LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - The 2nd Battalion, 102nd Armor is being called to active duty to provide security at the World Trade Center site in New York City. The battalion will be part of a multi-state task force that will deploy on 20 October 2001 and remain on duty until 4 November 2001. The Headquarters of the 42nd Infantry Division, based in Troy, NY will be in overall command of the operation. The 2-102 Armor is normally assigned as a subordinate unit of the 42nd Division. The battalion is based in Port Murray, Warren County, with individual companies in Newton, Hackettstown, West Orange, and Somerset. This is the first full mobilization of this unit since World War Two and will affect about 250 soldiers. Currently the 2-102 Armor has 40 soldiers mobilized as part of the task force providing security at Newark Airport. 

The 2-102 Armor is being sent to New York City as part of an interstate compact with New York State that allows the use of National Guard personnel to assist with emergencies in neighboring states. While deployed, the troops will be housed at Fort Hamilton, NY. New Jersey National Guard soldiers and airmen responded to New York City on 11 September and worked for more than two weeks at Ground Zero as part of the initial disaster response. A New Jersey National Guard task force is still working in New York at the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island providing the base camp and security for the law enforcement personnel sorting through the WTC debris. 

Troops deploying from New Jersey will be providing security of the World Trade Center site as well as other restricted areas in lower Manhattan and will be relieving troops from the New York National Guard who have been deployed since 11 September. They will be working in concert with the New York City Police Department. 

Currently New Jersey has over 1000 soldiers and airmen on active duty dealing with the consequences of the 11 September attack. Duties range from providing security at airports and nuclear power plants, to flying fighter missions over the Northeast corridor, to managing donations. 
 

For more information about this mobilization, or other operations of the New Jersey Army or Air National Guard, please contact Colonel John Dwyer at 609-530-6939.