An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NEWS | May 4, 2021

Utah Army National Guard Land Component Command welcomes new commander

By Sgt. 1st Class John Etheridge Utah Army National Guard

It was a morning of transitions as the Utah Army National Guard held a ceremony for the incoming and outgoing commanders of the Land Component Command on Tarbet Field at Camp Williams, Utah, May 1, 2021.

The Land Component Command is the headquarters for deployable Utah Army National Guard units and is responsible for overseeing the training and readiness of six major subordinate commands, comprised of approximately 4,400 Soldiers. The commander of the Land Component Command is accountable to the adjutant general to ensure these commands and their subordinate units are prepared to respond to any domestic or foreign contingency.

The morning began with a promotion ceremony as Col. Charlene Dalto was promoted to brigadier general in preparation to take her new command. Her two daughters and son helped pin on her star as she transitioned from field-grade officer to general officer. Dalto’s son, Utah Army National Guard Spc. Blake Dalto, rendered his mother her first salute as a general officer.

Before her promotion, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox spoke about her career and accomplishments.

“Today is a historical day as we promote Col. Dalto to brigadier general in the Utah Army National Guard; the first female to be promoted to this position. There aren’t many firsts left in this world, and congratulations Colonel on this one,” said Cox.

Cox then spoke about her previous positions and lengthy 38-year career. Dalto, a registered nurse in her civilian career, spent her first 20 years in the Army as an enlisted Soldier, earning her way up to master sergeant before accepting a direct commission as an officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Dalto has commanded the Utah Army National Guard’s Medical Detachment since 2018. In her most recent position, she has been instrumental in the Utah National Guard’s response to COVID-19 and the state of Utah’s vaccination efforts.

“The state of Utah needed your help Col. Dalto, and [you] answered the call,” said Cox.

Following the promotion ceremony, Maj. Gen. Michael Turley, the adjutant general, Utah National Guard, presided over the the passing of the organizational colors from the current Land Component Command, Commander, Brig. Gen. Thomas Fisher, to the new commander, signifying the transition of authority to Dalto.

In his remarks, Turley thanked Fisher for his service and leadership.

“Thank you for what you have done. You and your family have been so important to this organization,” said Turley. “Your service to this nation, this state, this command and to the Utah National Guard are without parallel.”

To the incoming commander, Dalto, the adjutant general gave his guidance for a successful command.

“Seek readiness in all things. There is no other important factor other than the readiness of our units and the survival of the mission. Develop your partnerships. Please look to help those partners be successful,” Turley continued. “Remember we are here to do the mission of the citizens of the state and citizens of the nation and that will require you to push people to their limits.”

During his comments, Fisher recounted the objectives of his team during his command. He wanted units and Soldiers to know that they are important and that what they did was important. He also wanted the highest readiness for units and individuals for the war-fight and domestic missions. To accomplish these objectives, Fisher recounted how his team visited every training event of the major subordinate commands and interacted with units to ensure training objectives were met. He explained how Land Component Command units deployed to several countries and supported the state in multiple roles through the pandemic.

“Thorough all of that, I’m going to be bold enough to say that we accomplished the mission, however, there is still a lot of work to be done; and General Dalto, it’s your turn,” said Fisher, figuratively passing the reins of Land Component Command mission to Dalto.

Dalto thanked her mentors, role models, and leaders that provided her the opportunities and challenges that led to her new position and pledged to continue the hard work in her new command.

“It is such a privilege to take command of these distinguished units. I am humbled, but also reassured that the groundwork that was laid by Brig. Gen. Fisher will ensure my success,” said Dalto. “I commit to continuing that hard work and ensuring that our Soldiers are trained and ready.”

Following the change of command, Fisher gathered with family, friends and fellow Guard members for his retirement ceremony, as he transitioned out of his distinguished 31-year military career

 

 

 

Your Career Starts Here

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Zahm (right) and Master Sgt. Shaundra Andress (left) communicate about an upcoming project for the base comm office. (Air National Guard photo by: Tech Sgt. Nicholas Perez)
16 Key Principles of Effective Communication
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Feb. 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...

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 National Guard hosts world’s largest Polyglot Games at the MI Language Conference
By Master Sgt. Samantha Xanthos | Feb. 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...

The Utah Air National Guard honor their outstanding nominees during the Airmen of the Year banquet at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center on Jan. 7th, 2023. The Airmen of the Year award program is designed to recognize Airmen who display superior leadership, job performance and personal achievement.

(Air National Guard photo by: Tech. Sgt. Danny Whitlock)
Utah Air National Guard Honors the Airmen of the Year 2022
By Tech. Sgt. Danny Whitlock | Jan. 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...

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)
Utah National Guard Hosts Multi-Agency Disaster Response Exercise
By Capt. Megan Tidwell | Nov. 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,...

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. 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.
ESGR Presented Awards to Civic Leaders
By Maj. Chris Kroeber | Oct. 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...

Sgt. Maurice Manns II with the 204th Maneuver  Enhancement Brigade, emerges for a breath during the swimming portion of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge , conducted at Camp Williams, Utah Oct. 16, 2022. This year’s competition offers an opportunity for competitors to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. The Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition is an annual event that brings together Soldiers and Airmen from the major commands to compete for the title of Soldier/Airman-of-the-Year, Noncommissioned Officer-of-the-Year and Senior NCO-of-the-Year. The Army winners of this competition will represent the Utah Army National Guard at the Region VII Best Warrior Competition next spring.  (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
UTNG Best Warrior Competition Presents Top Competitors
By Spc. Shae Cox | Oct. 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...

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)
Utah Honor Guard Provides Funeral Honors for WWII Airman
By Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack | Oct. 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...

Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley conduct a pass and review during the 67th annual Governor’s Day at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. The humvee is driven by Sgt. Spencer Fayles with the 144th Area Support Medical Company, the 2022 All-Guard National Soldier of the Year. The time-honored tradition of Governor’s Day has been celebrated by the Utah National Guard since 1954 and allows the governor to inspect and speak to his troops. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
Utah National Guard celebrates 67th Governor’s Day after two year hiatus
By Capt. Megan Tidwell | Sept. 26, 2022
Utah National Guard Airmen and Soldiers celebrated the 67th annual Governor’s Day after a two-year hiatus Sept. 24, 2022, at Camp Williams, Utah...

Soldiers from the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) arrive at Dugway Proving Ground in support of an agile combat employment joint exercise on Sept. 8, 2022. This joint force exercise incorporates more than six military’s entities across three branches creating innovative operational concepts to allow quick response to an ever-changing wartime horizon. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Danny Whitlock)
Utah Air National Guard Completes Joint Agile Combat Employment Exercise
By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | Sept. 8, 2022
As the Department of the Air Force continues to prioritize Agile Combat Employment , Airmen from the 151st Air Refueling Wing conducted its first joint Multi-Capable Airmen exercise at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah on Sept. 8,...

Approximately 10 Soldiers from Target Acquisition Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 65th Field Artillery Brigade, “America’s Thunder,”  are recognized during a departure ceremony Sept. 1, 2022, in the Scott Lundell Readiness Center auditorium at Camp Williams, Utah. The Soldiers will deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under U.S. Africa Command.
Soldiers from the Utah National Guard’s 65th Field Artillery Brigade deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
By Ileen Kennedy | Sept. 2, 2022
Approximately 10 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 65th Field Artillery Brigade, “America’s Thunder,” will deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom under U.S. Africa Command. The Target Acquisition...