Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Texas Air National Guard feeding families in need By Master Sgt. Lynn M. Means
                Texas Military Department
 ARLINGTON, Texas – In the heat of a Texas summer morning, Tech. Sgt. Brenna Jackson directs vehicles through the exit of the food distribution operations area, noting each driver's face as they pass her by. Some drivers smile through their masks and wave a thank you. Most pull their masks off to guarantee their "thank you" is heard. "One driver rolled down her window with tears streaming down her face, just to say thanks," said Jackson. "She didn't know how she was going to feed her family." Jackson, 136th Security Forces Squadron squad leader and NCO in charge of the outgoing traffic control for food distribution operations in Tarrant County and surrounding areas, is part of the Texas Military Department's COVID response mission. Each week she works alongside several other Air National Guard members and the Tarrant Area Food Bank, packing and distributing food for community members in need. Her favorite part of the operation is directing the exit traffic. "I don't give them the food," said Jackson. "I just make sure they get out safely." "I've loaded up vehicles at some distributions, but I like being at the exit points. When you're loading up vehicles, you don't get to talk to the families you're feeding. At the exit, though, you get a brief moment with each of them, and their happiness is very contagious." Jackson grinned as she explained the many ways community members tend to react. "They roll down their windows, some of them crying, but all of them with big smiles on their faces, thanking us for what we did, for our service," said Jackson. "And it just makes you feel good, knowing you've made someone's day a little better. This kind of work is why I joined the Guard. It makes me cry." Each week, Jackson works alongside a Citizen-Airmen team, packaging up to 50,000 pounds of food per day. In the warehouse, the Texas summer heat is stifling, but the Airmen push through. "Sometimes we do fruits and vegetables, sometimes dry foods," said Jackson. "And it's just a variety pack, which makes it easier for distribution points." Jackson said seeing the end result during distribution is the most rewarding part of the mission. "That makes doing all of this worth it – the hard work, packing in a warehouse with no air conditioning, all the physical labor five days a week – all worth it," said Jackson. "Just knowing that you're helping people and making their day better, that's my favorite part." Military members often don't get to see the result of their portion of the mission, explained Jackson, so it's hard to see the big picture. It profoundly impacts the team to see what they packaged each week loaded into cars at distribution points, feeding families in need. "Hey, I put that together!" exclaimed Jackson with a grin. "And it's being used. We get to see where it starts and where it ends up. And it's great knowing that it's actually making a difference and it's not just collecting dust somewhere." Seeing the result in this mission has a genuinely positive effect on the Airmen, who put in an extra effort to ensure as many families as possible can be fed. "They're hard workers, but they make the job fun and worthwhile," said Jackson. "They don't complain about it. They come to work, they know when to play, but when it's time to work, they don't stop until we're done." Pointing at one Airman working traffic control, Jackson indicates his main job during the COVID mission is driving a truck. "When they're waiting for their truck to be loaded, they're not sitting back relaxing," said Jackson. "They step up and ask, 'What do you guys need help with?' And they help us get caught up. They see a need and go do it." Jackson said their work ethic was indicative of her whole team. "I'm very proud of them. I could not have asked for a better team." During the COVID-19 response, Texas Air National Guard members from the 136th Airlift Wing packed and distributed over six million pounds of food, benefiting more than 80,000 families and individuals in and around Tarrant County. They are Texans serving Texas.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 How the National Guard is helping
  Photos of the National Guard response
 Latest from the CDC
 Texas Air National Guard
 Texas Military Department
 Food Bank
 COVID-19
 
 Texas Air Guard Tests Agile Combat Employment with MQ-9 Reaper
 By Sean Cowher,
  Texas Guard’s 147th Attack Wing Receives Latest MQ-9 Reaper
 By Sean Cowher,
  147th Attack Wing MQ-Reaper Completes ACE Movement in Europe
 By Story by 1st Lt. Daniel Martinez,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 3 hours ago
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • yesterday
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • yesterday
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • yesterday
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (189)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil