Republican New York State Assemblymember Brian Maher, who represents District 101, which includes Wawarsing, has returned from his nine-month military deployment in the horn of Africa and Middle East.

Maher, who lives in Montgomery with his wife Rebecca and three children, serves as a reservist in the Navy as a petty officer second class logistics specialist. His deployment, which began last fall, was part of Operation Epic Fury, the American and Israeli war against Iran. Maher spent time in Bahrain and Djibouti, arriving in Camp Lemonnier in December 2025.

“As Operation Epic Fury began in late February, Maher’s base served as the primary logistical and operational anchor in the southern theater. As initial strikes commenced, Camp Lemonnier served as the critical staging point for fuel, weapons and theater airlift,” reads a press release provided by Maher’s office. “As the conflict continued over the next six months, Maher’s unit withstood the danger of one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles from Iran and Iranian-backed Houthis located in Yemen.”

Previously, Maher took part in Operation Enduring Freedom, the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Mobilization Device, and other awards and commendations.

Maher’s office says he “remained fully staffed and operational, continuing to assist residents, attend community events and advocate for legislative priorities.” Maher continued to reach out to colleagues while serving, and thanked Meghan Hurlburt, Maher’s chief of staff and spokeswoman, and Kristin Mulligan, the director of operations. Maher also thanked “our entire dedicated staff in Albany and within the district.”

“I want to say thank you to my constituents for your support, for me and my family, throughout this deployment,” Maher said. “Thank you to all those who reached out or kept me and my family in your prayers. It meant a great deal to us.”