NY Army National Guard Col. Pete Riley, a Warwick resident, retires after 30 years of serve

Iraq War veteran led New York National Guard Security Task Force in New York City for Eight Years

Fort Hamilton, N.Y. (06/03/2019) — New York Army National Guard Colonel Pete Riley, a Warwick resident and a veteran of the Iraq War, has retired after a 30-year career of military service.

His most recent assignment was commander of Joint Task Force Empire Shield, the New York National Guard security force that coordinates with police agencies in New York City.

Riley has led the force on a full-time basis since 2011, while also serving in other New York Army National Guard roles.

Joint Task Force Empire Shield, which has a strength of up to 750 Soldiers and Airmen is a state active duty force which serves at the direction of the governor of New York.

As commander of the task force, Riley coordinated with city, state, and federal entities on security missions at transportation hubs across New York. He also played a key role in the New York National Guard response to Superstorm Sandy in 2012 as troops under his direction rescued people from rising flood water and provided relief following the storm.

"Colonel Pete Riley is an absolutely outstanding officer whose 30 year career as a commissioned officer has been exceptional," said Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General of New York.

"Riley commanded Joint Task Force Empire Shield for more than 8 years. During his tenure he provided outstanding leadership and relationship development with dozens of law enforcement agencies. He has cemented Joint Task Force Empire Shield as an integral partner in keeping New Yorkers safe as they travel through New York City's transportation system," Shield said.

"He is simply a great Soldier," Shields added.

During a change of command ceremony for the task force on May 28 at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, Shields presented Riley with the Legion of Merit and the New York State Medal for Merit.

The Legion of Merit is presented to military members for outstanding leadership and service in key positions of responsibility.

Riley joined the New York Army National Guard in 1989, serving in the 1st Battalion, 210th Armor and the 1st Battalion, 101st Cavalry as a platoon leader and in other staff positions.

In 2001, as a captain in the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters, Riley was part of the New York National Guard response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

In 2004-2005 he mobilized and deployed to Tikrit, Iraq as the assistant personnel officer for the 42nd Infantry Division headquarters. In that position he helped identify National Guard Soldiers with civilian skills which could be used in civil-military operations in Iraq.

In 2007-2008, Riley served full time planning and coordinating pre-mobilization training for New York Army National Guard units preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the civilian world, Riley worked as a pension administrator, a Morgan Stanley analyst, an ADP Retirement Services analyst, and as a training coordinator for ADP Retirement Services.

From 2008-2011 he served as operations officer for Joint Task Force Empire Shield and in 2011 he was named the commander of the unit as a lieutenant colonel.

Riley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Business Administration from Fordham University.

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