Adjutant General’s Message

The Florida National Guard and Department of Military Affairs remains engaged as a community-based organization committed to serving the citizens of Florida.  This periodic newsletter highlights the accomplishments and activities of our organization as we prepare for and execute both state and federal missions. Please reach out to the Florida National Guard’s Public Affairs Office at (904) 823-0166 or ng.fl.flarng.list.pao@army.mil with any recommendations or questions about our newsletter.

 

 

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.
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.
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
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.
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FLNG NEWS

Left to right: Army Col. Jeremey Davis, 50th Regional Support Group (RSG) commander; Spc. Nicanor Echeverria, combat medic assigned to Bravo Company, 260th Military Intelligence Battalion, Army Staff Sergeant Austin Jensen, S-2 noncommissioned officer in charge assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 50th RSG; Army Sgt. Michael Parkins, utilities equipment repairman assigned to the 631st Support Maintenance Company; and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Delano, 50th RSG command sergeant major, pose after announcing the winners of the 50th RSG’s Best Warrior Competition (BWC) during an awards ceremony at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center on Feb. 3, 2024. During the brigade-level contest, Echeverria earned the title of “Solider of the Year,” Jensen won “NCO of the Year,” and Parkins received the “Warrior Spirit” award. Echeverria and Jensen will go on to represent the 50th RSG at the state-level BWC. The 50th RSG is a Florida Army National Guard unit headquartered in Homestead, Florida. (U.S. Army Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski.)
50th Regional Support Group’s best warriors compete
By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | Feb. 4, 2024
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, 2024.
Airman 1st Class Sarah Wilford, 202nd RED HORSE Squadron structural maintenance apprentice, responds to a simulated hostile enemy during the FEBEX24 exercise at Camp Blanding, Florida, Feb. 2, 2024. This exercise allowed the reinforcement and implementation of their training in a safe environment, while performing under simulated challenges they may face while down range. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Brooke Keisler)
202nd RED HORSE hosts annual contingency exercise
By Senior Airman Brooke Keisler | Feb. 4, 2024
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 Group also participated in the exercise.
A candidate receives instruction for land navigation during Special Forces Conditioning and Preparation (SFCP) at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Fla., Jan. 27, 2024. Florida Army National Guardsmen from 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group hosted the four-day event where participants honed necessary skills under the guidance of experienced special forces operators. SFCP focuses on the mentorship of those embarking on one of the military's most grueling challenges, special forces selection. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas)
3/20th holds Special Forces Conditioning and Preparation at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center
By Sgt. Spencer Rhodes | Feb. 1, 2024
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 candidates must participate in before being chosen for National Guard Special Forces
Army Col. Jeremey Davis (left) receives the colors for the 50th Regional Support Group (RSG) from Army Maj. Gen. Robert Carruthers (right), assistant adjutant general – Army and commander of the Florida Army National Guard, during a change of command ceremony in Homestead, Florida, on Jan. 21, 2024. Davis accepting the colors is symbolic of assuming his new position as RSG commander. (U.S. Army Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski.)
50th Regional Support Group conducts change of command ceremony
By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | Jan. 21, 2024
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.
Army Sgt. Iuliia Nichols (second from the left), a culinary specialist assigned to the Florida Army National Guard’s 927th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, has just received Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Award for her contributions in training Ukrainian soldiers. Ukrainian army Maj. Gen. Oleksiy Taran (second from the right, foreground), head of the Main Department of Doctrine and Training of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, presented Nichols with this honor at an awards ceremony during the Joint Training Conference in Wiesbaden, Germany, December 2023. Nichols has used her linguistic skills speaking Russian, Ukrainian and English to serve as an interpreter to facilitate the training of Ukrainian forces, support senior officers, and perform as a diplomatic escort. Note: This image has been altered for operational security reasons. (Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Maxim Kargin.)
Florida Guard Soldier helps train Ukrainian forces, receives award from senior official
By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | Jan. 7, 2024
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 from Ukrainian army Maj. Gen. Oleksiy Taran, head of the Main Department of Doctrine and Training of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in Wiesbaden, Germany, in December 2023.
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