Florida National Guard

FLNG NEWS

Feb. 4, 2024

50th Regional Support Group’s best warriors compete

Nine Florida Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to units within to the 50th Regional Support Group (RSG) reported to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida, to compete at the brigade level of the Best Warrior Competition (BWC) on Feb. 1,

Feb. 4, 2024

202nd RED HORSE hosts annual contingency exercise

The Florida Air National Guard’s 202nd RED HORSE Squadron conducted the FEBEX24 exercise Feb. 2-3 to assess and enhance the readiness of its members. Airmen assigned to the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Civil Engineer Squadron and 125th Medical

Feb. 1, 2024

3/20th holds Special Forces Conditioning and Preparation at Camp Blandin...

Following December’s Special Forces Readiness Evaluation, candidates from all over the country traveled back January 25th-28th for the second phase: Special Forces Conditioning and Preparation. There are multiple areas of participation that

Jan. 21, 2024

50th Regional Support Group conducts change of command ceremony

Army Brig. Gen. William Temple transferred his command of the 50th Regional Support Group to Army Col. Jeremey Davis during a change of command ceremony in Homestead, Florida, on Jan. 21, 2024.

Jan. 7, 2024

Florida Guard Soldier helps train Ukrainian forces, receives award from ...

Army Sgt. Iuliia Nichols, a culinary specialist assigned to the Florida Army National Guard’s (FLARNG) 927th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB), received Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Award for her contributions in training Ukrainian soldiers

NEWS AROUND THE NATIONAL GUARD

U.S. Master Sgt. Dan Doyle and Tech Sgt. Alex Morin, propulsion technicians with the 103d Maintenance Group, complete engine maintenance on a C-130 Hercules in the hangar in East Granby, Conn., on Oct. 3, 2025. Flying Yankee maintainers took on additional workloads over the last year to ensure the fleet received 3.5 engine modifications in time for a summer deployment. Photo by Captain Jen Kaprielian.

Connecticut Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing Completes Major C-130 Fleet Modernization

By Capt. Jennifer Kaprielian, | Dec. 29, 2025

EAST GRANBY, Conn. – This year marked a major milestone for the Connecticut Air National Guard’s

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Josh Lapooh, a special warfare tactical air control party Airman assigned to the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, trains on close air support operations at Saylor Creek Bombing Range, Idaho, Dec. 16, 2025. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph R. Morgan.

2025 Marks Historic Year for Guard Members

By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, | Dec. 23, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. – For many Guard members, 2025 was a busy year.Soldiers and Airmen deployed overseas.

Multiple Illinois Army National Guard 725th Transportation Company Soldiers were awarded military medals ranging from Meritorious Service Medals to Army Achievement Medals during the unit’s Welcome Home ceremony, Dec. 13, 2025, at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, Ill. The unit deployed in support of U.S. European Command from October 2024 to September 2025. About 160 Soldiers from the Machesney Park, Ill.-based unit celebrated a deployment to U.S. European Command in which the unit completed more than 93 real-world missions, supported two major multinational exercises and delivered more than 2.1 million gallons of fuel – all while making personal and professional improvements in themselves. Photo by Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton.

Illinois Guard’s 725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled

By Lt. Col. Bradford Leighton, | Dec. 23, 2025

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. – About 160 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Machesney Park-based

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brittany Fralick, a production recruiter with the 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, center, is honored with a sabre salute during the Operation Blue Suit banquet at the Hidden Gem in New Braunfels, Texas, March 27, 2025. The Operation Blue Suit Award is presented to recruiters who surpass all goals and showcase outstanding development by making a direct impact on end strength mission. Courtesy photo.

Air National Guard Touts Key Changes After Record-Setting Recruitment Year

By Master Sgt. Erich Smith, | Dec. 23, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard's most successful recruiting year, with nearly 12,000 new

New York Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome, New York, prepare for their Santa Tracking on Christmas Eve as part of their North American Aerospace Defense Command mission on Dec. 19, 2025. Families can go to NORAD's

New York Air Guard Supports NORAD's Annual Santa Tracking Operation on Christmas Eve

By Timothy Jones, | Dec. 22, 2025

ROME, N.Y. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command defends the North American airspace 24

AG REPORT 2024

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FLNG HIGHLIGHTS

Maj. Gen. Robert Carruthers, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jasen Pask , right, award Spc. David Little as the Best Warrior Soldier of the Year at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, March 3, 2024. Best Warrior 2024 is an annually held competition that tests Florida Army National Guard Soldiers mental and physical endurance as they compete against peers. ( U.S. Army photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas)

FLANG concludes Best Warrior 2024

By Sgt. Neysa Huertas Quinones | March 3, 2024

Best Warrior 2024 is complete, and Staff Sgt. Benjamin Corry, 2-116th Field Artillery Battalion, and Spc. David Little, 2-111th Aviation Regiment, were named the NCO and Soldier Best Warrior award recipients.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Danielewicz, commander of the 125th Medical Group Detachment 1 assumes command of the detachment, during a ceremony March 3, 2023, at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Jesse Hanson)

Assumption of Command

By Senior Airman Jesse Hanson | March 3, 2024

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brian Danielewicz, commander of the 125th Medical Group Detachment 1 assumes command of the detachment, during a ceremony March 3, 2023, at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Perez, right, receives the Meritorious Service Medal from U.S. Air Force Col. Jarrett Virgil, 16th Air Force Air National Guard advisor to the commander during a retirement ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, March 2, 2024. Perez retired after 36
years of service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Brooke Keisler)

Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Perez Retirement Ceremony

By Senior Airman Brooke Keisler | March 2, 2024

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ramon Perez speaks during his retirement ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, March 2, 2024. Perez retired after 36 years of service

Florida National Guard Soldiers stand in formation at 83rd Troop Command's change of command ceremony for Col. Jason Hunt, Commander 83rd Troop Command, at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center on March 2nd, 2024. (Photo taken by Mr. Orion Oettel)

83rd Troop Command Change of Command Ceremony

By Mr. Orion Oettel | March 2, 2024

Maj. Gen. Robert Carruthers, Commander of the Florida Army National Guard, presided over the 83rd Troop Command's change of command on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.

Last Friday, on March 1st, we said farewell to Col. Gray Johnson, 16th Chief of Staff of the Florida Army National Guard.
Maj. Gen. Robert Carruthers presided over the retirement ceremony at historic Cooper Hall on Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, where Col. Johnson's 30 years of service as a Florida Army National Guard soldier were recognized.
Thank you for your inspirational guidance and mentorship, sir, and best wishes in your future endeavors!

Col. Gray Johnson Retirement

By Mr. William Manley | March 1, 2024

Last Friday, on March 1st, we said farewell to Col. Gray Johnson, 16th Chief of Staff of the Florida Army National Guard.