National Guard Troops Deployed to Farmingdale

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order to mobilize New York's Army National Guard will result in 250 soldiers on active duty in Farmingdale.

Meanwhile, a convoy of vehicles from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has arrived at Republic Airport as the vanguard of a FEMA team of professionals. On Sunday, they set up temporary offices to assist in the coordination of state and county emergency management agencies responding to Hurricane Sandy, said Gary Lewi, a spokesman for the airport.

In advance of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, Cuomo has ordered National Guard troops to relocate 65 soldiers from upstate to Armed Forces Reserve Center at Republic Airport.

That will bring a total of 250 soldiers assigned to the center by 6 p.m. on Monday, Cuomo's office said.

The additional soldiers mobilized include 50 from Latham, near Albany, and 15 from Auburn in Central New York.

"The move underscores Republic’s strategic location in East Farmingdale that allows first responders to maximize manpower and assets and ensure distribution of emergency supplies as needed," Lewi said. "The airport is owned by the New York State Department of Transportation and directly supports the declaration of emergency made earlier by Governor Andrew Cuomo."

Lewi said the methodically planned effort "reflects years of joint preparedness drills conducted at Republic by New York State, federal and local emergency agencies."

In the recent past, Republic Airport has participated as a mock evacuation center with 1,000 cots and supporting emergency gear as part of the hurricane preparedness exercise.

Also, the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing will have 50 Airmen on duty at the Gabreski Air National Guard Base to handle missions on eastern Long Island and provide National Guard liaison officers to work with emergency management officials in Suffolk and Nassau counties, Cuomo's office said.