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

Maj. Joel Loranger, the operations officer for the 157th Security Forces Squadron, is awarded the Bronze Star Medal May 2, 2026, at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. Loranger earned the decoration for his leadership as the defense force commander at Al Asad Air Base from April to October 2025. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Timothy Hayden.

New Hampshire Air Guard Officer Awarded Bronze Star

By Tech. Sgt. Timothy Hayden, | May 8, 2026

PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. — A New Hampshire Air National Guard officer was awarded the

Louisiana National Guard Soldiers conduct a roving patrol as part of Task Force NOLA operations during French Quarter Fest. The Louisiana National Guard activated approximately 120 Soldiers under Task Force NOLA to support enhanced security operations in the French Quarter, contributing to the safety and success of the French Quarter Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Louisiana National Guard Supports Festival Security Operations

By Spc. Duncan Foote, | May 8, 2026

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard activated approximately 120 Soldiers under Task Force

Indiana National Guard Sgt. Brendan Bartlett, a cyber specialist with the 147th Cyber Warfare Company, and Spc. Caleb Chambers, assigned to 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment, pose with their award for winning the highest overall combined score alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Mathew Hopkins, Michigan Army National Guard senior enlisted leader, after completing the Region IV Best Warrior Competition at Fort Custer Training Center, Michigan, May 2, 2026. The competition featured competitors from Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Photo by Staff Sgt. Hector Tinoco.

Indiana Guard Soldiers Score Well at Regional Competition

By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry, | May 7, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS – Two Indiana National Guard Soldiers received top honors at a Midwest regional

Spc. Brendan Hays and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller of the 617th Military Police Company escort the winner's trophy onto the Paddock at the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 2026. These Soldiers of the 617th Military Police Company displayed the trophy on the Paddock to guests and viewers as the trophy was captured for live televised broadcast. Photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Sooter.

Kentucky Guard Protects Kentucky Derby Trophy

By Staff Sgt. Caleb Sooter, | May 7, 2026

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On the evening of May 2, the trophy felt heavier in Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller’s

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gene Enriquez, State Partnership Program director with the Vermont National Guard, greets Dr. Amadou Mbaye Diouf, chief physician, during a key leader engagement in Thiès, Senegal, May 4, 2026, to discuss regional healthcare priorities and inform planning for a 2027 medical readiness exercise. The Vermont National Guard has partnered with Senegal through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 2008, strengthening long-term military and civil cooperation through engagements focused on shared readiness and capacity building. African Lion 2026, or AL26, is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, or SETAF-AF, from April 20 to May 8, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Christy L. Sherman.

Vermont National Guard Conducts Key Leader Engagements With Senegal Partners Ahead of 2027 Medical Exercise

By Sgt. 1st Class Christy Sherman, | May 7, 2026

THIÈS, Senegal – Vermont National Guard leaders conducted a pre-deployment site survey in Thiès,

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.