September 2020 Gallery
Behavioral Health Team creates robust suicide prevention training program
The Ohio Army National Guard Behavioral Health Team has initiated a suicide prevention training program based in part on findings from an ongoing, 12-year longitudinal study of the organization’s members that assesses military and civilian factors related to mental health risk and resilience. The program is called First Line Leader Training, and its focus is on teaching key leaders how to better connect with their people.
Photo by Staff Sgt. George B. Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio Army National Guard Behavioral Health Team takes decentralized approach to suicide prevention services
The Ohio Army National Guard Behavioral Health Team has expanded its suicide prevention efforts through research and partnerships with a great number of institutions and organizations. There are many avenues by which Soldiers can seek help and many resources the BHT can point to according to individual need.
Celebrating Labor Day in an unprecedented, extraordinary year
The Ohio National Guard recognizes all the Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees who work to ensure the organization is “Always Ready, Always There” for our communities, state and nation. Today, Guard members are deployed in support of overseas contingency operations throughout the world, but the COVID-19 pandemic has called for a focus on providing critical support to our citizens at home as well this year. Since March, Ohio Guard members have contributed to support humanitarian efforts by regional and local food banks to ensure Ohioans in need continue to receive food and other critical items, working close to 300,000 hours, helping with nearly 600,000 food distributions totaling more than 39 million pounds to Ohio families, and driving over 185,000 miles throughout the state to transport these items. They are Ohioans serving Ohioans!
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. ~
NATIONAL GUARD MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING CENTER | PHOTO GALLERY | READ STORY
3rd OHARNG state Command Sgt. Maj. Wehling dies
It is with deep regret and sorrow that the Ohio National Guard announces the Sept. 9, 2020, death of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard L. Wehling, 77, the third Ohio Army National Guard state command sergeant major (1986-1996). Wehling served in the Regular Army from 1960 to 1970 as a military policeman and U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) special agent. He separated as a chief warrant officer 2 and then joined the ONG, where he was an investigator in the 437th Military Police Battalion until a reorganization reverted him to the enlisted ranks in 1981. In 1983, he was selected as the Noncommissioned Officer Commandant of the Ohio Military Academy and was selected as the state CSM in 1986, and served until his retirement in February 1996.
Honoring America on Patriot Day, Sept. 11
The Ohio National Guard honors Patriot Day and the memory of all those who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since 9/11, more than 25,000 Ohio National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have deployed, many of them multiple times, around the world in support of the War on Terrorism.
Photo by Senior Airman Kregg York, 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
180th FW inspector general team earns prestigious USAF, ANG awards
Brig. Gen. James Camp (left), Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, presents the U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John P. Flynn Inspector General Award to Lt. Col. Jennifer Beale, director of the 180th Fighter Wing complaints and resolution program, Sept. 14, 2020 in Swanton, Ohio. The award is presented to an IG team whose wing-level complaints and resolutions program most demonstrates six fundamental leadership characteristics of integrity, justice, compassion, loyalty, courage and spirit. In addition, the 180th FW has recently earned the Air National Guard’s Maj. Gen. Junius W. Jones Inspector General Award as the ANG’s best wing-level command inspection program, highlighting performance and program execution, above and beyond day-to-day mission requirements.
OHANG | 180TH FW | READ STORY
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.
OHARNG | 37TH IBCT | 73RD TC | PHOTO GALLERY
Photo by 1st Lt. Kevin Livingston, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Army Family Strong: Father and son reunite while both deployed overseas
Spc. Michael Lane (left) and his father 1st Sgt. Richard Lane, of Antrim, Ohio, catch up after spending a year apart while Spc. Lane has been deployed overseas. Spc. Lane will be returning home after a successful mission with 1st Battalion, 145th Armor Regiment, while 1st Sgt. Lane begins his fifth and final overseas tour with 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment. .
OHARNG | 37TH IBCT | 73RD TC | READ STORY
Happy 73rd birthday, U.S. Air Force!
On Sept. 18, 1947, the U.S. Air Force officially became a separate, independent branch of service. For 73 years, the Air Force has been an integral part of this nation’s military force and the more than 5,000 members of the Ohio Air National Guard are a proud part of that rich history. Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Ohio adjutant general, presents his 2020 Air Force birthday message.
OHANG | READ ADJUTANT GENERAL MESSAGE
Photo by Airman 1st Class Mikayla Gibbs, 121st Air Refueling Wing
KC-135 sits on flight line at sunrise
A KC-135 Stratotanker operated by the 121st Air Refueling Wing sits on the flight line during sunrise Sep. 21, 2020, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. Located within one hour’s flying time of 60% of the U.S. population, the 121st ARW is ideally positioned to support numerous refueling missions, domestically as well as around the word.
OHANG | 121st ARW | PHOTO GALLERY
Video by Staff Sgt. George Davis, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Cyber Shield 2020 features fully virtual training exercise during COVID-19 pandemic
Ohio Army National Guard personnel with Detachment 2, U.S. Army Cyber Protection Team 172 work during the unit’s validation as part of Cyber Shield 20, Sept. 17, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. The annual Cyber Shield is underway 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, which runs Sept. 12-27, designed to sharpen their skills as network defenders.
Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment return home
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.
OHARNG | 37TH IBCT | PHOTO GALLERY
Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Chad Menegay, Ohio National Guard Public AffairsStaff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Ohio National Guard augments security for Cleveland presidential debate
Ohio National Guard military police Soldiers move their Humvee Sept. 29, 2020, in Cleveland to assist civil authorities and law enforcement from local, state and federal agencies in ensuring a safe and secure environment outside the first 2020 U.S. presidential debate. Guard members supported this effort by establishing roadblocks, staging quick reaction force teams prepared to respond if needed and patrolling with local Cleveland Police.
OHARNG | 73RD TC | PHOTO GALLERY
Photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Carden, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
52nd Civil Support Team must always be ready for real-world missions aiding civil authorities
Members of the 52nd Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction) decontaminate a simulated casualty after exposure to an unknown agent during an exercise Sept. 28, 2020, at the Fairfield County Airport in Carroll, Ohio. Each of the nearly 60 congressionally mandated civil support teams across the country is evaluated and validated every 18 months to ensure the team’s skills are up to the task of helping keep communities safe and protecting the homeland.
OHARNG | 73RD TC | 52ND CST | READ STORY
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.
CYBERSECURITY | 37TH IBCT | READ STORY