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. Air Force Master Sgt. Dustin Frey, 154th Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, flight technician, presents and reviews hook and line equipment to the Indonesian Air Force EOD on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 21, 2026. Hawaii National Guard service members such as Frey routinely train with Indonesian Air Force counterparts through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, which aims to enhance disaster response, aviation, medical readiness, cybersecurity and professional development between the partner nations. Photo by Senior Airman Roann Gatdula.

Hawaii Guard, Indonesian Partners Unite for Explosives Training

By Senior Airman Roann Gatdula, | Aug. 6, 2026

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – For the first time in their 20-year partnership, Hawaii Air National

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, address the 55th annual conference of the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States, Daytona Beach, Florida, Aug. 2, 2026. Photo by Master Sgt. Zach Sheely.

Nordhaus, Raines Praise Enlisted Force for Delivering ‘Always Ready, Always There’

By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely and Master Sgt. Sarah McClanahan, | Aug. 5, 2026

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Drawing on nearly four centuries of service and the National Guard’s ongoing

Members of the 51st Civil Support Team, Michigan National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, and other responders are on the St. Marys River during the culminating training event for Operation Iron Wave at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Operation Iron Wave is an interagency training exercise that prepares local, state and federal agencies to respond to threats against critical infrastructure. Photo by Capt. Cameron McPhail.

Michigan Guard Strengthens Emergency Response Partnerships

By Capt. Cameron McPhail, | Aug. 5, 2026

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Military personnel including the Michigan National Guard, first responders

Air Force Brig. Gen. Phillip L. Mallory, Hawaii Air National Guard commander, passes the Headquarters Hawaii Air National Guard Recruiting and Retention Flight guidon to Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Buendia, Headquarters Hawaii Air National Guard Recruiting Flight commander, symbolizing Buendia's acceptance of command of the flight during the unit's activation ceremony held at Pearl Highlands Center in Pearl City, Hawaii, Aug. 1, 2026. Before the flight’s activation, recruiting and retention efforts fell under the Hawaii Air National Guard personnel directorate. The establishment of the Hawaii Air National Guard’s first dedicated Recruiting and Retention Flight creates a team focused on recruiting new Airmen, retaining experienced personnel and strengthening accession support across the organization. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Orlando Corpuz.

Hawaii Air Guard Establishes Recruiting and Retention Flight

By Tech. Sgt. Orlando Corpuz, | Aug. 5, 2026

PEARL CITY, Hawaii – The Hawaii Air National Guard activated its first Recruiting and Retention

A U.S. Air Force special tactics Airman from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing jumps into Henry E. Rohlsen Airport near Christiansted in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Aug. 26, 2025 as part of Emerald Warrior 25.2, a large-scale special operations exercise being staged in multiple locations by Air Force Special Operations Command. The Airman, joined by 10 other combat controllers and pararescuemen, took control of the airfield to receive follow-on aircraft in support of simulated combat and contingency operations. Photo by Phil Speck.

Air National Guard Details Bonuses, Policy Changes Amid ‘Summer Surge Incentives’

By Master Sgt. Erich Smith, | Aug. 4, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard is rolling out sweeping recruiting and retention

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.