November 2019 Gallery
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
174th ADA Brigade headquarters task force deploys to protect nation’s capital
Staff Sgt. Anthony Mickey, an air defense battle management system noncommissioned officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, located in Columbus, Ohio holds his daughter, Annie, while his girlfriend and Annie’s mother, Liz Haddox, displays her love at the 174th’s call to duty ceremony Nov. 1, 2019, at the Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Structured as a task force headquarters for the deployment, the 174th element of about 30 Soldiers will provide command and supervisory oversight support to the homeland defense mission in the National Capital Region.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Simones, 178th Wing Public Affairs
Fitzgerald set to become first female commander of 178th Wing
I Col. Kimberly Fitzgerald is the incoming commander of the 178th Wing in Springfield, Ohio. Currently serving as the wing vice commander, Fitzgerald will become the first female commander of the 178th during a Nov. 3, 2019, change of command ceremony, taking over for Hesterman, who will move on to serve as the director of staff for the Ohio National Guard.
Courtesy photo
Warrior-Athlete: Airman competes in national bodybuilding championships
Senior Airman Amanda Wilson, a religious affairs assistant with the 178th Wing in Springfield, Ohio, is also an amateur bodybuilder. After 17 weeks of preparation that included intensive cardio and weight training, Wilson finished first in the Figure D Class at the National Physique Committee Ohio State Championships in September and placed in the top 10 in her class at the 2019 NPC National Bodybuilding Championships, Nov. 22-23, 2019, in Miami.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Amber Mullen, 178th Wing Public Affairs
First female commander takes charge of 178th Wing
Col. Kimberly A. Fitzgerald, the incoming 178th Wing commander, salutes the wing during a change of command ceremony Nov. 3, 2019, at the 178th Wing in Springfield, Ohio. Fitzgerald assumed command and became the first female commander in the wing's history.
Photo by Spc. Laura Michael, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio’s Williams to take command of 91st Cyber Brigade
Col. Teri D. Williams, who works full time as the chief information officer (G6/J6) for the Ohio National Guard, has been selected to become the next commander of the Virginia National Guard’s 91st Cyber Brigade, which provides training and readiness oversight for cyber units across 31 states. Williams has been the officer in charge of the annual Cyber Shield exercise for the past three years, briefs participants during the 2019 iteration at Camp Atterbury, Ind.
~ READ STORY "
Photo courtesy of Cleveland Cavaliers
Ohio National Guard helps support Cleveland Cavaliers’ ‘Salute to Service’
Brig. Gen. James R. Camp (right), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, helped support the Cleveland Cavaliers’ annual “Salute to Service” game honoring the military and veterans Nov. 5, 2019, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. During halftime of the Cavs’ game with the Boston Celtics, U.S. Marine Corps Afghanistan veteran Micah Herndon (third from right) was honored by the Cavaliers and was also surprised with a visit by the family members (also pictured) of his best friend and fallen Marine comrade, Lance Cpl. Matthew Ballard.
~ PHOTO GALLERY | WATCH VIDEO "
Courtesy photo
Honoring Veterans Day
Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades, commander of the Ohio Army National Guard Special Troops Command (Provisional) recently spoke to a group of East Elementary students in the Mount Vernon City Schools District about the meaning of Veterans Day. In 2019, the Ohio National Guard is supporting more than 50 community events related to Veterans Day, including guest speakers, parades, color guards, patriotic ceremonies and military equipment static displays, in front of a collective audience of nearly 200,000 people.
Photo by Senior Airman Christi A. Richter, 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
121st ARW Airman named Ohio Rookie Recruiter of the Year
Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades, commander of the OhiTech. Sgt. Jonathan Walker, a production recruiter at the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, was recently named the Ohio Rookie Recruiter of the Year for 2019, an award that goes to individuals in their first two years of recruiting who have gone above and beyond in the performance of their job. Walker says the prospect of helping people has been his driving force as a recruiter and that’s the advice he gives to other new recruiters. “Be yourself,” he says. “And be honest. Not everybody is joining for the reasons you would think. It’s about the applicant. It’s about that person who’s sitting across from you.”
Photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Three former Ohio National Guard members in 2019 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame class
The 2019 class of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was inducted during a Nov. 7, 2019, ceremony in Dublin, Ohio. Three former Ohio National Guard members were among this year’s honorees
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Video by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Honoring Veterans Day during annual parade in Ohio’s capital
An Ohio Air National Guard Honor Guard marches as part of the MILVETS Columbus Veterans Day Parade to honor the service of veterans and to salute those currently serving in the military, Nov. 8, 2019, in downtown Columbus, Ohio. This year, MILVETS celebrated the “greatest generation” with the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019 and the 75th anniversary of the ending of WWII in 2020.
Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker, 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MAPS Museum dedicates F-16 display to fallen 180th FW pilot
Lorin Sonnenberg-Shaw shares memories of her husband, Lt. Col. Kevin “Sonny” Sonnenberg, during a Veterans Day ceremony at the MAPS Museum, Nov. 9, 2019, in Canton, Ohio. The ceremony honored Sonnenberg, an F-16 fighter pilot assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing who was killed in action in Iraq during June 15, 2007, combat mission, and included the dedication of an F-16 fighter jet (in background) in his name, which will remain on display at the museum.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio National Guard aviation detachment deploying to Afghanistan
Soldiers of Detachment 2, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 641st Aviation Regiment listen to speakers during their call to duty ceremony Nov. 13, 2019, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. The unit, which is deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, operates the C-26 fixed-wing, twin engine turboprop aircraft, primarily used for personnel and cargo transport.
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Bidding farewell after a career of service
Col. John Dernberger (center), celebrates his retirement with family and Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (left), Ohio adjutant general, Nov. 15, 2019, during an event at the J. Liu Restaurant & Bar in Worthington, Ohio. Dernberger’s final assignment was as the U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for Ohio, a position he held for six years during which he was responsible for all federal funds and property in the possession of the Ohio National Guard, more than $650 million annually.
Video by Senior Airman Kregg York, 180th Fighter Wing Ohio National Guard
Didio takes charge at 180th Fighter Wing
Colonel Michael DiDio assumed command of the 180th Fighter Wing during a ceremony 16 Nov., 2019. Brigadier General James Camp presided over the ceremony, officially relinquishing command from former commander Colonel Kevin Doyle.
Photo by Abigail Dean, Ohio Athletics
Warrior-Athlete: Guard member experiences college gridiron success at Ohio University
Ohio Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Devin King is the long snapper on the Ohio University football team, making the team in 2018 as a walk-on and earning the starting position this season. King graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health service administration last December, and he’s currently on target to earn his masters in coaching education at the end of this year.
Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Beth Holliker, 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Video by Senior Airman Kregg York, 180th Fighter Wing Ohio National Guard
‘Never stop talking’: Airman reflects on struggle with depression, attempted suicide
Master Sgt. Crystal Carper, a first sergeant assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, shares her story of battling depression and attempted suicide. Depression is a disease that can cause one to feel isolated, hopeless and helpless and alone. But, Carper is not alone. “I just wanted to convey my story so that people know, that if they are in a place like that, you are not alone,” she said. “Talk to people. Talk to anyone. Never stop talking.”
Ohio National Guard graphic
Saluting Command Sgt. Maj. Jones for a career of soldiering, leadership
As he prepares to retire Nov. 30, Command Sgt. Maj. Rodger Jones, the eighth Ohio Army National Guard state command sergeant major, reflects on his nearly 40 years with the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. Read his farewell message, and see photos from throughout his career and more, in the most recent Buckeye Guard online publication.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Wendy Kuhn, 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
121st ARW maintenance, air crew personnel support NATO refueling
Airmen with the 121st Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Group repair the nozzle on the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker Nov. 19, 2019, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. About 40 Airmen from the 121st were in Germany for two weeks to support refueling NATO AWACS aircraft.
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Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
A Beloved Man: Guard member with Cherokee heritage leads with character, values, beliefs
Ohio Army National Capt. Chris Brandt, who is of Cherokee heritage, is a devoted family man and dedicated Soldier and leader. Brandt cites his character, values and beliefs as heavily impacted by his Cherokee culture. “My version of a worldview, if you will, is influenced by what’s important in the Cherokee culture,” Chris said. “Take care of the earth. Act honorably. Be honest. Try to have fun. There are a lot of misunderstandings about what it is to be Indian, you know, Cherokees aren’t a stoic people. A sense of humor is highly valued.”
~ 16TH EB | READ STORY
Photo by Bill Pierce, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
Brig. Gen. James R. Camp (right), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, and Maj. Jenniffer Green (left), state equal employment manager for the Ohio National Guard, present a plaque of appreciation to Bill Pickard, curator of archaeology for the Ohio History Connection, for his support as the featured speaker during a Native American Heritage Month presentation Nov. 26, 2019, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Pickard spoke about Native American symbolism, and written and spoken languages, as well as about the different artifacts recovered throughout Ohio and how they shared meaning within each individual group of Native Americans who once inhabited the state.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Harwood, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
179th Airlift Wing supports NASA Super Guppy, Orion spacecraft
The NASA Super Guppy Turbine arrived Nov. 24, 2019, at the Mansfield-Lahm Airport in Mansfield, Ohio. The Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Airlift Wing supported the arrival of the Super Guppy, which was transporting components of the Orion space capsule, to include offloading the Orion so it could be transported by semi-truck for extensive testing at NASA’s Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio.
~ 179TH AW | READ STORY
Photo from National Archives
NOVEMBER 28, 2019
The Ohio National Guard wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
In this Nov. 25, 1943, photo, men of Headquarters Company, 145th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division go through the mess line and receive their Thanksgiving Day turkey dinner on Bougainville Island in the Philippines during World War II. In his Thanksgiving message, Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Ohio adjutant general, says Ohio National Guard members’ “readiness to serve your state and nation is why we have the world’s strongest military…take time this Thanksgiving to give thanks for the blessings you’ve experienced this past year. Enjoy the time with family and friends.”
Courtesy photo
NOVEMBER 29, 2019
Love still stands: Ohio couple adopts six foster care children
Ohio Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Ken Keller, an Avenger Air Defense System crewmember and squad leader with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Chelsea Keller, a social worker for The Bair Foundation Child & Family Ministries, have adopted all six of their children from foster care, enduring the challenges associated with raising such a family, including Ken being deployed twice in the last 10 years.