Eastern Air Defense Sector -- SYRACUSE, N.Y. Members of the New York Air National Guard’s 224th Air Defense Group participated in the Civil Air Patrol’s annual New York Wing encampment career fair on July 22 at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base.
The event provided more than 190 Civil Air Patrol cadets with an up-close look at the diverse aerospace, technology, and homeland defense career fields the Air National Guard has to offer.
"These types of events are a great way to show young CAP cadets what options the Air National Guard has available locally," said Master Sgt. Matthew Musumeci, a member of the 224th Support Squadron.
The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. CAP serves communities by providing critical emergency services, disaster relief, and aerospace education, while operating a premier youth cadet program for teenagers.
During the fair, 224th ADG representatives traveled from their headquarters in Rome, New York, to showcase their unique homeland air defense mission. They highlighted critical career paths within the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) that support its round-the-clock defense mission, including:
- Command and Control Battle Management Operations (1C5): Airmen who monitor and manage airspace utilizing advanced radar and tracking systems to coordinate air traffic and defense operations.
- Cyber Defense Operations (1D7): Specialists who maintain, protect, and defend the vital network infrastructure, communications systems, and cybersecurity of the sector.
- Security Forces (3P0): The Air Force’s dedicated military police force, responsible for base security, asset protection, and law enforcement.
These interactive sessions allowed cadets to see how those skills are applied daily to protect the skies over the eastern United States. The event also serves as a vital outreach tool, connecting highly motivated youth directly with Guard members who can share firsthand insights into military service and educational benefits.
"These fairs show a wide variety of what the 224th has to offer that a website or recruiter can’t always show," said Tech. Sgt. Dallas Schoggins, a member of the 224th Security Forces Squadron. "Having people in the career fields present to answer questions is a very effective way of showing off careers that may not be easily understood at first glance."
The Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS), headquartered in Rome, New York, is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and is responsible for the air defense of the homeland. The 224th Air Defense Group, an independent wing-equivalent group of the New York Air National Guard, is located at EADS and provides the forces to conduct the air defense mission.
The 224th ADG has several squadrons and detachments. The 224th Air Defense Squadron, the 224th Support Squadron, the 224th Security Forces Squadron, and a Canadian Element NORAD detachment serve in Rome.
Two geographically separated units, the 223rd Air Defense Squadron and the National Capital Region Coordination Center detachment, serve in the Washington, D.C. area.
For more information about the New York Air National Guard, visit http://www.dmna.ny.gov/. For more information on the Eastern Air Defense Sector and the 224th Air Defense Group, visit http://www.eads.ang.af.mil/.