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
 NEWS
 Ohio's 'Buckeye' Brigade departs on historic deployment By Maj. Nicole Gabriel
                Ohio National Guard
 1,600 arrive safely, start training at Fort Hood The Soldiers were stoic, the thousands of well-wishers, supportive, and the VIPs' comments, laudatory, but the mood was bittersweet at the recent deployment ceremonies for the 1,600 Citizen-Soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard's 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) who left recently for a historic yearlong deployment in support the Global War on Terrorism. Family, friends and supporters gathered in full force at 17 ceremonies across Ohio, from Austintown to Springfield, Columbus to Sandusky, to honor the Soldiers for answering their nation's call, say thank you and wish them well as they left for mobilization training and a tour in Kuwait. This deployment, the largest single-unit deployment for the Ohio National Guard since World War II and the Korean War, marks a significant milestone for Ohio and the "Buckeye" Brigade, which has a prolific lineage. Brigade Commander Col. Richard Curry told his troops they were not only combating terrorism, but they were writing a new chapter in Ohio's rich military history. "Each of these dedicated deploying Soldiers marches forward into history, adding their life contribution, which will enrich our proud traditions and the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's lineage and honors," he said. One of those Soldiers was Spc. Jonathan Gwynne of Company G, 237th Support Battalion, Medina, who, like his fellow Soldiers, wore the uniform with the reinstated left shoulder-sleeve insignia, the bright-red circle with an outer ring of white (a resemblance of the center of the Ohio flag), which has not been worn for federal service since 1954. After this deployment, the patch will earn the distinction of being worn on the Soldiers' right shoulders as a combat patch, which has not happened since World War II. While Gwynne was ready to make history, this call to duty brought a pang of mixed emotions for his proud mother Melissa Gwynne, who must send a son -- and a Soldier -- off to war. "This is what he's always wanted to do since he was 7 years old," Melissa said. "I have waves of emotion," she continued, tears welling in her eyes, and choking on her words. "He loves his country and he is very patriotic. I am behind him 100 percent." The Ohio National Guard leadership, elected officials from the federal, state and community levels, including representatives from U.S. Sens. George V. Voinovich and Sherrod Brown; several U.S. representatives and their staffs; Gov. Ted Strickland and members of his staff; state legislators; as well as numerous county commissioners, mayors and other local officials, attended every ceremony and inspired the Soldiers with praise, proclamations, promises of support and flags. In Medina, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones read a poem, "Live Your Creed," and said military service men and women like those in "Medina's Own" Company G, 237th Support Battalion set the example for others to follow. She also gave Company Commander Capt. Tim O'Connor a proclamation and a flag. "Take it (the flag) with you, protect it and bring it back," she said. "So far, every time I have given a flag, everyone has come back," she continued, generating applause and cheers from the crowd. Strickland attended the ceremonies in Galloway and Springfield for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment and the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 237th Special Troops Battalion, 37th IBCT, respectively. He shook each Soldier's hand and even helped promote 1st Sgt. Thomas Watson to command sergeant major. "I wish I could look each one of you in the eye and thank you on behalf of the people of the great state of Ohio for the time and talent that you are giving in service to Ohio and in service to America," Strickland said. Pfc. Megan Aigner of Company G, 237th Support Battalion had recently finished basic and advanced individual training, but said she was eager to go and start the mission. "We've been preparing for this," she said. "We have had our good training. I am anxious to do our mission and do it well." The 37th IBCT, now comprised of Citizen-Soldiers from Ohio and Michigan, deploys for the first time as a modular brigade combat team formation -- a far cry from 1835 when each state sent its militias to the face-off across the Maumee River in a dispute over the territory that is now Toledo. The present-day "Buckeye" Brigade, along with about 950 of their fellow Soldiers from the Michigan Army National Guard, arrived safely last week at Fort Hood, Texas, to conduct training before deploying in early spring to Kuwait, where they will conduct base camp and security missions. "Things are going really well," Curry said recently from Fort Hood. "The brigade is settled in and the Soldier processing went very well. The morale of the Soldiers is high, the facilities are better than they expected and they are ready to start their train-up for the mission. The brigade has been getting kudos from the trainers for how well prepared we are. The Soldiers put in a lot of extra training this year to be ready for this mission and the instructors have been impressed." While other units within the new brigade have deployed for various missions at home and abroad, this is the first deployment as an Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which mobilizes under the new Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) Model and is currently scheduled to deploy for a total of 12 months. The Ohio National Guard has about 2,000 Soldiers and Airmen deployed for various missions around the world, but Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, the adjutant general, said the Ohio National Guard is ready to support any state emergency. "While the Ohio National Guard continues to support the Global War on Terrorism, we are ready to respond when called to support an emergency in Ohio," he said. "[It] stands at more than 15,000 strong, so this deployment is a small percentage of our total force, and we have ample resources remaining in the state."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Conduct Expert Exchange
 By Joseph Siemandel,
  Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park
 By Lt. Col. Darrin Haas,
  Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match
 By Master Sgt. Charles Johnston,
  More
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 2 days ago
 Champions Repeat at NH National Guard Marksmanship Match Guard News • 3 days ago
 West Virginia Air National Guard Wing Conducts ’Super Drill’ Guard News • 3 days ago
 Idaho Medical Airmen Train in Field to Boost Readiness Guard News • 3 days ago
 Alaska Air National Guard rescues 6 plane crash victims Guard News • 3 days ago
 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