09 Jun New York Task Force completes mission in South Africa

The New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, celebrated a successful nine-month overseas deployment during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier.

Task Force Wolfhound, part of the battalion, deployed to the Horn of Africa in September and conducted security operations at U.S. installations in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia.

The task force consists of New York soldiers working alongside locals from the Horn of Africa. Soldiers from the New York National Guard’s Alpha Company and Charlie Company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, and Alpha Troop of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, were also assigned to the task force.

During the deployment, Task Force Wolfhound provided 24-hour perimeter security for five U.S. installations across three African countries.

Working alongside international forces, Task Force Wolfhound conducted more than 450 mounted and dismounted patrols to protect U.S. interests in the region of Kuwait.

During the unit’s final days in the Horn of Africa, many of its members received military awards in recognition of their hard work and dedication during the deployment.

The task force’s Soldiers have been returning to Fort Bliss, Texas, for demobilization and will begin returning home to New York in the coming days.