NY Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Mark Wilson, a Leicester resident, takes over as senior enlisted leader for 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade

Latham, NY (04/09/2019) — New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Mark Wilson, a Leicester resident who deployed to Iraq twice, took on the job of senior enlisted leader for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade during an April 6 ceremony in Latham, N.Y.

The 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade is comprised of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation in Latham and Ronkonkoma on Long Island, and the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion which has elements in Rochester, Dunkirk and Ronkonkoma. The brigade also has administrative responsibility for New York Army National Guard CH-47 and medical evacuation helicopter units assigned to the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rochester International Airport.

As command sergeant major, Wilson is the key advisor to the brigade commander on enlisted Soldier training, discipline, and professional development.

Wilson replaced Command Sergeant. Major Joseph Marino who will be taking an on a position as operations sergeant major for the brigade.

Wilson joined the Army in 1980 and served in Germany. He transferred to the Connecticut Army National Guard in 1984 and joined the New York Army National Guard in 1988.

Wilson, who was originally trained as a helicopter mechanic, has served in a number of key non-commissioned officer positions.

These include A platoon sergeant and company first sergeant in the 1st Battalion 142nd Aviation Battalion; First Sergeant for Alpha Company 2nd Battalion 142nd Aviation; Support Operations Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major for the 642nd Aviation Support Battalion; and Operations Sergeant Major for the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Wilson deployed to Bosnia in 1997, and deployed to Balad, Iraq in 2004-2005 and then returned to Iraq in 2008-2009 at Baghdad International Airport. He deployed to Camp Buering, Kuwait in 2013-2014.

His military education includes the First Sergeants Course and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy.

Wilson's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Master Aviation Badge.

Wilson is also a federal civilian employee of the New York National Guard at the Army National Guard Flight Facility at Rochester International Airport, in addition to serving in the New York National Guard.

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