New York Army National Guard Col. Jason Lefton of Niskayuna, an Iraq War veteran, took command of 5,100 soldiers of the 53rd Troop Command during a ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site, Cortlandt Manor.
Lefton replaced Brig. Gen. Isabel Smith, who retired after 37 years of military service.
Major Gen. Raymond Shield, state adjutant general, presided over the change-of-command ceremony…