BUCKEYE GUARD ~ Vol.43, No. 2 ~ April-June 2025

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Ohio National Guard leadership stands at attention while completing the passing of the colors.

Staff Sgt. Jill Maynus / Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Woodruff takes command as Ohio adjutant general, Harris retires after 44 years of service

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., outgoing Ohio adjutant general, transferred authority and responsibility as head of the Ohio National Guard to Brig. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, incoming Ohio adjutant general, during a change of command ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. Following the change of command, Harris officially retired after 44 years of military service, the last six as adjutant general, to begin his new state government role as director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services.

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Two Soldiers stand side by side with awards — Staff Sgt. Samantha Aguridakis / 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

2025 OHARNG Best Warrior Competition determines top Soldier, NCO

The 2025 Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition, held at Camp James A. Garfield this year, brought together the best Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from six brigade-level commands to test their resilience, fitness, tactical skills and cognitive abilities. At the conclusion of the four-day event, Spc. William Schmitt, of Troop C, 2nd Squadron,107th Cavalry Regiment, was named Soldier of Year and Sgt. Benjamin Kovacic, of the 323rd Military Police Company, was named NCO of the Year. Both Soldiers moved on to represent Ohio in the ARNG Region IV BWC at Fort McCoy, Wis.

**OHARNG** | PHOTOS: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 | WATCH THIS SEGMENT | FULL VIDEO NEWSCAST |

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MQ-9 Reaper sits on the taxiway — Shane Hughes and Senior Airman Colin Simpson (inset) / 178th Wing Public Affairs

178th Wing participates in Exercise Advanced Wrath

Airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Wing, in collaboration with units from the New York and Mississippi Air National Guard, participate in Exercise Advanced Wrath at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio, March 9-21, 2025. The exercise showcased the 178th Wing's ability to support forward combat operations through Agile Combat Employment, providing lethal capability and seamless integration with joint and interagency forces for future operations.

**OHANG** | 178TH WING | PHOTOS: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - - 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - - 14 - 15 | STORIES: 1 - 2 - 3 | WATCH THIS SEGMENT | FULL VIDEO NEWSCAST |

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Soldier runs in front of helicopter holding a weapon — Jack Gardner / 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1-148th Infantry Regiment participates in Relentless Valor 25

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment train as a quick response force during the Relentless Valor 25 joint training exercise at Springfield Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio. Relentless Valor 25 challenged Soldiers to operate with lethal precision while enhancing their ability to conduct reconnaissance alongside joint partners.

**OHARNG** | PHOTOS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | STORY | WATCH THIS SEGMENT | FULL VIDEO NEWSCAST |

Soldier holds weapon outside the side of a helicopter — Sgt. Olivia Lauer / 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

1-137th Aviation Regiment Soldiers sharpen essential skills during AT

Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment take part in annual training at Camp Grayling in Grayling, Mich., June 1-14, 2025. Annual training enhances unit readiness and capabilities by executing essential missions such as aerial door gunnery, sling load operations and other tactical exercises.

**OHARNG | 73RD TC** | PHOTOS: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 | WATCH THIS SEGMENT | FULL VIDEO NEWSCAST |

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Airmen work on tarmak working on an f-16 — Staff Sgt. Jillian Maynus / Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Ohio Air National Guard goes Live in ‘25

The Ohio Air National Guard successfully completed a first-of-its-kind ‘Live in ‘25’ deployment simulation at Wilmington Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio, May 1-5, 2025. Airmen from the 121st Air Refueling Wing, 178th Wing, 179th Cyberspace Wing and 180th Fighter Wing collaborated to experience the challenges of mobilizing to an unestablished, undeveloped deployment location, mirroring the real-world conditions they might encounter when facing a sophisticated adversary in the future.

**OHANG** | PHOTOS | WATCH THIS SEGMENT | WATCH FULL NEWSCAST |

Graphic reads Ohio National Guard History

A LOOK IN THE ATTIC

LINEAGE LINKUP featuring

the Ohio Army National Guard’s Battery B, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, organized May 8, 1875, in Gettysburg, Ohio.

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HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT

80th anniversary of the attack of Mount Pacawagan

History of the 145th Infantry, 37th Infantry Division role in the attack on Japanese forces at Mount Pacawagan in the Philippines on April 21, 1945. The ensuing 25-day battle during World War II ended the threat of the Japanese army north of Manila.

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