations Company Commander.

From 2007-2008, Singh served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Task Force Phoenix Force Protection/ Anti-Terrorism Operations and Plans Officer.

Singh's awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

In civilian life, Singh is a Detective with the New York City Police Department, assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) in New York.

Singh resides in Goshen, New York with his Wife Donna Tularam and their two children Zara and Zoie.

The 42nd Division was organized during World War I from National Guard units of 26 states and during World War II it liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp. The division deployed to Iraq in 2005 and was responsible for operations in a region the size of West Virginia north of Baghdad.

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