Posted on August 8th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
DULUTH, Minn. – Like many others, service members at the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing made the decision to serve their state and nation. Some were inspired by a family member, a mentor, or a friend. Senior Airman Billie Jago, a fighter aircraft integrated avionics specialist, had a variety of reasons for why she
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Posted on August 7th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
Born in Zimbabwe, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Kent Mafuta has a passion for learning. Mafuta, who is currently a signal officer with Arden Hills-based Charlie Company,34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, and a former enlisted Soldier and truck driver for the Minnesota National Guard, joined the organization in May of 2019 and commissioned as an officer
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Posted on August 1st, 2024 by Bob Brown
A team of five Minnesota National Guard Soldiers took part in the Adriatic Regional Security Cyber Cooperation exercise in Postojna, Slovenia, from June 24 – July 25, 2024. The exercise was held at the Slovenian Armed Forces Baron Andrej Cehovin barracks. Approximately 50 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from six states participated in the exercise
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Posted on July 26th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
Born and raised in Peru, Capt. Fernando Fanola decided to raise his right hand and embark on a new journey as an officer in the Minnesota National Guard. Fanola had just moved to the U.S. and wanted to give back to the nation that had offered him many opportunities. Fanola, who moved to the U.S.
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Posted on July 25th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Erin Hansch, the 133rd Airlift Wing’s Human Resource Advisor, can be thanked for being the catalyst that sparked momentum behind the concept of allyship to the 133rd Airlift Wing, turning it into a movement. As the Human Resource Advisor, Hansch advises and assists senior leadership on strategic initiatives that
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Posted on July 24th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
Aviators from two Cedar Rapids, Iowa based units recently partnered to conduct a sling load operation exercise at Camp Ripley on July 20, 2024. Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment and Alpha Company, 334th Brigade Support Battalion delivered food supplies to various units stationed at Camp Ripley. The mission was part of
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Posted on July 19th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
DULUTH, Minn. — In May 1982, Joan’s Jett’s ‘I Love Rock ‘N Roll’ was number one on the radio, and Superior-native, Master Sgt. Tom Krob enlisted at the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, as an Aircraft Fuel Systems Specialist. Early in his career, Krob worked on the Wing’s F-4 Phantom II aircraft. He
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Posted on July 12th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
On May 23, 2024, Army Maj. Tracy Mankowski became the Minnesota National Guard’s first female service member to graduate from the U.S. Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, or SAMS, under their Advanced Military Studies Program, or AMSP, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Mankowski was among only 14 women in her graduating class of 122 students,
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Posted on July 10th, 2024 by Sirrina Martinez
In high school, the path to the future can often seem uncertain. For Spc. Kacie Diaz, a member of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls,” inspiration to serve in the military came from within her family and the need for a structured plan after graduation. Diaz was influenced by relatives who served
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