March in the Mohawk Valley;Rome

Defense has been a part of Rome's history right from it's early days when colonists and the Oneidas defended Ft. Stanwix from the British and Indian allies, right through the Cold War and the First Irag War when Griffiss was a large Air Force installation which housed a squadron of B52's and KC 135 tankers. Now home to a partially filled business park that still includes some military including NEADS (Northeast Air Defense) which monitored the hijacked United flights, and dispatched the military aircraft during 9/11

Ft Stanwix ramparts in foreground, with skyline of Rome in back

B52;"The Mohawk Valley" parked at South entrance of Griffiss business park

East Entrance to Griffiss