Ohio National Guard graphic
Honoring our fallen Ohio National Guard Airmen
The Ohio National Guard mourns the loss of three Airmen assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing who died in a KC-135 Stratotanker crash in western Iraq, March 12, 2026. The three Airmen — Capt. Seth Koval, Capt. Curtis Angst and Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons — were among six crew members aboard a KC-135 that went down while flying a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury.
OHANG | 121ST ARW | OHNG COMMAND TEAM VIDEO MESSAGE | PRESS RELEASE | ZEUS 95 MEMORIAL PAGE
Staff Sgt. Jill Maynus / Ohio National Guard Public Affairs
Latest Buckeye Guard online publication available
The Buckeye Guard, the official online publication of the Ohio National Guard, features the latest episode and individual segments from the companion Buckeye Guard video newscast, which airs several times weekly on the Ohio Channel, a service of Ohio's public broadcasting stations. Each issue of the online publication also includes news, articles and historical content that highlight the missions, training, readiness and accomplishments of the Ohio National Guard's more than 14,000 Soldiers and Airmen.
Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith / Joint Force Headquarters-Pennsylvania Public Affairs
Ohio Soldier’s third straight Lacerda Cup title helps National Guard to historic finish
U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers claimed three championship belts and delivered their strongest performance to date at the 2026 Lacerda Cup All-Army Combatives Championships, as two full National Guard teams placed third and sixth overall out of 21 Army teams. In the cruiserweight division, Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Jeremiah Slagle secured his third consecutive Lacerda Cup title, becoming the second Soldier in the competition’s history to achieve that feat.
OHARNG | 73RD TC | MODERN ARMY COMBATIVES | PHOTOS: 1, 2, 3, 4 | STORY | VIDEO
Tech. Sgt. Kregg York / 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Airman leads team dedicated to providing balanced diet, nutrition to 180th FW
Maintaining physical fitness standards, which includes a balanced diet and proper nutrition, enhance warfighter fitness and readiness. Fed, fueled and fit to fight is the No. 1 goal for Senior Master Sgt. Ariel McVicker, services sustainment flight superintendent with the 180th Fighter Wing, who also is a certified personal trainer and registered dietitian nutritionist.
Airman 1st Class Josh Kaeser / 178th Wing Public Affairs
Wing event promotes opportunities for Airmen to explore new career fields
The 178th Wing hosted its first retraining career fair to give Airmen an opportunity to explore new career fields while helping wing leadership address retention, end strength and personnel manning challenges. The event was designed to retain experienced Airmen by offering professional growth opportunities without requiring them to leave the organization, which can help the wing fill hard-to-staff positions by leveraging existing talent, strengthening the unit’s readiness and long-term sustainability.
OHANG | 178TH WING | PHOTOS | STORY
Senior Airman Camren Ray / 180th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OC spray adds challenging dimension to practice of subduing aggressors
Airman Andrew Smigelski, a security forces specialist assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, rinses his eyes after being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum spray at the Toledo Air National Guard Base in Swanton, Ohio, March 21, 2026. The training consisted of subduing aggressors after being sprayed with OC spray, ensuring security forces Airmen are prepared for every possible scenario.