August 2019 Gallery
Photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Wade, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Change of command at 179th Airlift Wing
Col. Todd K. Thomas (right), incoming commander of the 179th Airlift Wing, receives the ceremonial guidon from Brig. Gen. James R. Camp (left), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, during a change of command ceremony Aug. 4, 2019, at the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio. Thomas, who first served at the 179th AW in 1989 as a C-130 pilot trainee, takes over for Col. Allison Miller, who moves on to be chief of the Air Mobility Division at the 601st Air Operations Center at Tyndall Air Force Base Fla.
Photo by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Vigilant Guard 19-4 kicks off in Ohio
Vigilant Guard kicked off with a flurry of activity Aug. 5, 2019, with first responders and emergency management personnel from across Ohio working together during a variety of disaster scenarios designed to test their skills and their teamwork. Involving more than 90 local, state and federal agencies, building interagency communication and interoperability is the focus of the exercise.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Logisticians get supplies moving during Vigilant Guard 19-4
Ohio National Guard Soldiers prepare a Medium Tactical Vehicle truck to transport supplies during Vigilant Guard 19-4, Aug. 5, 2019, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. Vigilant Guard is the largest disaster response and emergency management training exercise in Ohio history, bringing together more than 3,000 military and civilian personnel from over 90 local, state and federal agencies to evaluate and develop their collective capabilities to respond to an actual man-made or natural disaster.
Photo by Senior Airman Gwendalyn Smith, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Vigilant Guard 19-4 underway at multiple locations
An Airman from the 121st Air Refueling Wing Medical Detachment 1 responds to a simulated aircraft crash as part of Vigilant Guard 19-4, Aug. 6, 2019, at the National Center for Medical Readiness Calamityville training site in Fairborn, Ohio. The four-day Vigilant Guard exercise, the largest of its kind in Ohio history with more than 3,000 civilian and military personnel from 90 local, state and federal agencies, enables participants to conduct disaster response training and evaluate their collective capabilities in a large-scale environment.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio Vigilant Guard 19-4 operations at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base
Soldiers with the Ohio National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) Task Force prepare a simulated casualty for evacuation from a contaminated site during Vigilant Guard 19-4, Aug. 7, 2019, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. The exercise tested first responders on search and rescue, casualty evacuation and decontamination skills.
Photo by Barbara Wilson, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs
Soldier earns honor graduate distinction at 88M reclassification course
Sgt. William Collins (left), of Company B, 237th Support Battalion in Youngstown, Ohio, receives a certificate from Lt. Col. Brad Leighton, commander, 1st Battalion, 129th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) during the Motor Transport Operator Reclassification Course graduation ceremony Aug. 8, 2019, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill. Collins, a resident of Cortland, Ohio, earned Honor Graduate for Phase I.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Three upgraded C-130H2 Hercules models now in operation at 179th AW
A newly upgraded C-130H2 Hercules flies in Aug. 8, 2019, to the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio. In July, the 179th AW received its first two of three C-130H2 models, which come with numerous enhancements and modifications that ensure they meet requirements for incorporating modular blade technology, a future upgrade that would give them eight-bladed propellers, providing improved thrust and takeoff while saving costs.
Photo by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
1st Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment returns home from deployment
The Ohio National Guard welcomed home about 190 Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, headquartered in Cincinnati, as they return from a nearly yearlong deployment to the National Capital Region as part of the Integrated Air Defense System mission. The unit was recognized during a ceremony Aug. 10 at the Landmark Church.
Photo by Senior Airman Gwendalyn Smith, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
GuardCare 2019 helps citizens in eastern Ohio
Airmen from the 179th Airlift Wing Medical Group give a child immunization shots as part of GuardCare Aug. 10, 2019, at the Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio. GuardCare offers the opportunity for community members to receive free basic health care and guidance on further medical treatment.
Photo by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
637th Chemical Company returns home from deployment
The Ohio National Guard welcomed home about 150 Soldiers from the 637th Chemical Company Aug. 11, 2019, at Northmont High School in Clayton, Ohio, as they returned from a nearly yearlong deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The unit was deployed to Kuwait, where its mission was to serve as the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense response force for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Vigilant Guard 19-4 comes to a close in Ohio
Vigilant Guard 19-4 — a national-level disaster response and emergency management exercise involving more than 3,000 personnel and over 90 local, state and federal agencies and co-sponsored by U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the National Guard Bureau — tested Ohio’s ability to respond to various disaster simulations, challenging those involved to their very limits. The exercise was conducted Aug. 5-8 at more than 10 locations around the state.
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Photo by Charles Rosemond, U.S. Army Training Support Activity Europe
174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade transfers authority in Germany
Lt. Col. James McCandless (right), 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade deputy commander, cases the brigade flag with Command Sgt. Maj. Dwight Chambliss during a transfer of authority ceremony Aug. 15, 2019, at Katterbach Kaserne in Ansbach, Germany. The 174th ADA, which is nearing the end of its overseas deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, transferred authority of its mission to the Florida National Guard’s 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Branson, 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Airmen take plunge during Ranger fitness test
Ohio Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Hickey (right), of the 121st Security Forces Squadron, prepares to be pushed into a swimming pool during a water survival assessment by Ohio Army National Guard Master Sgt. Brad Hallinan, a senior operations noncommissioned officer with Joint Force Headquarters, Aug. 15, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. Hickey and three other Airmen were being tested to assess if they could meet all the physical fitness requirements necessary to attend the U.S. Army Ranger School.
Photos by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
178th IAA Airmen provide key link in crisis communication during disasters
The 178th Incident Awareness and Assessment forward mobile team provides the technical skills and capabilities that can connect various local, state and federal agencies into the Domestic Operations Awareness and Assessment Response Tool (DAART), a system developed to provide both civil and military first responders the capability to process and share situational awareness information. The IAA team recently participated in Vigilant Guard 19-4, a disaster response and management exercise that brought together more than 3,000 personnel from over 90 local, state and federal agencies to train and develop disaster response capabilities in the largest exercise of its kind in Ohio history.
Photos by Senior Airman Amber Mullen, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio’s State Partners gain knowledge, best practices during disaster management exercise
Two Hungarian Defence Forces members and four members of the Serbian Ministry of Interior visited Ohio Aug. 5-8, 2019, to observe the statewide Vigilant Guard 19-4 joint disaster response and emergency preparedness training exercise. The Ohio National Guard hosted the guests as part of a scheduled engagement through the long-standing partnership with Hungary and Serbia through the State Partnership Program.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Abbey Rieves, U.S. Air Force
Civilian firefighter, paramedic joins Guard, graduates at top of DOD Fire Academy
Airman Kristina Schneider, of the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio, is congratulated during her graduation from the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy Aug. 20, 2019, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. Schneider, a 40-year-old mother of two who has been a civilian firefighter and paramedic for eight years, said she had always dreamed of serving her country as well: “I didn’t want to regret not doing something I’ve always wanted to do. I always tell my kids, ‘no matter what you want to do, you can do it if you put the work in.’ I wanted to lead by example,” she said.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Twin sisters serve together at 180th Fighter Wing
Master Sgt. Brittany Wolfrum (left) and her twin sister Master Sgt. Brooke Bostelman serve together in the 180th Fighter Wing, based in Swanton, Ohio. Both sisters enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard their senior year of high school, graduated from Basic Military Training, and attended the University of Toledo. While they are each other’s best Wingman, separations during deployments have caused them to rely on their “brothers and sisters” in uniform for support as well.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
A Kiwi in the Ohio infantry: New Zealand immigrant serves his adopted nation
Spc. Craig Wolland, an infantry Soldier with Company C, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, takes a short rest in between missions during his unit’s two-week annual training July 23, 2019, at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Center in Edinburgh, Ind. Wolland was born in New Zealand, but is now a member of the Ohio Army National Guard and a U.S. citizen.
Ohio National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Mann
37th DVA, 148th Infantry veterans hold annual reunion
Retired Lt. Col. William Stratton, president of 148th Infantry Regiment Veterans Association, salutes as Staff Sgt. Steven Barber, Company D, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, presents the folded American flag during a retreat ceremony Aug. 24, 2019, at Camp Perry Joint Training Center, near Port Clinton, Ohio. The retreat ceremony was held during the joint annual reunion of the 148th Infantry Regiment Veterans Association and 37th Division Veterans Association.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
1-145th Armored Regiment Soldiers deploying overseas
Staff Sgt. Logan Casale, an M1 Abrams tank crewman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, stands for a photo with his family prior to his call to duty ceremony Aug. 25, 2019, at the Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio. About 580 Soldiers of the 1-145th are deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Photo by Sgt. Christine Lorenz, 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Celebrating Women’s Equality Day Aug. 26
Female Army Guard member excels in traditionally male-dominated fields in both military, civilian careers
Pvt. Ashley Schwamberger is a combat engineer with the Ohio Army National Guard’s 811th Engineer Company and a firefighter with the Portsmouth Fire Department on the southern Ohio border. She said it is not a big deal to serve in both civilian and military career fields traditionally dominated by men as long as everyone is professional and performs their job as it is supposed to be done.
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Photo by Senior Airman Amber Mullen, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio National Guard Airmen train Hungarian partners on airfield management
Eight Airmen assigned to an Ohio National Guard mobile training team conducted an intermediate airfield management course for members of the Hungarian Defence Forces here, July 29-Aug. 2, 2019, at Pápa Air Base, Hungary. The Ohio National Guard conducts regular engagements focused on sharing best practices and learning from Hungary, its state partner for the last 26 years as part of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.
2 Ohio National Guard members, 1 unit receive top NGAUS honors
The National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) has selected Ohio Army National Guard Capt. Bryan Andrews and Ohio Air National Guard Capt. Ashley Klase as two of this year’s recipients of its Theodore Roosevelt Leadership Award for Company Grade Officers. The 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group, located in Springfield, Ohio was selected to receive the NGAUS Distinguished Mission Support Plaque, which is awarded annually to the top mission support unit in the Air National Guard. The awards were presented at the 141st annual NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition Aug. 30-Sept. 2, 2019, in Denver.