Ohio National Guard

10/07/2026

Exciting news for the future of the 121st Air Refueling Wing! ✈️

The 121st Air Refueling Wing has been identified as one of four Air National Guard bases advancing to the next stage of consideration to receive the KC-46A Pegasus, which would replace the wing’s current KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. The four finalists were selected from an initial group of 14 Air National Guard bases under consideration.

While a final decision has not yet been made, advancing to the final four marks an important milestone for the 121st Air Refueling Wing.

“The selection of the 121st Air Refueling Wing as one of four units being considered for the KC-46 mission is a tremendous recognition of the Wing’s Airmen, their record of excellence and the strategic value of Rickenbacker,” said Brig. Gen. Clarence K. Maynus, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air. “Our Airmen have demonstrated time and again that they are ready to answer our nation’s call, and this opportunity reflects the confidence placed in this outstanding organization.”

The 121st continues to provide critical air refueling capabilities in support of missions at home and around the world as the KC-46A basing selection process moves forward.

10/07/2026

10/05/2026

684th Medical Company honored during call to duty ceremony

Soldiers with the 684th Medical Company (Area Support) are honored during a call to duty ceremony at the Columbus Christian Center in Columbus, Ohio, Spet. 26, 2026. While deployed, the unit will provide medical support and evacuation capabilities to sustain joint and multinational forces, ensuring rapid casualty care, stabilization, and medical transport across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

🎥: Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Moeger

10/01/2026

This month in Ohio National Guard history, October 2026:
https://ong.ohio.gov/about-us/history/publications/2026/2026-10-01_ohng-attic.pdf

A group of Filipino children lay a wreath of flowers on a monument dedicated to the 37th Infantry Division at Tuguegarao, Luzon, Philippine Islands in 1945. In Through the Lens, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery show the Stinger missile system to Gov. Bob Taft during a visit to Camp Perry in 1999; in Week in Review, the 251st Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group is organized in Springfield in 1952 as the 251st Communications Group; and Hall of Valor honors Sgt. Ivin H. Dresbach of Company H, 166th Infantry, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Meuse-Argonne campaign in France on Oct. 14, 1918.

09/29/2026

🥊 2026 Ohio Army National Guard Combatives Tournament Champions!

Congratulations to the Soldiers who earned first place in their respective weight classes during the 2026 Ohio Army National Guard Combatives Tournament at Camp Perry Joint Training Center in Port Clinton, Ohio, Sept. 19, 2026.

🏆 Flyweight: Sgt. John Hostal, 323rd Military Police Company

🏆 Welterweight: Sgt. Tyler Eisenhower, 323rd Military Police Company

🏆 Middleweight: Spc. Dylan Thompson, 212th Maintenance Company

🏆 Cruiserweight: Sgt. Micah Conway, 812th Engineer Company

🏆 Light heavyweight: Spc. Glenn Keeton, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment

🏆 Heavyweight: Sgt. Gavyn Byrnes, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment

The tournament gave Soldiers an opportunity to test their skills, compete against their peers and demonstrate the discipline, resilience and warrior spirit required to succeed in close-quarters combat.

📸: Spc. Skyiah Johnson

09/28/2026

One mission. One Total Force.

Tech. Sgt. Alexis Yates, an Ohio Air National Guard recruiter, helped connect a qualified applicant with an opportunity to serve in the North Carolina Air National Guard, demonstrating Ohio’s expanding approach to recruiting beyond state lines.

By connecting applicants with Air National Guard opportunities nationwide, Ohio recruiters are helping retain qualified talent, strengthen interstate partnerships and support mission readiness across the force. Ohio recruiters secured 10 out-of-state accessions in the last quarter alone.

🎥: Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Moeger

121st Air Refueling Wing | 178th Wing | 179th Cyberspace Wing | 180th Fighter Wing | 200th RED HORSE

09/26/2026

Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Watkins on his retirement after more than 40 years of service in the military.

Thank you for your service, and congratulations on a well-earned retirement!

📸: Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Moeger

09/25/2026

About 50 members of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 684th Medical Company are deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The public is invited to attend a call to duty ceremony honoring the Soldiers at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at Columbus Christian Center, 2300 N. Cassady Ave., Columbus, OH 43219.

To view the full press release, please visit the Ohio National Guard website at:https://ong.ohio.gov/media/press-releases/2026/log24-09242026.pdf

09/24/2026

Strengthening Behavioral Health Readiness

Combat medics from the Ohio Army National Guard’s 112th Medical Battalion participated in the Behavioral Health Guidelines for Medic Assessment and Response pilot program at the Defense Supply Center Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, July 11, 2026.

The training strengthens readiness by giving medics practical skills to identify behavioral health concerns, conduct assessments, manage safety risks and connect Soldiers with appropriate care at the lowest level.

Developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research as part of the National Guard Bureau’s pilot program, the interactive training helps bridge gaps in current medic education and prepares Soldiers to better respond to behavioral health needs across the force.

📸: Sgt. Alexis Washington

09/03/2026

A New Chapter in Enlisted Leadership!

Congratulations to Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew R. Metter, who assumed responsibility as the 11th Ohio Army National Guard state command sergeant major during a ceremony at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 3, 2026.

The ceremony also marked the conclusion of Command Sgt. Maj. William A. Workley’s tenure as state command sergeant major as he prepares to retire after 42 years of service in the U.S. Army and Ohio Army National Guard.

Thank you, Command Sgt. Maj. Workley, for more than four decades of dedicated service and leadership, and congratulations to Command Sgt. Maj. Metter as he begins this new chapter.

📸: Sgts. Karl Mason & Carlee Smiddy