http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/guard/ en-us Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:33:42 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2136220/posts WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2008 – The National Guard is taking a biblical verse to heart: “They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” Commanders in Afghanistan are looking forward to the deployment of two agri-business development teams next year. The teams – one from Indiana and one from Tennessee – are made up of National Guardsmen with farming backgrounds. They will serve a year in Afghanistan advising local governments and people on agricultural practices. An agri-business development team from Texas already is working in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province. “The focus of all we do is the... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2136220/posts#comment Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:33:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135581/posts CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, Nov. 20, 2008 – The Ohio Army National Guard's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is making its presence felt in three key areas of Central Command: Kuwait, Iraq and now in Afghanistan. About 40 soldiers from the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team prepare for an upcoming mission to Afghanistan to establish critical communications assets. The Ohio National Guard brigade, nearing the end of a yearlong tour, is sending about 40 signal soldiers into Afghanistan to establish critical communications assets. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. About 40 soldiers from the brigade have been... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135581/posts#comment Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:24:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132370/posts WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2008 – Hanging from the walls of restaurants in Belgrade, Serbia, are the flags of the state of Ohio. Other restaurants advertise when they will re-broadcast the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns football games. As you walk through the streets, you see children wearing red-and-white Ohio State sweatshirts. What’s up with this? Since when did Ohio become so important in Serbia? The answer lies with the military. The Ohio National Guard is the state partner of the Serbian military. The military-to-military contacts between the two organizations have blossomed into a cultural phenomenon in Serbia. “We are very... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132370/posts#comment Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:02:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2129632/posts LOGAN, Utah, Nov. 10, 2008 – A member of the Utah National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group received the Meritorious Service Medal here Nov. 1 at halftime of a Utah State University football game in front of thousands of appreciative fans – and his teammates. Michael Green, a lineman on the Utah State Aggies football team, stands at attention during a Nov. 1, 2008, halftime ceremony. Green received the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Afghanistan with the Utah National Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group. Photo courtesy of Utah State University  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2129632/posts#comment Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:10:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2127414/posts HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii, Nov. 6, 2008 – A combined U.S. and Australian team evacuated an Australian civilian in Antarctica to a hospital in Hobart, Australia, yesterday. An LC-130 Hercules sits on an improvised ice runway at Davis Station, Antarctica, Nov. 3, 2008. A U.S. and Australian medical team moved an injured Australian civilian aboard the aircraft from the camp to a hospital in Hobart, Australia. The mission was flown as part of Operation Deep Freeze, commanded by U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2127414/posts#comment Thu, 6 Nov 2008 23:56:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2127411/posts MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan, Nov. 6, 2008 – Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelman Khersonsky recalls spending summers in his youth as a Pioneer “scout” of the Soviet Union at Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul Lake. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kelman Khersonsky refuels an aircraft over Afghanistan during one of the last refueling missions of his deployment to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, Oct. 29, 2008. U.S. Air Force photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. It never crossed his mind then that he might one day return to the former Soviet republic as a KC-135 Stratotanker boom operator with the Pennsylvania Air... Face of Defence http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2127411/posts#comment Thu, 6 Nov 2008 23:52:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126505/posts ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 5, 2008 – Basketball legend and avid motorcyclist Michael Jordan is the latest high-profile celebrity to team up with the National Guard. A National Guard citizen-soldier compares himself to 6-foot-6 Michael Jordan in Orlando, Fla., as the basketball legend and avid motorcyclist prepares to unveil the 2009 No. 23 National Guard Michael Jordan Motorsports Superbike to more than 2,100 cheering Guardsmen on Oct. 9, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Jordan and Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, unveiled the 2009 No. 23... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2126505/posts#comment Thu, 6 Nov 2008 00:25:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2125138/posts SALEM, Ore., Nov. 4, 2008 – The Oregon National Guard has established a partnership with one of the most populous -- and according to many at the State Department, one of the more strategically located -- countries in South Asia. A delegation from the Oregon National Guard meets with key civic and military leaders in Bangladesh to discuss a collaborative partnership between Oregon and the South Asian country. Bangladesh is the first official partner for Oregon in the State Department's "State Partnership Program", developed to foster alliances between the United States and foreign countries. U.S. Army photo   (Click photo... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2125138/posts#comment Wed, 5 Nov 2008 00:27:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114532/posts ALEXANDRIA, La., Oct. 24, 2008 – Along with the variety of camouflaged military vehicles that rolled along Louisiana’s roadways during hurricanes Gustav and Ike, two newly wrapped trailers, covered with an American flag design and National Guard logo, rushed to distribution points to make deliveries to soldiers and residents in need of supplies. A newly wrapped trailer with an American flag design and the Louisiana National Guard logo parks at the U.S. Property and Fiscal Office on Camp Beauregard, La., before making its first public appearance in response to hurricanes Gustav and Ike. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Tresa... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114532/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:16:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114525/posts FORT BRAGG, N.C., Oct. 24, 2008 – Humvees rolled along a gravel road cut through the center of the small village made up of nondescript, cinder block buildings, stones crunching under their large tires. Army Sgt. Arnulfo Gomez, an infantryman with the Illinois National Guard’s B Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, pulls security duty outside a building as other team members play Afghan tribal leaders during a training scenario at Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 9, 2008. Gomez and his unit are a part of a provincial reconstruction team scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan’s Khowst province. U.S. Army photo... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2114525/posts#comment Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:04:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2113578/posts NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 23, 2008 – As Joint Task Force Gator continues to help with security in New Orleans, many of the city’s residents are becoming comfortable with the attention the soldiers and airmen of the Louisiana National Guard have been giving them. A Louisiana Army National Guard soldier and New Orleans police respond to a vehicle fire in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. The soldier is a member of Joint Task Force Gator, which helps the New Orleans Police Department provide security. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2113578/posts#comment Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:24:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111642/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2008 – A day-long event Oct. 18, hosted by five branches of a major retailer, netted a plethora of items for Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon to pack up and ship to members of the New Jersey Army National Guard. Food, personal care items, small electronics, entertainment items and cash donations were collected in bins placed in five Best Buy stores to benefit New Jersey units, said Alan Krutchkoff, Adopt-a-Soldier Platoon’s president. “We’ve found that people enjoy connecting with our troops, especially when their donations reach soldiers from the local area,” he said. “Best Buy is helping us make... America Supports You http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111642/posts#comment Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:41:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111631/posts WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2008 – The National Fraternal Order of Police formalized its support here yesterday for the men and women who wear both the military uniform and that of their local law enforcement agencies. Chuck Canterbury, front right, president of the National Fraternal Order of Police, signs his commitment of support to police officers who serve in the military during a ceremony Oct. 20, 2008, at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 1 in Washington, D.C. Canterbury is joined by Thomas F. Hall, front left, assistant defense secretary for reserve affairs, Gordon Sumner, back left, executive director... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111631/posts#comment Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:32:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107734/posts ALEXANDRIA, La., Oct. 16, 2008 – His look is piercing. His movements are sharp. His skills are among the best. He wears a patch on his left shoulder that identifies him as the first National Guard soldier in the state of Louisiana certified to train others to meet the high standards embodied by a member of the Military Funeral Honors Program. Shreveport, La., native Army Sgt. Michael A. Huff is the first Louisiana National Guard soldier to complete the Army’s Honor Guard Train the Trainer Course at Camp Robinson, Ark. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Tresa L. Allemang  (Click photo... Face of Defence http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2107734/posts#comment Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:56:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096220/posts ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 2, 2008 – Many NASCAR fans are accustomed to seeing the National Guard name on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. The Army National Guard will sponsor driver Landon Cassill in the Mountain Dew 250 Fueled by Winn-Dixie NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The sponsorship of Cassill, who drives the No. 81 truck, at Talladega ties in with Guard recruiting and retention events to be held during the race. Photo by Nigel Kinrade  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Recently, however, the Guard added another driver and racing series to... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2096220/posts#comment Thu, 2 Oct 2008 23:48:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083098/posts LAKE CHARLES, La., Sept. 15, 2008 – While more than 7,000 Louisiana National Guardsmen were activated to assist in hurricane recovery operations in Louisiana, an officer with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had the great satisfaction of taking part in the rescue of one of his own family members. As the storm surge from Hurricane Ike, the second major hurricane to batter the Gulf Coast in less than two weeks, made its way along the coast, Army Maj. Bryant R. Billiot, chief intelligence officer and a native of Dulac, La., received a call from his worried sister. “She told... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2083098/posts#comment Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:52:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081228/posts WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2008 – A small school district in South Dakota is being honored for its partnership with its military employees and the local community. Winner School District, in Winner, S.D., is one of 15 companies chosen to receive the 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which recognizes employers who provide exceptional support to employees serving in the National Guard or Reserve. Winner School District always has been family-oriented, so supporting its employees who serve in the military is like second nature, said Mike Hanson, school district superintendent. “We feel it’s our responsibility to offer that support,... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081228/posts#comment Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:45:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081206/posts ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2008 – Seven years ago today, Army Col. William Stoppel dropped his 9-month-old son, Will, at day care and went to work. “It was my son’s first day at Pentagon day care,” Stoppel said. “I came in early, got him situated and went in to the office.” The day happened to be Sept. 11, 2001. Stoppel was assigned to the Army’s personnel office, where he processed promotion packets. When Stoppel got to his office, he borrowed some socks from Chief Warrant Officer William Ruth of the Maryland National Guard, talked to newly engaged Medical Service Corps... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081206/posts#comment Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:16:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081198/posts ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 11, 2008 – The Air National Guard has met its fiscal 2008 end-strength goal of 106,700 airmen, the first time it’s met its target end strength since 2003, National Guard Bureau officials announced yesterday. Recruiting and retention combined to produce the achievement. The Air Guard recruited 1,194 airmen in August, 107 percent of its goal of 1,116. To date for fiscal 2008, which ends Sept. 30, the Air Guard has retained 16,518 personnel, 107.3 percent of its goal of 15,390. Air Force Lt. Col. Randy Johnson, chief of Air Guard recruiting and retention, attributed the milestone to... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2081198/posts#comment Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:10:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074965/posts WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2008 – The National Association of Postmasters gave Guardsmen and reservists its full backing last week when the organization’s president signed an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support. Dale Goff Jr., president of the National Association of Postmasters of the United States, displays the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Statement of Support he signed Aug. 27, 2008. An additional 400 postmasters signed Statements of Support at the ESGR booth during the NAPUS national conference that took place Aug. 23-28, 2008, in St. Louis. Photo courtesy of Employer Support of the... America Supports You http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2074965/posts#comment Thu, 4 Sep 2008 23:59:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070702/posts GALESBURG, Ill., Aug. 29, 2008 – A tour in Vietnam, flood duty in 1993 and 2001, a tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006, and flood duty in 2008. That is only part of the highlight reel for a 58-year-old Oquawka, Ill., man who is about to hang up his combat boots after a military career that has spanned nearly 40 years. Army Staff Sgt. Norris Crooks prepares to fire a final ceremonial howitzer round while Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery, performs annual training at Fort McCoy, Wis., in July 2008. Photo courtesy of Army Sgt. 1st... Face of Defence http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070702/posts#comment Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:15:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070250/posts CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2008 – The chief of the National Guard Bureau came to see his troops serving here during a two-day visit that began Aug. 26. Army Chief Warrant Officer Russell Hoyer from Voorheesville, N.Y., assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix Logistics Task Force, poses for a photo with Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum was accompanied by Army Command Sgt. Maj. David Ray... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2070250/posts#comment Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:02:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065190/posts WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2008 – When they found out one of their own was going to deploy overseas with the Tennessee National Guard, the leadership and employees of Lochinvar Corp. didn’t waste any time. They immediately found out what they could do to help, and they worked together to help him and his unit before, during and after the deployment. The deploying employee, Army Sgt. 1st Class Bill Jacobs, who was an Apache helicopter platoon sergeant with the National Guard and a manufacturing engineer manager with Lochinvar, was so impressed with the level of support he received that he... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2065190/posts#comment Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:50:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061536/posts WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2008 – Kim Robinson knows that when military members deploy, they face a lot of stress overseas on top of worrying about their families at home. To help alleviate that stress, Robinson has committed to do what he can to ease the burden on the families of his employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Robinson’s company, Robinson Transport, of Salina, Utah, provides $1,000 a month to the families of employees who are deployed with the National Guard or Reserve. This money is meant to supplement the family’s income, and the company still pays all... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2061536/posts#comment Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:31:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2060820/posts KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 12, 2008 – More than 1,000 residents of Ud Kheil village here were treated by Afghan medical staff and received medicine, vitamins and personal items through a joint assistance operation conducted by New York Army National Guard, Afghan and British soldiers Aug. 7. Army Capt. Joseph Merrill works with a translator to direct a father seeking medical attention for his son. Merrill, a native of Binghamton, N.Y., is a member of the New York National Guard. U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2060820/posts#comment Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:14:55 GMT