The force-on-force training, which included soldiers from White Plains, Rye, Harrison, Port Chester and Greenburgh, began in mid-July and concluded near the end of the month, according to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs.
More than 5,000 troops from 30 states – including 700 troops from across the Hudson Valley who deployed from Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh on July 12 – participated in the training at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk for most of July.
The training also took place at a time when federal authorities had warned that tensions between local law enforcement and the black community could plunge Louisiana into rioting.
According to the New York Army National Guard, several of the soldiers returning this week after completing the training include these from Wesrchester:
- Stephen Kim of Harrison
- Brian Napier of Rye Brook
- Caleb Dexter of Rye
- Spc. Orane Jacobs of White Plains
- Sgt. David Clark of Greenburgh
- Spc. Craig Neil of White Plains
- Spc. Melroy Scott of White Plains
- Sgt. Mitchell Stogel of White Plains
In addition to infantry units from New York, units from Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and Utah also participated in the training, according to officials.
According to the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, the deployments returning the troops to their home states is to be completed by Aug. 5.
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