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
  Overseas Operations
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Guam National Guard members continue Operation Enduring Freedom mission By Sgt. Edward Siguenza
                1-294th Infantry Regiment
 CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - Seventy-five days into the Guam Army National Guard's historic Operation Enduring Freedom mission, the pace has been arduous. More than 2,000 missions completed. More than 25,000 miles logged. More man-hours produced in about three months, than the past two years gearing up for this mission. Equally important, the harrowing death of two members of the Guam Guard's 1-294th Infantry Regiment within a month of arriving in theater. "We expected this, but it just seems like the pace just keeps picking up," said Maj. Rick Flores, commander, Charlie Company, 1-294th. "We're busier than the company we relieved [in April]. It's the summer season now. More activity has picked up." The Guam Guard has previously supported OEF in Afghanistan and South Africa, but has never committed more than a company-sized unit. This round, there are multiple companies. Guam Guard members are dispersed throughout all Regional Support Groups-Afghanistan, covering thousands of square miles, with a mission of providing security forces, guardian angels and personal security details. Its overall mission is to follow the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan's effort of sustaining an Afghan-led security force. "Soldiers of the 1-294th Infantry Regiment are making an impressive contribution to the overall effort of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan," Task Force Guam commander Lt. Col. Michael Tougher said. "I am extremely proud of each and every one of them.” The Guam Guard officially relieved Task Force Centurion Prime, 1-167th Infantry, Fourth Alabama, in early May. It commenced mission as Task Force Guam-Chamorri. In early June, Guam forces provided personal security for Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's executive leadership. Hagel met Afghan Minister of Defense Bismillah Khan Mohammadi  then. Charlie company soldiers, led by Staff Sgt. Mike Palacios, escorted top enlisted advisers to places around Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, and Bagram Air Field. Palacios' personal security detachment regularly escorts command staff from NTM-A and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Cervantes, NTM-A and CSTC-A command sergeant major, commended the Guam group, stating, "They've been professional soldiers from the start. They know how to do their jobs and I'm lucky to have them." The 1-294th Soldiers continue escorting military and civilian dignitaries in both tactical and non-tactical vehicles. These dignitaries contribute to the Afghan National Security Force sustainment. Their efforts, along with Guam's early assistance, reached a critical milestone June 18 when ANSF assumed the lead for combat operations throughout Afghanistan. "This is a tribute to the determination of the people of Afghanistan to take responsibility for their country's future," Hagel said. "This achievement keeps us and our coalition partners on track to bring our combat mission to a close next year and transition to a non-combat, train, advise, and assist mission that will help ensure Afghans can sustain security into the future." Most of Guam's forces are stationed around or near Kabul, the country's capital. Flores leads the busiest of the 1-294th's unit. They run missions every day - sometimes more than a dozen per day - to where getting together for unit cohesion is more than difficult. "We're in the capital. We're in the heart of Afghanistan," Flores said. "It's a busy place." Sadly, the Guam Guard lost two members May 16 when an improvised explosive device killed Sgt. Eugene M. Aguon and Spc. Dwayne W. Flores. They were Guam's 22nd and 23rd OEF casualties since 2003. The Guam Guard members have incredibly united since then. Tactics and attitudes have dramatically changed. "The guys have been great. They're much more resilient now," added Flores. They're not just more alert. They've developed more [tactics, techniques and procedures] on how to respond to situations. With the disasters we normally get back home, the guys know how to bounce back." Flores also credits the support given by families on Guam. Families send care packages and gifts, and unknown associations are also donating items to lift soldiers' morale. "What's keeping up the motivation of the guys are care packages," said Flores. "Little things like that make a big difference. Look at my first sergeant. He's stocked up." Guam is still months away from returning to its Pacific home. The Guam guardsmen continue their commitment to assist Afghan security forces. Even though 75 have passed, no one is counting the days remaining. "Everyone, from every company, takes this mission seriously and performs professionally," Flores said. "They're always in harms way, but they continue to do their missions. That's what makes them so unique."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Pennsylvania Guard Military Police Deploying to Guantanamo Bay Overseas Operations • 3 days ago
 Maryland Air Guard Participates in Desert Flag 2024 Overseas Operations • 7 days ago
 Georgia Army Guard Joins DEFENDER 24 Exercise in Sweden Overseas Operations • 16 days ago
 Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 Begins in Heart of Mongolian Steppe Overseas Operations • 16 days ago
 Vermont Army Guard Soldiers Attend Brazilian Mountain School Overseas Operations • 21 days ago
 2024 (19)  2023 (57)  2022 (71)  2021 (58)  2020 (41)  2019 (56)  2018 (55)  2017 (46)  2016 (31)  2015 (36)  2014 (48)  2013 (64)  2012 (134)  2011 (163)  2010 (179)
 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