Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition

Oct. 19, 2022 | By Capt. Jeffrey Brenchley

Lt. Col. Christopher Kroeber

Public Affairs Officer

Utah National Guard

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 available for our service members, their families, employers and our local communities.

The Utah National Guard's public website, ut.ng.mil, 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.

For additional photos, videos, and other digital media content, please visit and subscribe to our Flickr and DVIDS pages by clicking the appropriate link below:

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News Stories

Utah Airman keeps up with region’s top Soldiers at Best Warrior Competition
May 12, 2023 — Senior Airman Kevin Buckner, a fire protection journeyman with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, winner of the Soldier of the Year category at this year’s Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, impressed everyone with his superior physical performance and engaged attitude during the Region VII competition on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, May 7-11, 2023... MORE

Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu

Utah educators fly on Black Hawk helicopters over Salt Lake and Utah counties
March 17, 2023 — Educators from Salt Lake and Utah Counties were given the chance to fly high on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with members of the Utah National Guard’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment; and Recruiting and Retention Battalion, as part of a Centers of Influence event at Camp Williams, Utah, March 16, 2023. High School principals, counselors, teachers, administrators, and others attended the event to become familiar with the opportunities, scholarships, and resources the Utah National Guard offers. The educators were given an overview of some of the Guard’s capabilities and things the Guard can provide in addition to what can be provided by their communities... MORE

After the classroom briefing a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flown by members of the Utah National Guard’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment flew Utah high school principals, counselors, teachers, and administrators on a flight to help them learn more about the Utah National Guard and what it has to offer their students.

Utah Guardsmen Among Top Cooks in the Country
March 9, 2023 — Soldiers assigned to and supporting the 1457th Forward Support Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion, Utah National Guard, participate in the “Final Four” of the Philip A. Connelly Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, February 25, 2023. The Philip A. Connelly Award is given to the best food services organization in the Army... MORE

Spc Bridger Buehner, a food service specialist assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group Support Battalion, receives a coin from Col. Woodrow Miner, commander of the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, during the “Final Four” of the Philip A. Connelly Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, February 25, 2023. The Philip A. Connelly Award is given to the best food services organization in the Army. (US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell)

16 Key Principles of Effective Communication
February 23, 2023 — Effective communication is crucial to success in any field, but it is imperative in the military. In high-stakes, dynamic environments, clear and accurate communication is essential for ensuring the safety of troops, the success of missions, and the well-being of personnel. Military personnel must be able to communicate effectively with their colleagues, superiors, and subordinates and be able to convey information and instructions clearly and concisely. In this article, we will explore the 16 key principles of effective communication for military personnel and guide them on how to apply these principles in real-world situations. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just starting your military career, these principles will help you to become a more effective communicator and contribute to the success of your missions... MORE

Utah National Guard hosts world’s largest Polyglot Games at the MI Language Conference
February 11, 2023 — Competitors from multiple organizations came from across the country to participate in this year’s Polyglot games, hosted by the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade. More than 140 participants from 25 different organizations came together to make this the largest Polyglot Games ever held... MORE

Utah National Guard’s 300th Military Intelligence Brigade held its 34th annual Military Intelligence Language Conference on Feb. 11, 2023. As part of the conference more than 140 competitors from 25 different organizations participate in the Polyglot Games. The competition is conducted in seven different languages and follow every step of the intelligence cycle, from the operations order to a final commander's brief as they translate battlefield recordings and news reports, exploit documents to identify and destroy enemy equipment, and assess possible enemy courses of action.

Utah Air National Guard Honors the Airmen of the Year 2022
January 10, 2023 — The Utah Air National Guard celebrated its Airmen of the Year during a banquet held in their honor at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center Jan. 7, 2023 in West Valley City, Utah. The Airmen of the Year award program is designed to recognize Airmen who display superior leadership, job performance and personal achievement... MORE

Utah National Guard Hosts Multi-Agency Disaster Response Exercise
November 5, 2022 — The Utah National Guard’s Domestic Operations Office; in conjunction with the state of Utah Emergency Operation Center, Division of Emergency Management, conducted a multi-agency training event at Camp Williams in Bluffdale, Nov. 5, 2022... MORE

Utah National Guard members repel with the help of their civilian counterparts during a Utah National Guard FEMA Region VIII Homeland Response Force training exercise on Camp Williams, Utah, Nov. 5, 2022. The event featured multiagency interoperability training for the Utah National Guard and civilian partner agencies to provide initial and follow-on care to stranded and injured citizens in the event of a natural or human-caused emergency. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Alejandro Lucero)

ESGR Presented Awards to Civic Leaders
October 27, 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

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve presented the Seven Seals and Patriot Awards to select civic leaders at a ceremony on Oct. 26, 2022.

UTNG Best Warrior Competition Presents Top Competitors
October 24, 2022 — Twenty-three Soldiers and Airmen battled mental and physical challenges as they competed for the title of Soldier/Airman of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and Senior NCO of the Year, during the Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Williams, Utah, Oct. 16-19, 2022... MORE

Spc. Cipriano Spier with the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, pushes through a 12-kilometer ruck march as part of the Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, Oct. 18, 2022, at Camp Williams, Utah.

Utah Honor Guard Provides Funeral Honors for WWII Airman
October 13, 2022 — Soldiers and Airmen in the Utah National Guard Honor Guard conducted funeral honors for Phillips at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah, Oct. 11, 2022. Family, friends, other service members, and first responders attended... MORE

The Utah National Guard Honor Guard conducts Funeral Honors for the surviving family of U.S. Army Air Corps Sgt. Elvin L. Phillips, an Airman who was killed 79 years ago during World War II. Family from several states, friends, first responders, and service members gathered to render respect during the funeral at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale, Utah, Oct. 11, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack)

Press Releases

Utah National Guard will conduct day-and-night live-fire artillery exercises at Camp Williams
March 29, 2023 — The Utah National Guard’s 145th Field Artillery Battalion is scheduled to participate in live-fire, artillery-training exercises from 6:00 a.m. until midnight, Mar. 31 and April 1 and will conclude April 2 by noon at Camp Williams, Utah... MORE

Utah National Guard and the Honorary Colonels Corps hosts 61st Annual Bronze Minuteman Awards Dinner
March 29, 2023 — The Utah National Guard and the Honorary Colonels Corps will host the 61st Annual Bronze Minuteman Awards Dinner Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Salt Lake City’s Little America Hotel... MORE

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Jeff Burton (center), the previous adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, receives the Bronze Minuteman award

Addressing concerns over weekend flight patterns in West Jordan
March 27, 2023 — The Utah National Guard is aware of helicopter flights this past weekend that deviated from standard military flight patterns and caused concerns in the communities surrounding the South Valley Regional Airport. The Utah National Guard did not fly helicopters this past weekend. ... MORE

Utah National Guard’s 1457th Forward Support Company to participate as finalists in national Connelly Food Services competition
February 23, 2023 — The Utah National Guard’s 1457th Forward Support Company is scheduled to compete as finalists in the U.S. Army’s Phillip A. Connelly Award competition at Camp Williams, Utah, Feb. 24-25, 2023... MORE

Utah National Guard’s CST and EOD teams to support NBA All-Star Events
February 16, 2023 — The Utah National Guard’s 85th Weapons of Mass Destruction – Civil Support Team will be supporting law enforcement and other public safety agencies during the 72nd NBA All-Star weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 17-19, 2023... MORE

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