Staff Sgt. Alyssa Reik / 179th Cyberspace Wing Public Affairs
179th fire protection Airmen build readiness on the job
Fire protection Airmen with the 179th Civil Engineer Squadron practice rescue procedures during training at the Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base in Mansfield, Ohio. Fire protection specialists conduct readiness training to maintain their ability to respond to fires, calls for emergency first aid and hazardous material incidents.
Airman 1st Class Josh Kaeser / 178th Wing Public Affairs
178th Security Forces Airmen strengthen physical readiness during tactical training
Members assigned to the 178th Security Forces Squadron move a simulated casualty to a safe location during a tactical training event in Springfield, Ohio. Practicing these rigorous extraction techniques is vital for boosting readiness, ensuring the unit can effectively protect and evacuate personnel from hostile environments.
OHANG | 178TH WING | PHOTOS
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.
Courtesy photos
Service that starts at home
In the Sommer family, service was the tradition. Ryan Sommer’s father, grandfather, uncles and almost every man in his family tree have worn the uniform at one point in their lives. Growing up surrounded by these examples shaped how he viewed service, long before he could define it.
Courtesy photo
178th Wing officer mentors future leaders through US Senate Youth Program
Lt. Col. Brittany Hensley, commander of the 126th intelligence Squadron, 178th Wing, speaks with her group of student delegates as part of the U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington D.C., March 1, 2025. Hensley served as the senior military officer for the weeklong event, a role in which she guided 16 other officers and 104 of the nation’s top high school students. Students get to visit federal government institutions including the Capitol, the White House, the Pentagon, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court and the State Department, exposing them to a vast spectrum of public service opportunities.
OHANG | 178TH WING | PHOTOS | STORY