by Master Sgt. Chris Schepers MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – The Maryland Air National Guard conducted a sweeping operational readiness exercise involving the full spectrum of missions and personnel across Martin State Air National Guard Base Nov. 30 through Dec. 3. The Air Combat Command directed exercise, designated Operation Frosty Strike 2023, was designed to demonstrate the 175th Wing’s ability to survive ...

By Maj Ben Hughes ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Gov. Wes Moore hosted a reception to celebrate 50 combined years of security cooperation of the Maryland National Guard with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Estonia through the State Partnership Program at his residence November 16, 2023. Estonia and Maryland celebrated the 30th anniversary of their mutually beneficial partnership, which began in 1993, while ...

By 1st Lt Paul Jeong REISTERSTOWN, Md. – A Maryland Army National Guard Soldier was recognized with the Combat Medical Badge (CMB) for his actions under enemy fire while deployed in 2019 during an award ceremony held at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation’s 29th Division Hall, November 14, 2023. Staff Sgt. Jackson A. Vassighi, a medic with the 244th Engineer Company, was ...

By Maj. (MD) Stephen Rice, Maryland Defense Force A combat veteran from Vietnam continues to give back to his state and nation as a volunteer for the Maryland Defense Force. To this day, Staff Sgt. (MD) Thomas E. Hendricks, Sr. remains dedicated to serving his country. “I joined the U.S. Army at 17 years old to get away from my foster family ...

By Master Sgt. Chris Schepers MARTIN STATE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Md. — In keeping with years of mission success, Airmen from the Maryland Air National Guard assigned to the 175th Maintenance Group and 104th Fighter Squadrons were recognized as the most mission capable A-10 fleet within the entire Air National Guard throughout fiscal year 2023. The Airmen, which maintain and ...

By 1st Lt. Jasmine Matthews MIDDLE RIVER, Md. — Members of the Maryland National Guard hosted the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Bosslift event at Martin State Air National Guard Base and Blum Military Reservation on November 3, 2023, giving employers the opportunity to better understand what their employees do during military service. Employers took part in orientation ...

Maj. (MD) Stephen Rice, Maryland Defense Force Capt. (MD) Evelyn Kloos is a dedicated community and public servant who has served western Maryland for 37 years as a Certified Registered Nurse. For 35 of those years, she has worked at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. She holds a National Certification Corporation (NCC) Inpatient Obstetrics certification and an Electronic Fetal ...

Story by Maj. Brendan Cassidy LAUREL, Md. – “She said she knew from the start.” confided Spc. Jean-Paul Konkon. Remembering the moment that he told his mother he wanted to join the National Guard, she unlocked memories he’d forgotten of him as a toddler telling her “I want to be a soldier!” Spc. Konkon is originally from Yaoundé, the national capital of ...

By 1st Lt. Paul Jeong ANNAPOLIS, Md. – In a gathering of faith and community, the Maryland Army National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters Chaplain’s Office hosted a “Partners In Care” program appreciation luncheon at the Annapolis Hilton DoubleTree, November 1, 2023.  The “Partners In Care” event brought together Guard Soldiers and their families with church leaders to highlight the significance of fostering ...

By Master Sgt. Christopher Schepers NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A team predominately comprising members of the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Cyberspace Operations Group captured first place during a recent skills validation exercise hosted by the Tennessee Air National Guard. The team, which also included members of the Texas Air National Guard, outscored other teams during the competition, which was hosted by Tennessee’s ...