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

Pvt. Matthew Scaccia, an infantryman with the New Hamphsire National Guard's C Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), poses with his newly earned Airborne wings and Ranger tab Sept. 1 at the state military reservation in Concord. Photo by Sgt. Taylor Kurto.

New Hampshire Guardsman Completes Infantry, Ranger and Airborne Schools Before First Drill

By Sgt. Taylor Kurto, | Sept. 15, 2026

CONCORD, N.H. – Pvt. Matthew Scaccia stood at the open door of a C-130, 1,250 feet above Fort

Col. Glenn Finch, outgoing state command chaplain, left; Brig. Gen. Adam Curry, director of the joint staff for the Florida National Guard, center; and Lt. Col. Lance Sellon, incoming state command chaplain, conduct a changing of the stole ceremony at the Robert F. Ensslin Jr. Armory, Florida, Sept. 12, 2026. The changing of the stole signifies the transfer of spiritual leadership and pastoral care from one chaplain to the next. The ceremony was the first of its kind held by the Florida National Guard and marks the beginning of a new tradition. Photo by Staff Sgt. N.W. Huertas.

Florida Guard Chaplains Host First Changing of the Stole Ceremony

By Staff Sgt. Neysa Huertas Quinones, | Sept. 15, 2026

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Members of the Florida National Guard and guests gathered for the

Axel, a 3-year-old Dogo Argentino and ministry dog with the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, poses for a photo during training with his handler, Sgt. Mollie Karazim, a religious affairs specialist with the Michigan National Guard. Axel, who was born deaf, uses visual cues and hand signals to communicate with Karazim and knows more than 50 commands, including several in American Sign Language. Axel will deploy alongside the battalion and continue supporting soldiers throughout the mission. Courtesy photo.

Deaf Ministry Dog to Deploy With Michigan Guard Handler

By 1st Lt. Paige Bodine, | Sept. 15, 2026

LANSING, Mich. – As the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment prepares for deployment, one member

A MAVIC 3E drone hovers over a Palletized Load System during counter-UAS convoy operations training at Exercise Thunderstruck 3.0, at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma, Sept. 12, 2026. Exercise Thunderstruck 3.0 integrates aviation, convoy, medical evacuation and unmanned systems training to prepare Oklahoma National Guard members for evolving battlefield threats. Photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon.

Oklahoma Guard Strengthens Critical Capabilities During Exercise Thunderstruck

By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 15, 2026

CAMP GRUBER TRAINING CENTER, Okla. – Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers put their tactics, techniques

Sgt. James Gale, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 4 Josiah Zeiner, right, both with G Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, practice securing the Vita hoist device to an HH-60M Black Hawk with a simulated patient, Spc. Stephanie Rider, at McNary Field Army National Guard Heliport in Salem, Oregon, Dec. 5, 2025. Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne.

Oregon Guard Uses New Hoist Technology in Rescue

By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | Sept. 15, 2026

SALEM, Ore. – A new self-stabilizing hoist device helped an Oregon Army National Guard aircrew

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.