Two New York Army National Guard units that recently returned from the Afghanistan War have new commanders.

New York Army National Guard Capt. Dermot Gavin of East Durham has assumed command of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry from Capt. Shawn Tabankinof Clifton Park during a ceremony in Gloversville.

Tabankin has been reassigned to serve as the force integration and readiness officer for the New York Army National Guard.

New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. Mark Collotonof Schenectady, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has assumed command of Company E of 427th Brigade Support Battalion from Capt. Steven Kitchenof Albany during a ceremony in Niskayuna.

Both change of command ceremonies were held in conjunction with a National Guard "Freedom Salute" event that recognizes soldiers' recent Afghanistan war service. Each soldier received an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard.

Gavin, who joined the New York Army National guard in 2006, previously served as an infantry platoon leader, company executive officer and battalion logistics officer.

He served as an platoon leader with the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, in 2009.

He has earned two Bronze Star Medals, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device and a Combat Infantryman Badge,

Colloton previously served as a food service worker, battalion motor officer, maintenance platoon leader and maintenance control officer.

He most recently served as a logistics liaison officer for the New York Army National Guard's response to Hurricane Sandy. Prior to that, he served in Afghanistan with the 108th Infantry in Afghanistan. Prior to earning his commission, he served in Iraq as a team leader for convoy operations in Iraq from 2004 to 2005.

Colloton has served as a federal technician for the New York Army National Guard since 2007. He worked in the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office as a supply technician from 2007 to 2010 and currently works in the Directorate of Logistics.

Colloton earned his commission in 2009 through Officer Candidate School at the Fort McClellan Military Academy, Ala. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University at Delhi. He has earned an Army Commendation Medal, a Reserve Components Achievement Medal and a Combat Action Badge.

Colloton's units supported Task Force Iron that was responsible for enhancing the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces to secure Highway One in from Herat City to Nimroz Province in western Afghanistan.

In 100 days of combat operations, the Task Force conducted 572 combat missions, including 20 air assault operations. It found and cleared dozens of improvised explosive devices and assisted the Afghan Army in establishing security along 200 miles of Highway One.

Higgins, who has been vice commander of the wing since August 2011, previously served as the Air National Guard adviser to the Air Force Special Operations Command and as Air National Guard adviser for Air Force Strategic Planning.

As commander of the 107th Airlift Wing, Higgins is responsible for the deployment and employment of more than 800 assigned personnel and equipment ensuring these assets are available to support all state and national requirements.