PDA

View Full Version : Albany native promoted to general



thedrifter
10-25-08, 06:17 AM
Albany native promoted to general
Sean MacFarland led combat operations in Iraq

By TERRY BROWN, Staff writer
Click byline for more stories by writer.
First published: Saturday, October 25, 2008

One of the most successful combat leaders in the Iraq war has been promoted to general.

Sean B. MacFarland, formerly of Albany, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas.

General David H. Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander, selected the counter-interinsurgency expert for the promotion. MacFarland is one of 150 brigadier generals in the Army.

Sean's father, retired Army Col. Garth MacFarland of Canajoharie, and Sean's wife, Lynn, pinned a star on the new general's class A uniform jacket. MacFarland's son, West Point Cadet Philip MacFarland, and daughter, Maggie MacFarland, each pinned a star on his shirt during the ceremony. His mother, Nancy, also attended the Sept. 26 ceremony.

MacFarland now commands the Joint Task Force-North, a multi-service command that oversees military and civilian law enforcement personnel in counter-drug and anti-terrorist operations and security threats along the Mexican border. JTF-North is headquartered at Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss.

MacFarland led the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division and other unit soldiers and Marines during successful combat operations in Ramadi, Iraq, two years ago. He and his soldiers established a network of patrol bases that helped curb violence. He also helped launch a successful "Sunni Tribal Engagement" strategy, which resulted in the transformation of Al Anbar Province from being one of the most violent to one of the most peaceful provinces.

MacFarland also served in combat in Granada, Panama and the Persian Gulf War.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1981. He earned a master of science degree in aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech. He also graduated from the Command and General Staff College. MacFarland has earned a Legion of Merit Medal, three Bronze Star medals, six Meritorious Service medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, five Army Achievement medals, and the Combat Action Badge.

MacFarland's grandfather was the late retired Army Col. Jack MacFarland. His brother is retired Army Lt. Col. Chris MacFarland of Canajoharie. His nephews include Army 1st Lt. Matt MacFarland and Airman 2nd Class Joe Stetin of Guilderland.

German honor for proficiency

Forty members of the Army's Albany Recruiting Battalion, two Army reservists and two West Point military policemen have earned a German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.

The soldiers had to pass a series of fitness, military and other tests to earn the badge. Events included a 200-meter swim, a long jump, shot put, 100-meter sprint, 3,000-meter run, pistol qualification and an 18-mile march with 22-pound backpacks around Saratoga National Historical Park. Recipients are:

Gold badge: Captains Bradley Gillatt and Karl Ludeman; Sgt. Maj. Benny Kinsey, 1st Sgt. Todd Crofoot

Sargeants 1st. Class Matthew Oliver, Michael Therrien, Aaron Wilson, Arman Wright, Matthew Caron, Bryan Carter, Nicholas Fregeau,Kevin Hutchins and Christopher Weaver.

Staff Sgts. Ian Becker, Denis Bourque, David Bruce, David Franchitti, Ryan Juliano, Scott McCartney, Kim McCray, Jason Miller, Bryan Murphy, David Rodden Jr.,John Rogers, David Tirko, Adam Ybarra, Alonso Zoquier and Stephen Evans.

Sergeants Timothy Inglis, Michael Jones, Ryan King, Clarke McGraw, Ray Rabideau,Jake Robson and Anthony Tricarico.

Army Reserve Sgt. Russell Gribriau and Spc. Christopher Colwell, both members of the 1st Battalion, 389th Regiment, Niskayuna, and West Point military policemen Spc. Andrew Leach and Spc. Travis Tysinger.

Silver Badge: Lt. Col. Kenneth Sullivan, Sgt. Daniel Anderson and Sgt. WilfredoUrena.

Bronze Badge: Sgt. 1st Class Damion Orr, Staff Sgt. Christopher Norris and Sgt. Jason Gordon.

On duty in Afghanistan

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Darel Polcare of Sprakers, Montgomery County, formerly of Colonie, is serving as a communication-information technologist with a joint service task force at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

The 2005 graduate of Colonie Central High School earned an associate degree from Hudson Valley Community College, Troy.

He is the son of Richard and Barbara Polcare of Sprakers.

West Point training

Nicholas J. Coronato of Albany has successfully completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Coronato successfully completed first aid, mountaineering, hand grenade qualification, weapons marksmanship, nuclear, biological and chemical, fitness, drill and ceremony and other training during the seven-week course.

The Christian Brothers Academy graduate is a member of West Point class of 2012. He is the son of Dale and Nicholas Coronato of Albany.

Completes basic

Air National Guard Airman Anastasios Mantzouris of Averill Park, Airman 1st Class Erin McDonough of East Greenbush and Airman 1st Class Nicole Wasileski of Castleton have graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Mantzouris is the son of Emmanuel Mantzouris of Averill Park. He is a 2004 graduate of LaSalle Institute, Troy.

McDonough is the daughter of Paul and Kim McDonough of East Greenbush. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Columbia High School, East Greenbush.

Wasileski is the daughter of Jeffrey and Toni Wasileski of Castleton. She is a 2007 graduate of Columbia High School, East Greenbush.

News of your soldiers and units can be sent to Duty Calls, Terry Brown, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212 or by e-mail at brownt@timesunion.com.

Ellie