National Guard Not Afghanistan May 01, 2012 Share Read Later Air Force photo / SrA. Christopher S. MuncyOn first glance, you can be forgiven for thinking this is a joint U.S.-Afghan operation raiding a Taliban compound somewhere in Helmand province (just overlook that ocean in the background). Truth is, it's the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing practicing casualty recovery on Plum Island, off the eastern tip of New York’s Long Island, on April 13.