Utah sends two Soldiers and an Airman to the Region VII Best Warrior Competition

May 25, 2023 | By Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack

Utah National Guard Public Affairs Office

ng.ut.utarng.list.pao@army.mil

As we work together to get through a national crisis during these unprecedented times, communication is more important than ever. The Utah National Guard's Public Affairs Office is committed to ensuring timely and relevant information is made available to our service members, their families, employers and our local communities.

Our website has quickly become a one-stop online resource. During the past year, we have added a significant amount of information, videos, workouts and many other resources. We remain committed to getting you the most important and relevant information.

The Utah National Guard continues to be a premiere organization with amazing Soldiers, Airmen, and families. We are always looking to share your story. Please feel free to contact our office at any time at ng.ut.utarng.list.pao@army.mil or (801) 432-4407.

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News Stories

Utah National Guard Members Arrive in Morocco for African Lion 22
June 17, 2022 — Roughly 300 members of the Utah National Guard will participate in African Lion 2022, U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, combined annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO will train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint, all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal of strengthening interoperability among participants and setting the theater for strategic access... MORE

U.S. Army soldiers work with Moroccan Royal Armed Forces soldiers in an operations center.

Making a Move: Logistics and the Success of an Exercise
June 14, 2022 — Whether moving across the country or making a tactical river crossing, a good logistics plan is the crucial difference between success and failure. Military operations have always hinged upon the movement of troops, weapon systems, and supplies. Western Strike 22 is a modern example of a major logistical success that starts with planning and ends with the arrival and departure of Soldiers, equipment, and supplies from all over the United States... MORE

A gun crew from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 145th Field Artillery, Utah National Guard, lines up their M109 Paladin for day of live fire during Western Strike 22, June 11, 2022, at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho.

Lightning Strikes: Summoning America’s Thunder
June 14, 2022 — Units from the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah National Guard, rocked the Idaho landscape in a barrage of awe-inspiring firepower. Soldiers from California, Iowa, North Carolina, and Utah assembled near Boise, Idaho at Orchard Combat Training Center to share knowledge, experience, and build camaraderie amongst a force of approximately 2,000 Soldiers. In addition to their battalions, the 65th FAB was also accompanied by aviation Soldiers from Utah, and active-duty Soldiers from Texas and Washington. Each component was summoned by the 65th FAB for one simple reason: to train and build a force that is ready to deploy at a moment's notice. ... MORE

Gun crews from 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery Regiment, 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah Army National Guard, begin preparing their equipment for a day of fire missions as part of Western Strike 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 11, 2022.

North Carolina National Guard forward observers provide fire support to National Guard units from four different states at Western Strike 22
June 14, 2022 — Fire support teams from 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment of the North Carolina National Guard provided fire support to National Guard units from four different states during Western Strike 22 throughout the month of June 2022 at Orchard Combat Training Center near Boise, Idaho. Western Strike 22 is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah National Guard, that provides National Guard Soldiers immersed training to increase participating unit's readiness and lethality. ... MORE

Forward observers await UH-60 helicopters for transport to new observation areas for training on marking artillery targets during Western Strike 22, June 9, 2022.

Two Utah Soldiers awaken "Warrior Spirit" at Region VII Best Warrior Competition
June 4, 2022 — A Soldier’s transformation into a warrior is difficult to describe. Hand-picked by leadership, proving themselves with every drop of sweat, every sore muscle, and every labored breath; Soldiers who compete naturally don the title of Best Warrior for their unit, regardless of whether they win. It’s called the Best Warrior Competition for a reason. A fitting title, each iteration features a gathering of the best asset the Army has to offer—the warrior. Winners are awarded the honor of moving on, but being chosen to compete in the first place is, in itself, a great accomplishment that commands respect... MORE

Honoring a war hero who delivered hope
May 31, 2022 — Ret. U.S. Air Force Col. Gail Halvorsen, known as the “Candy Bomber”, was honored by top leadership from the Utah Air National Guard, Utah National Guard, and Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany with the laying of two wreaths at his gravesite on May 20, 2022. Col. Halvorsen was laid to rest on Feb. 22, 2022, at the Provo City Cemetery. He passed away at the age of 101... MORE

Brig. Gen. Frank Gräfe, the defense attaché from the Federation of Germany to the United States, (left) and Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Boyack, Commander of the Utah Air National Guard & Assistant Adjutant General-Air, (right) pose using the iconic “thumbs up” that Gail Halvorsen was known for on May 20th at the Provo City Cemetary.

Armed Forces Day Concert recognizes UTNG State of Utah Service Members of the Year
May 21, 2022 — This year’s 19th Annual Armed Forces Day Concert recognized 12 recipients of the State of Utah Service Members of the Year award, at the Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City, May 21, 2022... MORE

Camp Williams adds a Premiere Search and Extraction Training Site to Benefit the Homeland Response Force, State, Region, and Nation.
May 11, 2022 — The Utah National Guard has a new training site for the Region VIII Homeland Response Force’s search and extraction team, as well as partner civilian urban search and rescue teams. Lt. Col. Erick R. Wiedmeier, commander of the 97th Troop Command and Region VIII Homeland Response Force mission, conducted a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Collapsed Structure Venue Site on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Army Garrison Camp Williams, Utah... MORE

A line of people cut a red ribbon in a ceremony.

A Family's Faith: Chosin Soldier Comes Home
May 3, 2022 — Often referred to as “the Forgotten War,” the Korean War’s significance tends to be overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War. Even in that light, it’s nothing short of a miracle that Korean War service members are still being brought home, especially considering the 7,544 that remain unaccounted for to this day. Up until a few years ago, it appeared unlikely that service members like U.S. Army Cpl. David B. Milano, who went missing in action Dec. 2, 1950, in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, would be found. But unlike the war, Milano has never been forgotten. His family made sure of that by holding tight to faith in the face of doubt; faith that “little David,” as his mother called him, would one day be returned... MORE

Uniformed veterans and an honor guard soldier salute the American flag draped casket of a deceased soldier.

The Utah National Guard Celebrates Women’s History Month in March 2022
March 31, 2022 — During the month of March, the Utah National Guard celebrates Women’s History and honors and acknowledges the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. Women have played a vital role in our military in every war since the Revolutionary War. Today, women serve in every career field in the military and are critical members of the Utah National Guard... MORE

Press Releases

Utah National Guard hosts 34th annual Military Intelligence Language Conference
February 9, 2023 — Utah National Guard’s 300th Military Intelligence Brigade will host the 34th annual Military Intelligence Language Conference on Saturday, Feb. 11. The theme of this year’s conference is “Setting the Theater—Modernizing the 300th MIB Linguist.”... MORE

National Guard Soldier’s compete in the Polyglot Games as part of the 2018 Military Intelligence Language Conference hosted by the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade and held at the Utah National Guard Headquarters in Draper, Utah .

Utah National Guard supports Boy Scouts for the 37th annual Scouting for Food Drive
February 9, 2023 — The Boy Scouts of America Crossroads of the West Council is hosting the 37th annual Scouting for Food Drive on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, when Scouts will begin collecting food donations... MORE

Utah National Guard’s CST to support Super Bowl LVII
February 8, 2023 — Utah’s 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction–Civil Support Team is currently on scene in Phoenix, Arizona supporting Super Bowl LVII. In total there are eight CST’s supporting this event to include teams from Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Guam... MORE

Staff Sgt. Zach Martin, a member of the Utah National Guard 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction–Civil Support Team, uses a Joint Chemical Agent Detector while conducting Joint Hazard Assessment Team operations in the NFL Experience, on the days leading up to Super Bowl LVII, in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, Feb. 7, 2023.

Soldiers from the Utah National Guard’s Main Command Post Operation Detachment deploy in support of U.S. European Command
January 5, 2023 — Approximately 45 Soldiers from the Utah Army National Guard’s Main Command Post – Operational Detachment are scheduled to depart Utah in early January, to deploy in support of U.S. European Command operations overseas. The Soldiers and their families will be honored during a deployment ceremony at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2023, at the Camp Williams Readiness Center... MORE

New Command Chief Warrant Officer for Utah Army National Guard
December 3, 2022 — The Utah Army National Guard will welcome its new command chief warrant officer during a change-of-responsibility ceremony scheduled to occur at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5, in the Draper headquarters’ auditorium. During the ceremony, Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Searcy will relinquish the role of command chief of the Utah Army National Guard to Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Erickson... MORE

Utah Air National Guard Airman dies during routine deployment
December 1, 2022 — An Airman assigned to the 151st Air Refueling Wing died Nov. 29, of medical complications while on a routine deployment to Guam... MORE

Utah National Guard to host Annual Veterans Day Concert commemorating the Korean War
November 9, 2022 — The Utah National Guard will host the 67th annual Veterans Day Concert. This free and open-to-the-public concert will be held at the Tabernacle on Temple Square, beginning at 7 p.m., Nov. 11, 2022. This Veterans Day Concert will commemorate the Korean War, “Remembering the Forgotten War.” Retired Senior Master Sgt. Sterling Poulson, master of ceremonies, will highlight music performances by the Utah National Guard's 23rd Army Band, led by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Denny Saunders, and the combined Granite School District high school choir. ... MORE

Service members and their supporters from across the state gathered at the Tabernacle on Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah November 8, 2019 for the Utah National Guard’s 64th Annual Veteran’s Day Concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy.

Utah National Guard to conduct multi-agency disaster response exercise
November 6, 2022 — The Utah National Guard’s Domestic Operations Office in conjunction with the Utah State Emergency Operation Center, Division of Emergency Management, is conducting a multi-agency training event at Camp Williams in Bluffdale, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022... MORE

Soldiers with 2nd General Aviation Support Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment transport patients on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to the Riverton Hospital helicopter pad to be treated at the emergency room.

3rd annual Vets Vittles event to distribute food and items to military and veteran families
November 2, 2022 — Blue Star Families of Utah’s 3rd annual ‘Vets Vittles’ event, scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, will be held at the parking lot of the Utah National Guard’s Salt Lake Readiness Center, located at 1640 North 2200 West in Salt Lake City. The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes is teaming with the Utah chapter of the Blue Star Families through a partnership with Feed the Children to celebrate and thank military families for their sacrifice and service. Food, hygiene, and other essential items will be provided for up to 400 military and veteran families during the event in appreciation for their service to our nation... MORE

Vet's Vittles
A Nourish the Service Thanksgiving Food Distribution for all active-duty, Guard, and Reserve military, veterans, caregivers, and Gold Star Families.

ESGR Presented Awards to Civic Leaders
October 26, 2022 — Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented the Seven Seals and Patriot Awards to select civic leaders at a ceremony on Wednesday. Gov. Spencer Cox received both the ESGR’s Seven Seals Award and the Patriot Award. Mr. Gary Harter, executive director for the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, and Mr. Jon Pierpont, chief of staff to the governor and former executive director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services, also received the ESGR Seven Seals Award... MORE

Gov. Spencer Cox received both the ESGR’s Seven Seals Award and the Patriot Award. Mr. Gary Harter, executive director for the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, and Mr. Jon Pierpont, chief of staff to the governor and former executive director of the Utah Department of Workforce Services, also received the ESGR Seven Seals Award at a ceremony on Oct. 26, 2022.