Cultural performance highlights African-American/Black History Month celebration
Balla Sy (left), one of the founding members of GOREE (Giving Others Resources, Education and Empowerment) Drum and Dance troupe, and Shamba Muhammad play djembes during a West African cultural performance Feb. 24, 2020, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. GOREE’s performance highlighted the Ohio National Guard’s 2020 African-American/Black History Month program, which highlighted the roots of modern American dance in West African tradition featuring the country of Senegal. ~ Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
200th RED HORSE supporting Puerto Rico earthquake recovery
Airmen of the Ohio Air National Guard’s 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer) Squadron supported disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico following a series of earthquakes in late 2019/early 2020. Nearly 30 REDHORSE Airmen were sent to Puerto Rico to set up and maintain two Disaster Relief Bed-down Systems (DRBS), which are deployable kits capable of providing basic housing and life support facilities, such as tents, showers and latrines, for up to 300 military personnel responding to the disaster.
OHANG | 200TH RED HORSE ~ STORY 1 | STORY 2
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. ~ Photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Countryman, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
180 FW member excels in, loves challenges of avionics field
Staff Sgt. Mario Bynum is an integrated avionics technician with the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton, Ohio, ensuring that the unit’s F-16 pilots are able to receive necessary information through high-tech communication systems and flight controls. Avionics technicians maintain more than 10 integrated systems including attack control radar, infrared and laser instruments and displays, flight controls, navigation, radio and satellite communications, as well as defensive and offensive identification and electronic warfare systems. ~ Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker, 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A Lifesaver: Airman earns Ohio Cross for heroic rescue
Master Sgt. Ryan K. Tucker of the 178th Wing was presented with the Ohio Cross during the Ohio National Guard Joint Senior Leaders Conference Feb. 14, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Tucker received the state’s highest military award for lifesaving actions he took to help rescue a woman at a gas station after she had been critically wounded. ~ Photo by Tech. Sgt. Shane Hughes, 178th Wing Public Affairs
From immigrant to Citizen-Soldier:
A commander’s uncommon journey
Capt. Sulaiman Bah is awarded an Army Commendation Medal to recognize his time as commander of the 945th Engineer Company during a ceremony Jan. 11, 2020, in Norwalk, Ohio. An immigrant from Sierra Leone in western Africa, Bah commanded the unit for the past 2½ years and in the civilian world works as a facilities engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation.
OHARNG | 16TH EB ~ READ STORY
From immigrant to Citizen-Soldier:
A commander’s uncommon journey
A native of Sierra Leone in western Africa, Capt. Sulaiman Bah originally came to the U.S. in August 2002 on a scholarship to finish his master’s degree. With a favorable impression of the United States and U.S. military from witnessing humanitarian missions in his native country, Bah pursued becoming a U.S. citizen and joined the Ohio Army National Guard in 2010.
A Lifesaver: Airman earns Ohio Cross for heroic rescue
Master Sgt. Ryan K. Tucker of the 178th Wing was presented with the Ohio Cross during the Ohio National Guard Joint Senior Leaders Conference Feb. 14, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. Tucker received the state’s highest military award for lifesaving actions he took to help rescue a woman at a gas station after she had been critically wounded.
New benefits for Guard members in federal funding plan
The 2020 version of NDAA approved by Congress and signed by the president includes several provisions affecting National Guard members and their Families. For nearly 60 years, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has charted a course for U.S. defense policy and provides funding to raise and support the U.S. military forces.
Ohio Air National Guard honors outstanding Airmen of Year
Airmen from all over the state gathered this January in Columbus, Ohio for the Ohio Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year awards ceremony. With six categories, the Outstanding Airman of the Year awards are used to recognize members who go above and beyond demonstrating leadership, strong work ethic and commitment to giving back to their communities.
#knowyourmil
Master Sgt. Ryan K. Tucker
A Lifesaver: Right Place, Right Time
2nd Lt. Devin King
Excelling on the gridiron
Maj. Gwendolyn Hoogendorn
Giving Back: Wildlife Warrior
Spc. Matt Logsdon
A case study in motivation
Staff Sgt. Michael Ginikos
ANG Firefighter of the Year
Staff Sgt. Ken Keller
Celebrating Adoption
Capt. Chris Brandt
Cherokee heritage sets life’s foundation
Col. Kimberly A. Fitzgerald
Leading the way at 178th Wing
Tech. Sgt. Chelsea Lovelace
Finding purpose through tragedy
1st Lt. Valerie Stearns
Challenging herself in order to grow
ONG HISTORY | ON THIS DAY
THIS WEEK: Feb. 23-29
In Through the Lens, Soldiers of Company F, 145th Infantry prepare to assault the walled city of Intramuros, a Spanish fort within the city of Manila, during World War II; in the Week in Review, the 220th Engineering Installation Squadron is organized in 1948 in Zanesville; and In Their Own Words, the letters in a Soldier’s last name make him the winner of a dubious lottery.
THIS WEEK: Feb. 16-22
In Through the Lens, a photo depicts the raw impact of the U.S.-Japanese conflict during the Battle of Manila; and In Connecting to the Collections, an aerial photo of Manila shows the main areas of enemy resistance encountered by the 37th Infantry Division during the battle in February-March 1945.
THIS WEEK: Feb. 9-15
In Through the Lens, Soldiers of the 37th Infantry Division advance through the Paco District of Manila during World War II; in the Week in Review, Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler, World War II commander of the 37th, dies at the age of 85 in 1978; and In Connecting to the Collections, a Sgt. Jess Cauthorn sketch depicts the actions that earned Pfcs. Cleto Rodriguez and John Reese Jr. the Medal of Honor.
ON THIS DAY: Feb. 9, 1945
During the drive through the Paco District of Manila, Philippines, Pfcs. Joseph J. Cicchetti, Cleto Rodriguez and John Reese Jr. of the 148th Infantry earned the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions. (Graphic from Ohio Army National Guard Historical Collections)
ON THIS DAY: Feb. 5, 1945
2nd Lt. Robert M. Viale, of Company K, 148th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division, is killed during the Battle of Manila. His actions will lead to him being awarded the Medal of Honor. In video interviews as part of the “In Their Own Words” series, Charles Henne and Harold Vogel, both World War II veterans of the 148th Infantry Regiment, describe the events that day. Vogel was a member of Company K and was in the room with Viale when he died. (Graphic from Ohio Army National Guard Historical Collections)
THIS WEEK: Feb. 2-8
In Through the Lens, Soldiers of the 148th Infantry lead the amphibious assault across Manila’s Pasig River during World War II; in the Week in Review, Gen. William Henry Harrison establishes Fort Meigs on the Maumee River in 1813; and Medal of Honor recipient 2nd Lt. Robert M. Viale’s heroic actions to save his Soldiers are recounted.
THIS WEEK: Jan. 26 - Feb. 1
In Through the Lens, Soldiers of the 416th Engineer Group provide support during their deployment to Afghanistan; in the Week in Review, the 166th Tactical Fighter Squadron is ordered into federal service in response to the seizure of the USS Pueblo; and in Connecting to the Collections, Soldiers of the 148th Infantry enjoy the spoils of a brewery they encounter during their drive to Manila during World War II.
THIS WEEK: Jan. 19-25
In Through the Lens, the 122nd Army Band's rock ensemble "Flashbang"performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; in the Week in Review, the Dick Act of 1903 brings sweeping changes to the National Guard; and in Connectingto the Collections, a historical sketch by Sgt. Jess Cauthorn depicts the 148th Infantry's celebrated arrival in San Carlos, Philippines during World War II.
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