April 2021 Gallery
Video by Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Vega, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM)
The Ohio National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) program provides tools and resources to help prevent the occurrence of sexual assaults, while also protecting the rights and dignity of victims. This month, to highlight the work of the SAPR program, we will be featuring Airmen and Soldiers who serve as victim advocates and sexual assault response coordinators.
SIGN THE SHARP PLEDGE!
Download, sign and display this pledge to support your fellow Soldiers and Airmen because “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission”
Photo by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
‘Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission’
As part of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general, signs a pledge to confirm his “commitment to act, intervene and sustain a high level of motivation to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace, April 2, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. The Department of Defense’s ongoing theme for the annual campaign, “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission,” emphasizes the important role all Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees have in preventing sexual assault in the U.S. armed forces.
Photo by Chaplain (Capt.) Jason Nelson, 1-137th Aviation Regiment
Deployed aviation unit pledges to fight sexual assault, harassment
Lt. Col. John Whitney (center), commander of 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment, holds a signed proclamation to show support for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month as he stands with 1st Lt. Holly Wiley (left) and Capt. Johnathan Moore, battalion victim advocates, at the unit’s deployed location. The unit has been deployed for nearly a year providing aviation support and conducting partnership operations with regional countries in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.
Photo by 1st Sgt. Michael Johnson, Ohio Military Reserve
Guard leaders at Cleveland CVC sign SHARP pledge
Ohio Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Rebecca O’Connor, Ohio’s Community Vaccination Center (CVC) dual-status commander, signs the SHARP pledge April 13, 2021, along with Ohio Army National Guard Col. Ovid Villarreal (left), CVC deputy commander, and Ohio Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Barga at Cleveland State University in Cleveland. Signing the SHARP pledge confirms a service member’s “commitment to act, intervene and sustain a high level of motivation to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.”
Courtesy photo
Air Guard victim advocate strives for safe space for those who need help
Senior Master Sgt. Brianne Forrester has been involved in the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) program for the 200th RED HORSE Squadron since 2019, and is currently serving as the sexual assault response coordinator for the 179th Airlift Wing. Forrester said she became a victim advocate to make sure her fellow Airmen know what kind of behavior is acceptable and, if they ever are put in a situation, there’s someone to turn to who is trained and ready to help.
Photo by Bill Pierce, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Formerly in military police, Soldier now trains others in sexual assault awareness, prevention
Master Sgt. Aaron Foy is a victim advocate coordinator for the Ohio National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) program, based at the Joint Force Headquarters at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. He also helps educate Guard members around the state with required sexual assault awareness and prevention training.
Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Ralph Branson, 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Airman’s personal story motivates him as victim advocate
Ohio Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Jacob Bridges, of the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, is a victim advocate for the wing’s Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) program, where he helps survivors access health care, victim advocacy and legal services. Bridges was motivated to volunteer for the program after a loved one was sexually assaulted.
Photo by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Longtime victim advocate answers calling to help her fellow Soldiers
Sgt. 1st Class Kindra Elder, sexual assault response coordinator the 73rd Troop Command, stands for a photo April 15, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. The SARC serves as the single point of contact to coordinate sexual assault victim care for service members following an incident.
Photos by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Guard members sign SHARP Pledge
Guard members sign the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program Pledge April 22, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. April was Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in both the civilian and military communities, highlighted by the ongoing Department of Defense theme “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission,” which emphasizes the important role of all Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees have in preventing sexual assault. Throughout April, Guard members around the state signed the pledge, which confirms their “commitment to act, intervene and sustain a high level of motivation to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.”
Photos by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Adjutant general talks about the importance of SAPR in maintaining healthy, ready units
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Ohio adjutant general, speaks to Guard members on the importance of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program April 22, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. April was Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in both the civilian and military communities, highlighted by the ongoing Department of Defense theme “Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission,” which emphasizes the important role of all Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees have in preventing sexual assault. The Ohio National Guard SAPR program provides the tools and resources to help prevent the occurrence of sexual assaults while also protecting the rights and dignity of victims.
Photo by Ohio National Guard/U.S. Army
Cleveland CVC marks 100,000th COVID-19 vaccination since opening
Ohio National Guard members providing support to Ohio’s Community Vaccination Center at Cleveland State University hold a banner to mark the 100,000th COVID-19 vaccination administered since opening in mid-March. Community member Ruby Davis (pictured) received the milestone vaccination April 2, 2021, at the Wolstein Center on the CSU campus in Cleveland. The CVC is manned by a team of about 540 Ohio National Guard and active-duty service members, as well as personnel from local, state and federal agencies, and is capable of vaccinating more than 6,000 people per day.
Photo by Sgt. Tackora Hand, 38th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs
Buckeye pins on stars while serving in senior 38th ID leadership role
Brig. Gen. Corwin “Cory” J. Lusk, 38th Infantry Division deputy commanding general for operations, pinned on his one-star rank during a promotion ceremony April 11, 2021, in Indianapolis. In his current role, Lusk, a veteran of four overseas deployments who previously commanded the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, helps facilitate effective training for all of the subordinate units from multiple states that are aligned under the 38th Infantry Division.
Photo by Todd Cramer, Ohio National Guard
Retired Maj. Gen. Ellis receives Distinguished Service Medal for nearly 40-year Army career
For nearly 40 years of military service, recently retired Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis was presented with the Army Distinguished Service Medal during a ceremony April 16, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory. The event at the Ohio National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) was hosted by Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio adjutant general. Ellis’ career culminated in the position of commanding general of the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division and he previously had served as deputy commander of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Courtesy photos
Honoring Ohio Army National Guard Soldier, NCO of Year
Staff Sgt. Joshua L. Pittman, of Company B, 5th Battalion, 54th Security Force Assistance Regiment in Columbus, Ohio, is the 2021 Ohio Army National Guard Soldier of the Year and Cpl. Colin D. Hornish, of the 838th Military Police Company in Youngstown, Ohio, is the 2021 OHARNG Soldier of the Year. The OHARNG Best Warrior Competition was held April 16-18, 2021, at Camp James A. Garfield, near Newton Falls, Ohio.
Photo by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Betts receives Legion of Merit
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (left), Ohio adjutant general, presents the Legion of Merit to retired Col. Gregory J. Betts April 20, 2021, at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. The award is presented to service members that display exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. Prior to his retirement from the military, Betts’ most recent positions were as director of human resources for the Ohio National Guard and commander of the 371st Sustainment Brigade, which he led during the unit’s last overseas deployment in 2017-18, in support of U.S. Central Command.
Photo by Spc. Jessica Silhavy, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Lighting switch at ONG facilities expected to save up to 30% in energy costs
Outdated and less efficient lighting is being replaced with more energy-efficient LED systems at Ohio National Guard facilities across the state. With state funding from the capital budget and assistance from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, lighting improvements have been made at 12 Army National Guard readiness centers in several phases that began in 2019, leading to reduced energy consumption and providing estimated cost savings up to 30% on electrical lighting expenses for the impacted facilities.
Photo courtesy of Scioto Valley Guardian
Guard leaders join governor to dedicate COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial Grove
Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. (third from left), Ohio adjutant general, is joined by other Ohio National Guard leaders to plant a tree April 30, 2021, at the Great Seal State Park in Chillicothe, Ohio during a dedication ceremony of a new tree grove to the victims, survivors and front-line responders of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Mike DeWine presided over the dedication of the COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial Grove, which includes 15 trees surrounding a paved trail.