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


A Lorica Technologies Inc. Mule 28 unmanned aerial system carries a live, primed M1A3 Bangalore torpedo toward a concertina wire obstacle moments before release June 22, 2026, on Range 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho. Soldiers with B Company, 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted the proof-of-concept drone-delivered breach as the culmination of months of planning by the battalion's drone working group. The Mule 28 was custom-built by the Ashland, Oregon, manufacturer to lift and release the demolition charge. Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne.
Oregon Guard Engineers Test Drone-Delivered Breach Capability
By Maj. Wayne Clyne, | June 26, 2026
ORCHARD COMBAT TRAINING CENTER, Idaho – Oregon Guard Soldiers breached a wire obstacle with a

Soldiers from C Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment conduct training missions June 6-20, 2026, at the Army Aviation Support Facility 2, Pangborn Airfield in Wenatchee, Washington. The unit took part in one of its busiest annual training cycles, with opportunities to train, build partnerships and recognize the Soldiers in the unit. Courtesy photo.
Washington Guardsmen Sharpen Warrior Skills, Wildfire Response
By Joseph Siemandel, | June 26, 2026
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Washington Army National Guard aviators expanded the state’s emergency response

Maj. Gen. Jack James, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Arnold Reyes, right, the 42nd Infantry Division command team, case the division's colors during the Task Force Spartan transfer of authority ceremony June 6, 2026, in the Middle East. The New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division headquarters served as the command for the Army's Middle Eastern combat element during Operation Epic Fury. Courtesy photo.
Last N.Y. Guardsmen Return Home From Operation Epic Fury
By Eric Durr, | June 26, 2026
TROY, N.Y. – The last of 500 New York National Guard Soldiers who deployed to the Middle East with

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John R. Pippy, adjutant general of the Pennsylvania National Guard, and Chief of the General Staff of the Côte d'Ivoire Armed Forces Gen. Lassina Doumbia sign the official Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program agreement during a ceremony at the 23rd Street Armory in Philadelphia, June 25, 2026. The partnership focuses on sharing operational and crisis management skills while fostering indirect economic synergies between the two regions. Photo by Wayne V. Hall.
Pennsylvania Guard, Côte d’Ivoire Formalize State Partnership
By Wayne Hall, | June 25, 2026
PHILADELPHIA – In a landmark event underscoring a commitment to international security and

Senior Airman Ashlyn Rayl, 134th Security Forces Squadron, talks with a Bulgarian force protection airman before the capstone for Falcon Defender 26, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Plovdiv, Bulgaria, June 12, 2026. Falcon Defender is an exercise integrating the Tennessee Air National Guard and Bulgarian force protection airmen to strengthen bonds and build upon relationships brought about by the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program between the Tennessee National Guard and Bulgaria since 1993. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Johnson.
Tennessee Guard, Bulgaria Partners Train in Falcon Defender 26
By Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Johnson, | June 25, 2026
GRAF IGNATIEVO AIR BASE, Bulgaria – Security Forces Airmen from the Tennessee Air National Guard and

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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.