NY Army National Guard Major Doug Baker, a Porter Corners resident, takes command of the 501st Ordnance Battalion

Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert is a veteran of the Iraq War and the campaign against the Islamic State

Latham, NY (06/10/2019) — New York Army National Guard Major Doug Baker, a Porter Corners resident, Troy native, and veteran of the Iraq War and the campaign against the Islamic State, took command of the 501st Ordnance Battalion during a change of command ceremony at the Glenville Armed Forces Reserve Center on Friday, June 7.

Baker replaced Lt. Col. Henry Padley who had led the battalion since 2017. Padley is moving to a new job as operations officer for the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command.

The battalion's mission is to manage the employment of explosive ordnance disposal units in combat. These are the elements in the Army and other services who are called upon to remove improvised explosive devices in combat.

Baker, a Troy native enlisted in the Army in August 1984. After completing his active duty service, he transferred to the New York Army National Guard and then the Army Reserve before leaving service in 1992.

In 1995 he joined the Rhode Island Army National Guard, serving in the 861st Engineer Company, and received a commission through the Rhode Island Military Academy Officer Candidate School in 2000. He rejoined the New York Army National Guard in 2001 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 105th Infantry.

He has served in a number of leadership positions to include headquarters detachment commander, battalion personnel officer, logistics officer, and operations officer and executive officer. He is currently serving as the 501st Ordnance Battalion operations officer.

Baker deployed to Honduras in 1985 and deployed to Iraq as the executive officers of the 501st Ordinance Battalion in 2010. He deployed to Iraq and Syria in 2018 as part of the military campaign against the Islamic State where he served as operations officer for the Counter-IED Directorate.

Baker has also responded to emergencies here at home, to include Operation Noble Eagle, the post-Sept. 11, 2001 security operation in the United States, and the state response to Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Baker's awards and decorations include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global war on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon. His State awards include the New York State Medal for Meritorious Service, the Defense of Liberty Medal for post 9/11 service and the California Counterdrug Ribbon.

Baker's is a graduate of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, and the Army Command and General Staff College He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Management from Nyack College

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