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

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Engel, Warrant Officer 1 Courtney Topper, Warrant Officer 1 Jacob Shumway, Warrant Officer 1 Alex G. Sama, chief of logistics for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, and Maj. Edward K. John pose for a photo during a Department of War National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program engagement in Michigan, December 2024. The Michigan National Guard hosted two Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces representatives for a weeklong visit focused on logistics, facility management and sustainment operations, including engagements with the 246th Transportation Battalion and the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Lansing. The exchange strengthened military-to-military cooperation and reinforced the growing partnership between Michigan and Sierra Leone. Photo by 1st Lt. Paige Bodine.

Michigan National Guard Hosts Sierra Leone to Strengthen New Partnership

By 2nd Lt. Paige Bodine, | Dec. 19, 2025

LANSING, Mich.— The partnership between the Michigan National Guard and Sierra Leone recently marked

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment, 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard fill sand bags in Sedro Woolley, Wash., Dec. 11, 2025. More than 300 Washington National Guard members provided flood relief support to citizens in Skagit County since Dec. 10, 2025. Photo by Staff Sgt. Adeline Witherspoon.

National Guard Responds to Historic Flooding in Western Washington

By Joseph Siemandel, | Dec. 19, 2025

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As rivers overtopped banks and levees failed across western Washington, the

Members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, along with volunteers from the Salvation Army and the Alaska National Guard Child and Youth Program, hosted families from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok during Operation Santa Claus 2025 at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on Dec. 14, 2025. Operation Santa Claus, a longstanding annual Alaska National Guard community outreach program, has provided gifts, toys, backpacks and books to children in remote Alaskan communities since 1956. The program partners with the Salvation Army and numerous volunteers to spread holiday cheer and continue its tradition of support. This year’s event supported families who were displaced following Typhoon Halong and provided an opportunity for continued engagement with impacted Western Alaska communities. Photo by Alejandro Peña.

Operation Santa Comes to Anchorage, Spreads Holiday Cheer for Western Alaskans

By Maj. David Bedard, | Dec. 19, 2025

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — For nearly 70 years, the Alaska National Guard has worked

Three Pararescue Airmen from the 131st Rescue Squadron, 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, at left in orange, join for a group photo at Moffett Air National Guard Base in Mountain View with HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter aircrew members from the 129th Rescue Squadron, early in the morning of Dec. 17 after rescuing a woman with a medical emergency from the Ruby Princess cruise ship 130 nautical miles southwest of San Francisco. Courtesy photo.

California Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing Hoists Woman From Cruise Ship

By Tech. Sgt. Crystal Housman, | Dec. 19, 2025

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – A 79-year-old cruise ship passenger found unresponsive Dec. 16 is back on

Cadets from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth Challenge Program Class 2025-1 prepare for a graduation ceremony at the Randolph Riverfront Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, on Dec. 13, 2025. The Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program has produced more than 28,000 graduates over the past three decades and accounts for about 14 percent of all Youth Challenge Program graduates nationwide, leading the nation in annual graduation totals. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet.

Louisiana Guard’s Youth Challenge Program’s 130 Cadets Graduate

By Sgt. 1st Class Scott D. Longstreet, | Dec. 19, 2025

PINEVILLE, La. – One hundred thirty cadets graduated from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth

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.