02/26/23

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann, Ohio National Guard historian/Ohio National Guard photo illustration

A fixture in the community for nearly 150 years: St. Marys memorializes former Ohio National Guard armory, resident units

The city of St. Marys, Ohio has dedicated a memorial to honor the Ohio National Guard units and armory that have been part of the western Auglaize County community since 1877. Seen in the background, the original armory was built in 1920 and was closed in 2020, with the last Ohio Army National Guard tenant unit relocated to Lima, Ohio.

STORY

10/10/22

Photo by Rod Lamkey for AUSA

2- 107th Cavalry recognized by AUSA as best Army National Guard unit nationwide

Gen. Andrew Poppas (left), commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, presents the Walter T. Kerwin Jr. Readiness Award to the Ohio Army National Guard’s 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment Oct. 10, 2022, during the Association of the Unites States Army 2022 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding Army National Guard unit nationwide, based on criteria including achieving high standards in readiness, training and supply operations.

09/20/22

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann, Ohio National Guard historian

37th IBCT deploying in support of Operation Inherent Resolve

Maj. David H. Lam, executive officer of 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, leads Soldiers into a unit call to duty ceremony Sept. 20, 2022, at Tiffin University’s Heminger Center in Tiffin, Ohio. Elements of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted call to duty ceremonies for their units in advance of an approximately yearlong deployment in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.

PHOTOS: 1-148th  |  1-134th  |  2-107th  |  237th  |  837th-HHC1  |  837th-HHC2

08/31/22

Photo by Spc. Olivia Lauer, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Soldiers gain invaluable experience with multicomponent, multinational operations during Northern Strike 22

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment fire their M119A3 Howitzer during Northern Strike Aug. 12, 2022, at Camp Grayling, Mich. Northern Strike, the country's largest National Guard Bureau-sponsored training exercise with roughly 8,000 participants from different states and countries, provides participants with a variety of training scenarios that help develop readiness, increase unit cohesion and build relationships.

STORY

05/11/22

Photos by Staff Sgt. Sydney Mariette, Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs

Ohio’s Soldier, NCO of Year represent at Region IV Best Warrior Competition

Sgt. Christian Stafford (left), Ohio Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Spc. Brock Cerneka, OHARNG Soldier of the Year, compete in the 2022 Army National Guard Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022, at Camp Ripley, Minn. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top National Guard Soldiers and NCOs from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. The 2023 Region IV competition will be hosted by the Ohio Army National Guard.

PHOTOS

04/22/22

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Former Guard member among 2022 Ohio Military Hall of Fame inductees

Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey N. Carter is posthumously inducted to the Ohio Military Hall of Fame, with his son Joe (inset) accepting on his behalf, during a ceremony April 22, 2022, at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium in Columbus, Ohio. Carter, who died last January, earned the Silver Star in Vietnam and later served with the Ohio Army National Guard’s 107th Armored Calvary and retired as the command sergeant major of the 37th Brigade, 38th Infantry Division. The Ohio Military Hall of Fame recognizes veterans who were awarded medals for valor during their military service.

PHOTOS  |  VIDEO

04/15/22

Courtesy photo

Ohio National Guard sports wrap: ONG Biathlon Team members earn medals at 2022 CNGB Championships

Members of the Ohio National Guard Biathlon Team medaled three times in two individual races at this year’s Chief, National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships, which took place Feb. 11-17, 2022, at Camp Ripley, Minn. In this photo, Capt. Lauren Meyer (from left), coach Bill Pifer, Maj. Stephanie Duarte and Staff Sgt. Jacob Weemes gather after the team relay race Feb. 16 at the CNGB Championships.

STORY

04/01/22

Ohio National Guard sports wrap: Buckeye Guard online publication: Inside the revised Army Combat Fitness Test

This spring the Army issued a directive outlining a time-phased implementation of a revised Army Combat Fitness Test as the service branch’s general physical fitness test, including new age- and gender-performance scoring scales. Active Guard Reserve Soldiers are to begin taking the ACFT for record this October, followed by other Reserve and National Guard Soldiers in April 2023. Learn more about the ACFT from the Army’s microsite, which was featured recently in the Buckeye Guard online publication.

STORY

08/28/21

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann, Ohio National Guard historian

Ohio National Guard veterans groups resume combined reunion at Camp Perry

Retired Maj. Gen. James Williams (right) salutes as Staff Sgt. Aaron Garretson, of Company A, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, presents the folded American flag during a retreat ceremony Aug. 28, 2021, on Camp Perry Joint Training Center, near Port Clinton, Ohio. The ceremony was conducted as part of the combined reunion for the 148th Infantry and 37th Division veterans associations, which had not conducted the event since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHOTOS

08/10/21

Photo by Capt. Jayme Aksterowicz, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Living the American Dream: Military has provided family, friends, career for South Korean immigrant

Spc. John Owen, a chaplain’s assistant with the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, provides overwatch security during an exercise June 13, 2021, at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La. Owen was born in South Korea and raised in an orphanage until he was 7, when he was adopted and eventually came to America.

STORY

08/05/21

Photo by Spc. Grace Jacobs, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

37th IBCT, Hungarian Defence Forces conduct bilateral training during JRTC rotation

A 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Soldier (right) welcomes a Hungarian Defence Forces member to the Joint Readiness Training Center June 15, 2021, at Fort Polk, La. A 130-member HDF contingent joined the 37th IBCT during its monthlong training rotation at JRTC, along with units from several other National Guard states, to train on large-scale combat operations on the battlefield.

STORY

06/25/21

Photo by Capt. Jayme Aksterowicz, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

37th IBCT conducts change of command during monthlong training at JRTC

Col. Matthew Woodruff (from left), outgoing 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team commander, Brig. Gen. Thomas E. Moore II, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, and Col. Michael Flaherty, incoming 37th IBCT commander, arrive for the 37th IBCT change of command ceremony June 25, 2021, at Fort Polk, La. The ceremony was conducted near the end of a monthlong training rotation for the 37th IBCT at Fort Polk’s Joint Readiness Training Center, which trains BCTs to conduct large-scale combat operations on the battlefield.

PHOTOS

06/16/21

Photo by Spc. Grace Jacobs, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

37th IBCT conducts monthlong training rotation at JRTC

Soldiers with the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team create new cover and concealment for their M777 howitzer June 16, 2021, at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La. This monthlong rotation at JRTC trained multiple National Guard states, to include Ohio, along with a contingent from the Hungarian Defence Forces, on conducting large-scale combat operations on the battlefield.

PHOTOS

05/27/21

Photo by Spc. Grace Jacobs, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

37th IBCT preps for JRTC with Fort Knox training: ‘Buckeye’ Brigade to take part in rotation with Hungarian, Colombian forces

Soldiers assigned to Company B, 837th Engineer Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team prepare to initiate a Bangalore torpedo explosive charge against the enemy during their situational training exercise (STX) lanes training March 29, 2021, at Fort Knox, Ky. Units of the 37th IBCT spent a week at Fort Knox this spring executing a variety of readiness drills in preparation for a monthlong rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La. in June 2021.

STORY

04/16/21

Photo by Todd Cramer, Ohio National Guard

Retired Maj. Gen. Ellis receives Distinguished Service Medal for nearly 40-year Army career

For nearly 40 years of military service, recently retired Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis was presented with the Army Distinguished Service Medal during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory. The event at the Ohio National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) was hosted by Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general. Ellis’ career culminated in the position of commanding general of the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division and he previously had served as deputy commander of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

STORY

04/11/21

Photo by Sgt. Tackora Hand, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

Buckeye pins on stars while serving in senior 38th ID leadership role

Brig. Gen. Corwin “Cory” J. Lusk, 38th Infantry Division deputy commanding general for operations, pinned on his one-star rank during a promotion ceremony April 11, 2021, in Indianapolis. In his current role, Lusk, a veteran of four overseas deployments who previously commanded the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, helps facilitate effective training for all of the subordinate units from multiple states that are aligned under the 38th Infantry Division.

STORY

02/26/21

Ohio National Guard/Ohio National Guard Heritage Center photos

Second-oldest 37th Division Veterans Association member dies at 101

Edgar Moorman (left), shown cutting the cake during the 2017 Ohio National Guard birthday and 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team 100th anniversary celebrations, died Feb. 26, 2021, at the age of 101. He served in the 136th Field Artillery Battalion, 37th Infantry Division during World War II and was the second-oldest living veteran in the 37th Division Veterans Association.

VIDEO/STORY

01/09/21

Photo by Sgt. Aimee Shatto, 38th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. Ellis retires after more than 35 years of service

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (left), Ohio adjutant general, congratulates Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis, 09 commanding general, during Ellis’ retirement ceremony Jan. 9, 2021, at Camp Atterbury, near Edinburgh, Ind. As the 38th Infantry Division commanding general, Ellis led about 9,000 U.S. service members in the Middle East supporting Task Force Spartan in 2019-20. Ellis served in the Ohio Army National Guard for most of his career, which included senior leadership roles during three overseas deployments with the 37th Armor Brigade/37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

PHOTOS  |  VIDEO

10/20/20

Courtesy photo

1-145th AR forward observer earns ARCENT NCO of Year title on deployment

Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Aaron Amsden, a forward observer for the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, was crowned the winner of the U.S. Army Central Command’s Best Warrior Competition, noncommissioned officer category, and also competed in the Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) competition in 2020. The BWC recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army values, embody the warrior ethos and represent the force of the future.

STORY

09/17/20

Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Ohio’s cyber protection team hones critical skills during Cyber Shield 20

Ohio Army National Guard Spc. Daniel Ernspiker, a cyber intel analyst with Detachment 2, U.S. Army Cyber Protection Team 172, monitors information networks as he analyzes defensive measures during his unit's validation as part of Cyber Shield 20, Sept. 17, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Cyber Shield took place Sept. 12-27 on networks across the nation as over 800 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from more than 40 states signed in for the virtual training exercise, designed to sharpen their skills as network defenders.

STORY

09/25/20

Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Ohio National Guard food bank support mission extends into December

Maylee-Jo Shonk (left) runs around waving an American flag as Marissa Shonk points toward Capt. Michael Shonk, a member of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, Sept. 25, 2020, at the I-X Center in Cleveland. Soldiers of the 1-145th returned to family and friends after more than a yearlong deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Inset: A couple embraces to kiss.

PHOTOS

AUG. 20

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Theresa Austin

Saluting the Ohio Army National Guard’s Best Warriors for 2020

Sgt. Benjamin Noble, of 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment, is the Ohio Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Cpl. Dauren Mason, of the 323rd Military Police Company, is the OHARNG Soldier of the Year. In late August, both of them took part in the Army National Guard Region IV Best Warrior Competition, which comprises several Midwestern states, and represented the Buckeye State proudly. Noble (at right), finished first in the 12-mile road march event, completing it in under 2 hours, 30 minutes.

PHOTOS   

08/27/20

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Theresa Austin

Two Ohio teams compete at MAC Region Two Championships

Two Ohio Army National Guard teams recently competed in the National Guard Marksmanship Advisory Council Region Two Championships, with 1st Lt. Zachary Brewington (pictured, right) of the 838th Military Police Company earning the title of Novice Individual Overall Aggregate Champion. Participants spent four intense days in heat, rain and intense sunlight, competing in the event held Aug. 27-30, 2020, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.

PHOTOS  |  STORY

02/15-20/20

Photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 38th Infantry Division Public Affairs

1-148th Soldiers compete at National Guard sniper competitions

Sgt. Benjamin Amstutz (left) and Sgt. Joshua Sterndale, of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, work to engage targets as far as 780 meters in distance during the 49th Winston P. Wilson and 29th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Championships Feb. 15-20, 2020, at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center in Barling, Ark. Hosted annually by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, the competitions offer service members an opportunity to test sniper skills and weapon systems in a battle-focused environment.

STORY

01/17/20

Photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry, 38th Infantry Division Public Affairs

Ohio Guard member helps protect U.S. forces overseas

Ohio Army National Guard Lt. Col. Matt Crawford (right) is sworn in for his next term as a member of the Hardin County (Ohio) Veterans Service Commission by Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis, 38th Infantry Division commanding general, Jan. 17, 2020. Crawford is currently deployed as the 38th ID’s protection chief, overseeing and coordinating force protection measures to protect against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive attacks, as well as aid in engineer survivability and personnel recovery efforts for troops deployed in the U.S. Central Command region.

STORY

2017

Ohio National Guard photo

Ohio National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Buckeye) celebrates a century of service

In 2017, the 37th IBCT celebrated 100 years of service to the state and nation. Called “Buckeye” since its birth, the 37th has had elements stationed in 126 different communities across Ohio and eight of its Soldiers have earned the Medal of Honor.

STORY