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. Army Maj. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, right, adjutant general for the Ohio National Guard, and Angolan Aviation Gen. Altino Carlos José dos Santos, left, chief of the General Staff of the Angolan Armed Forces, sign a Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program agreement prior to the 2026 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Luanda, Angola, June 29, 2026. The agreement formalized the Ohio National Guard's partnership with Angola, establishing a long-term framework for military cooperation, leadership development and institutional collaboration in support of regional security and stability. Chiefs of defense and representatives from more than 35 countries, as well as U.S. and partner military leaders, gathered for the 2026 African Chiefs of Defense Conference, or ACHOD, which serves as the key forum for senior military officials to address shared security threats, enhance regional stability and discuss collaborative frameworks that enable long-term investment and economic growth across the continent. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Moegar.

Ohio Guard, Angola Sign State Partnership Program Agreement

By Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk, | July 8, 2026

LUANDA, Angola – Senior military leaders from the Republic of Angola, the Ohio National Guard and

Mechanics and logisticians with the Washington National Guard wrapped up a three-week maintenance and logistics exchange with the Royal Thai Army in Ko Chan District on May 30, 2026. The bilateral exchange sought to improve the performance and longevity of Thailand’s armored vehicle fleet. National Guard instructors teamed up with their Royal Thai Army counterparts to develop and deliver the dual-track curriculum. The training program paired a two-week Stryker and wheeled vehicle maintenance course with a one week sustainment and logistics management seminar in Ko Chan District. The training produced 19 graduates from the 11th Maintenance Support Battalion and Forward Support Companies 1 and 2. Photo by Peter Chang.

Washington Guard Boosts Thai Partners’ Armored Fleet Readiness

By Peter Chang, | July 8, 2026

CHON BURI PROVINCE, Thailand – Mechanics and logisticians with the Washington National Guard wrapped

Maj. Pierre Matte, Joint Operations Center Battle Manager, updates Ken Flowers, National Guard Bureau chief information officer/J6’s chief tech officer and division chief, J65 National Guard Bureau on the National Guard support to Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, June 26, 2026 at the Joint Operations Center, Camp Murray, Washington. Photo by Joseph Siemandel.

Washington Guard Tests Project Homeland During World Cup

By Joseph Siemandel, | July 8, 2026

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The Washington National Guard’s Joint Operations Center was assessed during a

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitchell Johnson, second from the right, the adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, speaks with the military member of Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency, or NCPA, left, during a visit to a field operations center at the field exercise portion of Operation Lignite Coast 2026 in Agome-Glozou, Togo, June 15, 2026. U.S. Army Capt. Euston Harp, team chief for Civil Affairs Team Togo, A Company, Civil Affairs Battalion, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, or SETAF-AF, stands on the right. Operation Lignite Coast 2026 was a training event conducted June 8-18, 2026, in various locations in Togo, focused on improving the Togolese government’s capacity to handle a variety of emergency scenarios. It culminated in a three-day field exercise that provided the NCPA’s civilian and military personnel with practical application of training concepts they previously learned in emergency response. Planning Lignite Coast began in December 2025 and involved significant collaboration with the North Dakota National Guard, Togo’s state partner through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski.

Togolese Officials Sharpen Disaster Response With North Dakota, Army Partners

By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | July 8, 2026

AGOME-GLOZOU, Togo – Togo’s National Civil Protection Agency, or NCPA, conducted a field training

Soldiers assigned to the 131st Aviation Regiment prepare a sling load for hookup during annual training at Camp Dawson, West Virginia, June 4, 2026. The training develops Soldiers’ proficiency in aerial transport operations and supports the unit’s aviation readiness. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Charles Woodruff.

North Carolina Guard Aviation Units Build Mission-Essential Skills

By 2nd Lt. Bridget Pittman-Blackwell, | July 7, 2026

MORRISVILLE, N.C. – Soldiers assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade conducted annual training

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.