December 2019 Gallery
Photo by Linda G. Kramer, City of Berea Communications and Public Relations
Descendants of ONG Medal of Honor recipient help replace lost award
New York Air National Guard Capt. Jason Cole (left) worked with his father, Gary Cole (right), to replace the Medal of Honor that was originally issued to the family of his great uncle, Ohio National Guard 2nd Lt. Albert E. Baesel (inset), who died in World War I attempting to rescue a wounded Soldier while under fire. For years, the original medal was on display at American Legion Post 91, which is named in Baesel’s honor in his hometown of Berea, Ohio. The medal went missing in the 1980s and the Army refused to replace it until the family waged a persistent, three-year campaign to remedy the matter.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard
Ensuring health of force critical element of Soldier readiness
The Ohio Army National Guard Medical Detachment conducts annual periodic health assessments (PHAs) for all ONG Soldiers, who must maintain their medical readiness to ensure they are able to deploy for missions around the world as well as in support of domestic operations and homeland defense.
Photo by Airman 1st Class Alexis Wade, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Herc Challenge helps Mansfield Senior High along path to state championship game
Mansfield Senior High School competes for the Ohio High School Athletic Association Football Division III State Championship this Friday, Dec. 6. The path to a championship began this summer during conditioning, when the Tygers were one of the teams to take on the 179th Airlift Wing’s “Herc Challenge,” which brought in a group of Airmen to teach the student-athletes about the Air Force core values through a physically and mentally demanding workout.
Photo by Capt. Paul Stennett, 179th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Air Force recognizes two Ohio ANG wings, five GSUs for outstanding achievement
The 179th Airlift Wing conducts a five-ship formation flight using five of their eight C-130H Hercules to conduct coordinated airdrops, April 26, 2018, in Mansfield, Ohio. The 179th AW is among two Ohio Air National Guard wings and five geographically separated units have been recognized once again with Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for their significant achievements between 2016 and 2018.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
324th Military Police Company deploys in support of U.S. Southern Command
Soldiers of the 324th Military Police Company stand in formation during the unit’s call to duty ceremony Dec. 8, 2019, at Edgewood Middle School in Trenton, Ohio. The unit, based in Middletown, Ohio, is deploying for about a year in support of U.S. Southern Command operations.
Photo courtesy of University of Akron
Ohio Cyber Range site opens at University of Akron
Participating in the Dec. 9, 2019, ribbon-cutting for the R.C. Musson and Katherine M. Musson Charitable Foundation ICS Testbed and Ohio Cyber Range at the University of Akron are: Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy (from left), dean of UA’s College of Applied Science and Technology; state Rep. Tavia Galonski; Tim Timken of the Timken Foundation of Canton; UA President Gary L. Miller; Jay Musson of the R.C. Musson and Katherine M. Musson Charitable Foundation; Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose; Col. Daniel J. Shank, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army; and Jackie Horton of the UA Women’s Committee.
Courtesy photo
Giving Back: Guard member volunteers at wildlife center
Maj. Gwendolyn Hoogendoorn, a logistics, operations and plans officer with the Ohio National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters, has volunteered with the Ohio Wildlife Center for the past two decades, helping rehabilitate injured wild animals and getting them reintroduced back into nature. “Volunteering has taught me the true meaning of selfless service. It has taught me to genuinely care for something more than myself,” she said. “The military has instilled the value of commitment, setting standards, recognizing my limitations and continuing to seek improvement.”
Photo by Lt. Col. Cindi King, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs
Senior leaders visit Soldiers deployed overseas during holidays
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (second from left), Ohio adjutant general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Sheldon Chambliss (third from left), Ohio Army National Guard state command sergeant major, talk with Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment during an overseas holiday visit in mid-December 2019. Nearly 600 Soldiers from the battalion, headquartered in Stow, Ohio, are deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Photo by Bill Pierce, Ohio National Guard
Helping provide holiday cheer to area children
Children wait in line to play a game while others talk to the Christmas mouse during the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory Children’s Christmas Party Dec. 12, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. Nearly 100 special needs children from Central Ohio area schools attended the event, which each year is funded primarily by donations from armory employee dress-down days, a chili cook-off and other events.
Photo by Diane Farrow, OHARNG Recruiting Marketing Office
New Ohio Army National Guard Recruiting Office opens in Marietta
Flanked by Soldiers local to the Marietta area, the official party cuts the ribbon at the Ohio Army National Guard’s Marietta Recruiting Office grand opening Dec. 13, 2019, in Marietta, Ohio. Pictured are (from left): Washington County Commissioner David White; Staff Sgt. Bonnie McGrath, the recruiting and retention noncommissioned officer for Washington County; Lt. Col. Sy Gladden, OHARNG Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander; and Marietta Mayor-elect Joshua Schlicher.
Photo by Diane Farrow, OHARNG Recruiting Marketing Office
Hitting the road to thank Ohio radio stations for their support
Bill Cassler (left), news anchor at AVC Communications, interviews Col. Daniel Shank, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, on radio station WILE-AM/FM on the National Guard’s 383rd birthday, Dec. 13, 2019, in Cambridge, Ohio. In addition to participating in the interview, Shank and other OHARNG leaders visited WILE-AM/FM to thank the station for its participation in the Ohio Association of Broadcasters’ Non-Commercial Sustaining Announcement Program, which airs radio messages that educate the general public about the opportunities and benefits of membership in the National Guard.
Photo by Capt. Paul Stennett, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio National Guard unveils newest improvements at Camp James A. Garfield
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (second from right), Ohio adjutant general, and Col. Daniel Shank (left), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, host an unveiling ceremony to announce two new weapons ranges at the Ohio Army National Guard’s Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center, Dec. 18, 2019, near Newton Falls, Ohio. Announced as part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s Cabinet Day in Mahoning Valley, the federally funded projects are part of an estimated $37 million in upgrades at Camp Garfield to transform it into a world-class training facility for Department of Defense, civilian law enforcement and first responder personnel.
Photo by Senior Airman Kregg York, 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
‘Cookie Drop’ shows holiday appreciation for those who serve
Airmen assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing and students from Springfield High School (Holland, Ohio) stand for a photo next to cookies the students delivered Dec. 19, 2019, to the 180th FW in Swanton, Ohio. The students made cookies as part of their annual Students in Action “Cookie Drop,” delivering homemade cookies to firefighters, law enforcement and military service members throughout northwest Ohio. This is the seventh year Students in Action has delivered cookies to members of the 180th FW to show their appreciation.
Ohio National Guard graphic
Merry Christmas and season’s greetings from the Ohio National Guard
The Ohio National Guard wishes all our Soldiers, Airmen, civilian employees and Families a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and a Happy New Year. Click the link below to watch a special holiday message from Gov. DeWine, Maj. Gen. Harris and their spouses, as well as shout outs from other Guard members celebrating the season. Looking ahead to a great and prosperous 2020 — Always Ready, Always There!
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael L. Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
State Partnership Program continues to develop in size, complexity
In 2019, Ohio’s SPP continued to support U.S. security cooperation objectives by further developing its enduring relationships with its partners Serbia and Hungary. The ONG sent about 600 Soldiers and Airmen to Hungary and Serbia to train with its partners and conducted roughly 25 engagements with each country.
Ohio National Guard graphic
Looking back at the top news stories of 2019
The creation of a new cyber defense force and expansion of the state’s ability to develop cybersecurity talent are among the top achievements this year for the Ohio National Guard. In addition, more than 900 Ohio Air and Army National Guard members deployed across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Antarctica for overseas operations, and the U.S. capital region in support of the federal homeland defense mission. Read more about all the biggest stories of 2019, including the top five for the year.
Ohio National Guard graphic
Happy New Year!
The Ohio National Guard wishes everyone a Happy New Year filled with opportunity, prosperity and good health. Our Soldiers and Airmen are prepared to serve their communities, state and nation in 2019. Always ready, Always there!