Six Rochester-based NY Army Guard Soldiers receiving French medal for bravery on Sunday, February 22.
Award will recognize the New York aviators for their role in a French Special Forces mission in August of 2023.
ROCHESTER, New York (02/20/2026) — Six New York Army National Guard Soldiers, who came to the aid of French Special Forces troops during a 28 to 29 August 2023 mission in Northern Iraq, will be recognized Sunday morning, February 22, at the Patriot Way Armory in Rochester.
The members of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, be awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star by Major General Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army.
Members of the press are invited to cover the ceremony.
WHO: Six Soldiers assigned to B Company:
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, a Rochester resident.
- Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor, a Blasdell resident.
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg, a Rochester resident.
- Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco, a Lockport resident.
- Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a Horseheads resident.
- Sgt. Zachary Albright, an Elba resident.
WHAT: The awarding of the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star authorized by General Thierry Burkhard, then France's Chief of National Defense Staff in March of 2024.
The award, created in 1982, recognizes military personnel for "particularly honorable service" during "operational activities". The bronze star indicates service at the regimental, brigade or unit level. It is frequently awarded to allied military personnel by the French military.
Other American service members who helped rescue or assist French military personnel have been awarded the medal.
WHEN: 11 a.m., Sunday, February 22, 2026. (Members of the press should arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. to be in place for the start of the ceremony and conduct interviews)
WHERE: Army Aviation Support Facility #2, 76 Patriot Way, Rochester, New York.
Reporters must contact Major Jonathan Perlata at 518-478-3580, or email jonathan.m.peralta.mil@army.mil for access to this secure military facility.
Coverage Opportunities
Interview with awardees and Major General Michel Natali, and still and video imagery of the ceremony.
BACKGROUND:
THE INCIDENT:
According to a translation of the French citation, the six members of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, a New York Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopter unit, were on standby at Erbil Air Base in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. This is the effort to counter Islamic State terrorist operations in the region.
The unit is based at the Army Aviation Support Facility at Frederick Douglas Greater Rochester International Airport.
The Soldiers were part of an aerial quick reaction force. French Special Forces operatives were conducting "Operation Chammel" on the night of 28 to 29 August in the vicinity of Hawija, a town in Iraq's Kirkuk province. This was about 70 miles from the air base.
The French force was also being supported by an American Joint Tactical Air Controller, Unmanned Aircraft System, remotely operated aircraft, and an AC-130 gunship.
The French team of 35 soldiers had sustained one wounded and one soldier missing in action during a firefight. They called for reinforcements, and extraction from the fight.
Within a half-hour, the Rochester Based Soldiers, who were crewing two CH-47s along with other Army aviators, had loaded 30 French commandos on board two CH-47s and departed for Hawija.
"Deployed at short notice, they provided mobility support to French forces engaged under enemy fire," according to the English translation of the citation.
"Through their extremely skillful and precise piloting, they successfully dropped French commandos as close as possible to the area of action and within range of terrorist positions."
"Not hesitating to expose themselves to the attacks of a particularly aggressive and determined enemy, they maneuvered their aircraft perfectly, allowing the French troops engaged to regain the upper hand and recover the body of an isolated French soldier," the citation says.
After landing the commandos, the two CH-47s flew to Baghdad, where they refueled and waited to extract the French force.
The New York National Guardsmen demonstrated outstanding military skills and particularly distinguished themselves during this mission, the citation says.
SOLDIERS BEING HONORED:
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, a Rochester resident, is a 42-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002. He was commissioned as an Aviation Warrant Officer in 2009. He is a recipient of the Air Medal W/C Device, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (R) Aaron Taylor, a Blasdell resident, is a 35-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2009. He was commissioned as an Aviation Warrant Officer in 2015. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal W/C Device.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg, a Rochester resident, is a 38-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2007. He was previously a flight engineer with the unit until he commissions as a pilot in 2019. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal
Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco, a Lockport resident, is a 40-year- old helicopter maintainer and crew chief who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2004 and served until 2012. He reenlisted in 2019, again as an aircraft mechanic. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal W/C Device.
Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a Horseheads resident, is 36-years-old. He enlisted as a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist and went through flight progression as a door gunner with the unit. He entered the New York Army National Guard in 2019. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
Sgt. Zachary Albright, an Elba resident, is a 22-year-old helicopter maintainer and crew chief who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2022. He has since been warranted commission as a WO1 in 2025 and is currently in flight school to become an Aviation Warrant Officer. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/C Device and Army Achievement Medal.
THE UNIT:
Detachment 1 of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, operates CH-47F Chinook heavy lift helicopters from Army Aviation Support Facility #2. The unit falls under the administrative control of the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade's 642nd Aviation Support Battalion and is also part of an aviation battalion headquartered in Maryland.
The units Soldiers have deployed to Afghanistan and also on many Support to Civil Authority missions.
Media Attachments
New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Detachment 1, Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion pose for a photo in front of a CH-47 in Erbil, Iraq in 2023. Six Soldiers assigned to the unit are being presented with a French medal on Sunday, Feburary 22, in recognition of their support for a French anti-terrorism mission in August of 2023.
New York National Guard
Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- NY Air Guard Lt. Col. Jesse Fritz, a DeForest, Wisconsin native, takes command of NY Air Guard unit on Long Island
- New York Air Guard Lt. Col. Jesse Fritz, a Hampton Bays resident takes command of 106th Rescue Wing's Maintenance Group
- NY Air Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, a Pflugerville, Texas native, takes command of NY Air Guard's 106th Rescue Wing's Mission Support Group
- NY Air Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Lawhon, a Middle Island resident, takes command of 106th Rescue Wing's Mission Support Group
- Center Moriches resident Kristin Luna names semifinalist for the Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year Award/
- New York Air Guard's 105th Airlift Wing has first warrant officer in decades, Bronx resident Johnny Cruz
- NY Army Guard Capt. David Martin, a Staten Island resident, takes command of field feeding company
- New York Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing gets a new senior enlisted leader
- NY Air Guard's 107th Attack Wing recruiters earn top recruiting award for 2025
- NY Air Guard's 107th Attack Wing recruiters earn top recruiting award for 2025