COLONIE – New York Army National Guard leadership underwent significant changes during ceremonies at the New York National Guard Headquarters in Latham Friday.
Sean Flynn of Albany, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, was promoted to brigadier general during a morning ceremony. He has been reassigned to serve as the U.S. Army European Command’s deputy United States representative to the NATO Military Committee.
Col. Brad Frank of West Valley, Cattaraugus County, replaced Flynn as the commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a change of command ceremony.
Command Sgt. Maj. David Piwowarski of Clifton Park, the top enlisted leader of the 10,800 member New York Army National Guard, was honored upon retirement for 41 years of military service. He received recognition for his exemplary service.
Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin Garris of Buffalo replaced Piwowarski during the afternoon change of responsibility ceremony.
Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, state adjutant general, presided over the ceremonies.
Flynn led the light infantry brigade of more than 4,000 soldiers assigned to three infantry battalions, a cavalry squadron, an artillery battalion, a brigade engineer battalion and a support battalion. Elements of the brigade are located across New York from Long Island to Jamestown. One battalion, the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry, is part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
The veteran of more than 27 years of military duty previously served in leadership and senior staff positions throughout the New York Army National Guard. His major operational deployments included Operation Spartan Shield in 2020, Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012, Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-05, Operation Noble Eagle from 2001-02, and Operation World Trade Center in 2001.
His military career began when he served in the…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply