Minuteman Report

The 2012 Air National Guard Safety Summit was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin this week, one of two conferences each year hosted by the Director of the Air National Guard, Lieutenant General Harry M. Wyatt, III. The Summit brings together senior leaders from each of the fifty states and territories to discuss safety in the Air Guard. Story by TSgt James Michaels.

Army and Air Guardsmen from Utah’s 85th Civil Support Team recently participated in Kai Malu O Hawaii (Protected Waters of Hawaii), an interagency maritime field training exercise staged in and around the Honolulu harbor, along with CSTs from six other states, the FBI and numerous other agencies. The massive 36-hour operation tests Guardsmen’s skills and resources as they respond to several simula...

Hawaii Army National Guard Safety Office held its annual safety workshop, which consisted of one and a half days of classroom discussion followed by an exercise that simulated a traffic accident in a convoy. Produced by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson.

National Guard and Reserve soldiers deployed to Kosovo as part of Kosovo Force 15 recently completed the Warrior Leader Course, becoming KFOR-15’s second class of WLC graduates. The 7th Warrior Training Brigade from Grafenwoehr, Germany sent a Mobile Training Team to teach the course. Story produced by Sgt. Nathan Rivard.

The Montana Air National Guard’s 120th Fighter Wing recently opened a STARBASE Program in Great Falls. The goal of the program is to raise the interest and improve the knowledge of at-risk youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The young students are also exposed to the technological environment and positive role models found on military bases and installations. Hosted by Tech...

Several members of the Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, helped prepare the Expeditionary Legal Complex at Camp Justice prior to the court hearings of those allegedly responsible for the terrorist attacks on 9-11. Story by Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson. Hosted by Tech Sgt. Amber Monio.

Washington Air National Guardsman, Tech. Sgt. Tavis Delaney, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller from the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, was awarded the Silver Star for actions he took during a reconnaissance mission on May 25, 2011 while deployed to Afghanistan. Hundreds of enemy fighters had completely surrounded his platoon and Delaney, who was responsible for coordinating aircraft strik...

Retired Lt. Col. John Klatt, an aerobatics pilot for the Air National Guard, recently performed at the 139th Airlift Wing’s Sound of Speed Air Show and Open House in St. Joseph, Missouri. Klatt served for more than 20 years as a pilot in the Air National Guard and now uses his unique blend of precision, power and performance while flying to entertain spectators across the nation, enticing some to...

The Maryland National Guard partnered with Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments to perform disaster response training in preparation for water rescue with a helicopter. The Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART) training is performed quarterly, and prepares responders for emergency situations such as hurricanes and floods. Story by SGT Aimee Fujikawa.

Georgia National Guardsmen deployed with Kosovo Force 15 (KFOR-15) set up a Vehicle Control Point (VCP) near the Kosovo border in order to provide a safe and secure environment before the Serbian elections. Story by Sgt. Nathan Rivard.

Several Soldiers from the Georgia National Guard who are deployed with Kosovo Force 15 are stationed at Forward Command Post (FCP) Camp Novo Selo, where they work with multinational forces to ensure freedom of movement, safety and security operations, and logistics support in north Kosovo. Story by Sgt. Nathan Rivard.

The Alaska Army National Guard is conducting training with their neighbors to the east. The 297th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade prepare for future deployments with the Canadian Armed Forces. Video by Balinda O'Neal

Pennsylvania National Guardsmen helped pay tribute to the many men and women of the United States' armed forces by celebrating Armed Forces Day 2012, an event held on the third Saturday of May each year. Story by Sgt. Thomas Bixler.

Pennsylvania National Guardsmen helped pay tribute to the many men and women of the United States' armed forces by celebrating Armed Forces Day 2012, an event held on the third Saturday of May each year. Story by Sgt. Thomas Bixler.

The Missouri National Guard was first activated to respond to a deadly tornado that ripped through the town of Joplin on May 22, 2011. One year later, the Guard remains on mission in the southwest Missouri town as rebuilding continues in the area.

Soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard's 139th Engineer Company recently trained on an improvised explosive device training lane in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan later this year. Arkansas National Guardsmen who are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan later this year trained for several scenarios they may encounter during their mission.

The Indiana National Guard celebrated all armed forces at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway one weekend prior to the Indianapolis 500. During the event, National Guard Panther Racing driver J.R. Hildebrand placed the fallen heroes decal on his number 4 car. Video by Spc. Antonio Archer.

Crew chiefs with the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing who are deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, perform crucial routine maintenance to keep F-16s in the air. Story by Airman Jimmy Moreland.

Indiana National Guardsmen offered their support to the community during the Salute Community Concert to Honor our Veterans performed by the Columbus, Indiana Philharmonic. The Soldiers brought military equipment and vehicles for use in a static display at the event. Story by Darcy Marlett. Video by Tim Sproles.

Kentucky National Guardsmen recently performed CERFP validation training at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville, Indiana. The training will go a long way in preparing the guardsmen in case of any real world mass casualty situation that may arise. Story by SSG Rebecca Wood

The 184th Intelligence Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard recently dedicated its intelligence complex to Dr. Robert Gates, former U. S. Secretary of Defense. The three building complex houses the more than 350 airmen of the wing consisting of administrative, training, briefing and operations space. Produced by Staff Sgt. Justin Jacobs.

The 184th Intelligence Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard recently dedicated its intelligence complex to Dr. Robert Gates, former U. S. Secretary of Defense. The three building complex houses the more than 350 airmen of the wing consisting of administrative, training, briefing and operations space. Produced by Staff Sgt. Justin Jacobs.

The Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team held a roll out ceremony as they became the first guard unit to receive the Army’s most advanced combat fighting vehicles. The Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks will ensure the unit will continue to provide their unique skill wherever the Army may need them. Story by Staff Sgt. Bob Barney

Many federal and local agencies are involved in relief efforts in times of disaster. National Guardsmen from Hawaii, California, Minnesota, and Nevada participated in Makani Pahili, Hawaii's hurricane preparedness Exercise. Video by SrA Orlando Corpuz.

The Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team’s 145th Brigade Support Battalion conducts nighttime weapons qualifications at the Orchard Combat Training Center. The Soldiers qualified on the MK-19 40mm grenade launcher. Story by PFC Christian Duplessie.