News Around the 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


Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, conduct helicopter bucket training and qualification in Picacho, Ariz., March 5, 2026. The training sharpens pilot and crew chief coordination while sustaining the unit’s readiness to respond to wildfires and support operations at home and abroad. Photo by Sgt. Samantha Hill.
Arizona Guard Helicopter Battalion Hones Wildfire Response Skills
By Sgt. Samantha Hill, | March 13, 2026
PICACHO, Ariz. – Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard,

Clackamas and Gresham firefighters prepare to work in a contaminated zone by donning protective chemical suits during response procedures in an Air Monitoring Exercise on Feb. 26, 2026, in Clackamas, Oregon. The training brought together partner agencies, including the Oregon National Guard CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package, or CERFP, and the Environmental Protection Agency, after an Oregon Emergency Response System notification, with a focus on technical decontamination response actions. This multi-agency exercise improved the synchronization of radio communications across all systems, allowing incident commanders to make informed decisions during real-world emergencies. Photo by John Hughel
Oregon Guard Specialized Team Boosts Chemical Leak Preparedness
By John Hughel, | March 13, 2026
PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard's 102nd CBRN, or Chemical, Biological, Radiological,

Maj. Andriy Karpenko, UAS/C-UAS officer, Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, discusses different UAS, or unmanned aerial systems, operating systems with police officers at the 2026 Tribal Police Leadership & Counterdrug Conference March 10, 2026, at the Thurston County Readiness Center, Tumwater, Wash. Photo by Joseph Siemandel.
Washington Guard Hosts Annual Tribal Police, Counterdrug Conference
By Joseph Siemandel, | March 13, 2026
TUMWATER, Wash. – With a focus on increasing public safety and reducing the availability of illegal

Florida Army National Sgt. Benford Rosenfeldt, a combat medic and platoon sergeant assigned to Kosovo Force, or KFOR, Regional Command-East’s Task Force Medical, leads hands‑on lifesaving training for local health clinic providers in Obilić, Kosovo, on Feb. 24, 2026. Task Force Medical’s training and partnership help maintain a safe and secure environment for all the people of Kosovo by improving local medical response and readiness. Photo by Staff Sgt. Seth Lacount.
Army Guard Medics Strengthen Kosovo Clinic with Lifesaving Training
By Staff Sgt. Seth LaCount, | March 11, 2026
CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – National Guard Soldiers assigned to NATO’s Kosovo Force, or KFOR, Regional

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, shares his leadership philosophy with Kentucky Guardsmen at the 2026 National Guard Association of Kentucky conference at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 28, 2026. Photo by 1st Sgt. Scott Raymond.
Kentucky National Guard ‘Ready for the Future,’ Army Guard Director Tells Leaders
By Lt. Col. Carla Raisler, | March 11, 2026
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The director of the Army National Guard praised the Kentucky National Guard’s

Watch Year in Review 2021-2022

AG REPORT 2024

DOWNLOAD AG REPORT

 

 

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.