NY Army Guard Brig. Gen. Joseph Biehler, a Webster resident, takes command of 53rd Troop Command

Biehler's 4,000 troop command has Soldiers located across the state of New York

Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor, New York (10/19/2021) — U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Biehler, a Webster resident and a veteran of combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, assumed command of the 53rd Troop Command during a change of command ceremony at the New York National Guard's Camp Smith Training Site, near Peekskill on Oct. 17, 2021.

Brig. Gen. Jack James, himself a veteran of deployments to Haiti, Bosnia and Kuwait, relinquished command during the ceremony after serving two years as commander of the 53rd Troop Command.

Biehler formerly served as deputy commander for manuever for the 42nd Infantry Division. He deployed to with the division headquarters to the Middle East in 2020 where unit served as the command element for 10,000 Army Soldiers throughout the region.

Speaking to a formation of more than 200 Soldiers representing the entire command, New York's Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, recognized both Biehler and James for their leadership and contributions.

The troop command includes combat support and combat service support units, including a sustainment brigade, two military police battalions, a signal battalion, engineer battalion, two civil support teams and numerous transportation and logistics elements.

Shields said that Biehler is an exceptional leader whose experience makes him a perfect fit as the 53rd Troop Command's new commander.

"Joe has commanded at company, battalion, brigade and division levels and has been highly successful," he said. "He has also deployed three times and each has been highly successful."

The two New York Army National Guard leaders will swap responsibilities and each congratulated the other for their new role.

"(He) and I are switching positions," Biehler said. "He's going to get an opportunity to work with (the 42nd Infantry Division that's getting ready for a Warfighter (exercise), which is a great experience."

Biehler said he's honored to lead the Soldiers of the 53rd Troop Command.

"Being a commander in the Army is special and unique," Biehler said. "There is no comparison in the civilian world to being a commander of an Army organization."

James said that he is proud to relinquish his command to Biehler. The two served side by side previously as brigade commanders.

"We served together as partners in brigade command integrating our 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade and 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team training in ways that truly build readiness and combat power," James said. "I couldn't be happier that he's my successor."

"You are eminently qualified and I could not be more pleased than to pass the colors of (the) Troop Command to you," James said to Biehler following the transfer of unit colors during the ceremony.

Biehler has served in the Army National Guard since May of 1987 when he was commissioned as an infantry officer. He served as a rifle platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, and support platoon leader, company executive officer and twice as a rifle company commander. He has served in battalion and brigade staff positions as well.

He also deployed to Iraq in 2004 while serving as the operations officer of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry and then as the battalion's commander during a 2012 deployment to Afghanistan.

Biehler has also commanded the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team which is headquartered in Syracuse but has elements across the state.

He has served as the assistant division commander for maneuver of the 42nd Infantry Division since 2017.

Biehler is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Intermediate Level Education, the Army War College, Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Ranger School.

He holds a bachelor's degree in management and a bachelor's degree in accounting from St. John Fisher College. He also holds a master's degree in strategic studies from the Army War College.

Biehler's awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, the NATO Medal, the Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Biehler was born in Rochester, New York and graduated from McQuaid Jesuit High School in 1983.

In civilian life he works as a Finance Director for L3 Harris Technologies in Rochester.

He and his wife Sonya have two adult sons.

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