National Guard Troops Conduct Helicopter Training at Saratoga National Historical Park tomorrow
Media Advisory
SARATOGA NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK, STILLWATER, N.Y (08/13/2019) — Thirty-five New York Army National Guard leaders from across the state will participate in a battlefield tour and study of leadership at the site of the 1777 Revolutionary War Battle of Saratoga here Wednesday, August 14.
The participants will be delivered to the historic battlefield site on board four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Members of the press are invited to cover the aircraft's arrival and the battlefield tour.
WHO: 35 New York Army National Guard Soldiers: Officers and non-commissioned officers attending a company command training course. Five of the Soldiers participating in the training this week hail from the Capital District.
WHAT: Helicopter air landing arrival for a staff analysis and tour of the Saratoga National Battlefield conducted by a retired park ranger who is an expert on the battle. The military traditionally refers to these battlefield visits as "staff rides" and uses them as a training tool,
WHEN: 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 14. Aircraft are expected to arrive between 10-10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Adjacent to Look Out Point #8, along Saratoga National Battlefield Road, Saratoga National Historical Park, 648 Route 32, Stillwater, N.Y. 12170
Media Opportunity: Imagery of helicopter arrival and troops disembarking. Interviews with Soldiers, including local Capital District members of the New York Army National Guard.
Media desiring to cover the helicopter arrival should contact Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-727-7314.
Background:
New York Army National Guard Company Commander & First Sergeant Pre-Command Course
Thirty-five officers and NCOs preparing to assume leadership or command positions across the New York National Guard will train in a variety of preparatory topics during August 12-16, 2019. The training prepares commanders and their senior NCOs, known as First Sergeants, to train, lead and prepare Citizen Soldiers for missions at home and abroad.
Training includes understanding unit readiness management for training, personnel and equipment, along with the information technology systems and resources to leverage to prepare units for domestic emergencies or overseas deployments.
Soldiers will learn from staff assistance experts to leverage the inspector general office, staff judge advocates, education counselors, substance abuse coordinators, equal opportunity officers, retention NCOs, unit chaplains and family readiness groups to establish a successful command team in their new units.
The training for Wednesday, August 14 focuses on leadership lessons from the Battles of Saratoga in 1777.
Saratoga National Historical Park
The Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the site of the Battles of Saratoga, the first significant American military victory of the American Revolutionary War. Here in 1777, American forces met, defeated, and forced a major British army to surrender, an event which led France to recognize the independence of the United States, and enter the war as a decisive military ally of the struggling Americans.
First authorized as a New York state historic preserve in 1927 on the sesquicentennial of the Battles, the Battlefield was made part of the National Park System in 1938 when Saratoga National Historical Park was authorized by Congress.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard aircrews from the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation depart a helicopter landing zone after an air movement training mission to bring troops to the Saratoga National Battlefield in Stillwater, N.Y. on March 12, 2016. The Soldiers moved off their landing zone and conducted an historical ruck march through British and American positions, discussing the history of the battlefield. A similar training event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2019.
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-727-7314Share this Story
Recent News
- Division of Military and Naval Affairs honors two Department of Correctional and Community Services leaders with military medals
- NY Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing names five Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2025
- Painting of Benedict Arnold as hero of Battle of Saratoga will be conserved for display in NY Military Museum by 2027.
- NY Air Guard's 174th Attack Wing Seeks Input for Hancock Field Air National Guard Base Community Involvement Plan
- NY Army National Guard Col. Jason Lefton, a Niskayuna resident, takes command of 5,100 Soldiers of the 53rd Troop Command
- New York Air National Guard gets new commander during January 9 ceremony at New York Air National Guard headquarters
- Col. Jason Lefton, an Iraq War veteran, assumes command of NY Army Guard's 53rd Troop Command on Sunday, Jan. 11
- 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