Tag Archive for: Army National Guard

Minnesota National Guard 2025 Year in Review

In this special Year in Review episode (recorded late 2025), retired Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham sits down with the Minnesota National Guard’s command team:

They discuss leadership dynamics, 2025 accomplishments, domestic and international missions, and exciting plans for 2026.

Key Highlights from 2025

  • Force growth and high readiness levels (nearly 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen strong)
  • Domestic support: Wildfire response on the North Shore and cyber assistance in St. Paul
  • International partnerships: Deepened ties with Croatia (29 years) and Norway (including the 52nd troop exchange)

Looking Ahead to 2026

  • 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX) in February
  • 30th anniversary celebrations with Croatia, including joint training
  • Upcoming deployments and returns (e.g., 34th MP Company, 148th Fighter Wing)
  • Modernization: New C-130J aircraft arriving for the 133rd Airlift Wing
  • New facilities opening, including the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum

The leaders emphasized trust, community connections (“We live here, we work here, we serve here”), and pride in the Guard’s motto: Always Ready, Always There
Interested in joining? As CSM Rost says: “This is a great time to be part of this team—we need leaders for the next generation.”

For more information or to explore service opportunities: MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil

34th Military Police Company Heads to the Middle East
This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we sit down with the Commander and First Sergeant of the 34th Military Police Company (Stillwater, MN) as the unit prepares to deploy in early January 2026 to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Mission: Customs operations
The 34th will screen returning U.S. personnel and equipment for prohibited items and agricultural contraband across more than ten dispersed sites throughout the CENTCOM region — a unique mission that puts small teams of Minnesota Guard MPs in charge of critical checkpoints as troops and gear flow home. Guests include:

2024 Military Spouse Appreciation Day at the State Fair

This week we are recorded live from the Minnesota State Fair. Coming up on this weeks show, we host a round-table with the Adjutant General and Assistant Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard as well as the National Director of the Army National Guard. In our other segments we meet with and celebrate the Military Spouses of these Generals. Guests include:

This week we discuss all things Military Appreciation Day at the Minnesota State Fair with the director of the Army National Guard and Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard and meet with the Commander of the The Red Bull Band – 34th Infantry Division. Guests include:

Director of the Army National Guard and Doing My Duty Book

This week we meet with the Director of the Army National Guard, learn about a Minnesota Veteran’s book about his deployment in Vietnam, and get an update from the MN Patriot Guard. Guests include: