News
Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s Adjutant General; Air Force Col. Jesse Carlson, 133rd Airlift Wing commander; and leaders and members of the Minnesota National Guard Asian American and Pacific Islander Special Emphasis Council participated in the Tết festivities celebrating the new year in Burnsville on Jan. 11. “Partnerships are one of our
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“Always Ready, Always There” is a slogan used in the Air National Guard. When service members choose to enlist in the Air National Guard, they choose to serve their state and nation and can be deployed for military contingencies, humanitarian efforts, restoration of peace, and to support natural disasters. The Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter
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Did you know that roughly one-third, or 500 million acres, of the U.S. is forest? And did you know that Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. that is considered a jungle? By definition, a forest has many tall trees and can usually be traveled by humans, while
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The Minnesota National Guard had a busy 2024, supporting state activations, federal deployments and a variety of other missions. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the people who serve the organization and the state of Minnesota. “Our people are our greatest resource,” said Maj. Gen. Shawn P. Manke, the Adjutant General of the
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Deploying overseas is never easy, but for Master Sgt. Brett Pappa and Sgt. 1st Class Valerie Pappa, it means navigating both their roles as senior noncommissioned officers, and their life as a married couple—all while serving side-by-side. Both members of the Minnesota National Guard 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls,” the couple is currently deployed in
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Minnesota National Guard staff and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon partners and volunteers teamed up this month for Operation Merry Meals to provide holiday meals for Minnesota veterans, service members, and military families in need. “The holiday season often underscores the love for family, duty, and gratitude that defines military life,” said Army Col. Eduardo Suarez,
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As of 2024, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, also known as BTYR, has grown to include 87 companies and organizations, and 53 community networks. Their combined efforts make an impact on the lives of Minnesota’s Veterans, service members, and military families in the places where they live, work, and serve. BTYR had another busy
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In 2024, Minnesota Military Radio entered a new chapter as Tom Lyons, the program’s host for the past 14 years, transitioned out of the role and handed the reins to Retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wortham. Doug, a respected leader with decades of military experience, now leads the program with renewed energy and an
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Minnesotans may join the National Guard for many different reasons, but a benefit for some Soldiers is the lifelong skills and professional development they learn through their service. Twin brothers, Army Sgt. Jaden Newbanks, a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 851st Vertical Engineers and team lead in the Minnesota 55th Chemical, Biological, Radioactive, Nuclear,
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Minnesota National Guard staff and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon partners and volunteers teamed up for Operation Turkey Drop to provide food for Thanksgiving for Minnesota military veterans, service members, and families in need. “This is a tremendous effort that can only be accomplished with the hard work, kindness, volunteerism, and generosity of so many people
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Media Advisories
Governor Walz isues Executive Order 20-13 authorizing National Guard assistance to COVID-19 response
March 21, 2020 (ST. PAUL, Minn.) — Governor Tim Walz today signed Executive Order 20-13, which authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to both transport personal protective equipment (PPE) in storage at Camp Ripley to the Minnesota Department of Health warehouse in Saint Paul and also assist with planning and coordination of PPE supply delivery through
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March 20, 2020 (ST. PAUL, Minn.) – The Minnesota National Guard is offering flexible alternatives for upcoming training weekends in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are an operational force, and must continue to train in order to be ready to conduct our state mission if called on to support during this pandemic,” said Maj.
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March 3, 2020 (ST. PAUL, Minnesota) — More than 100 U.S. Air Force Airmen and four C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 133rd Airlift Wing will be returning home Wednesday and Friday from a six month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. During the course of their time overseas,
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February 24, 2020 (ST. PAUL, Minnesota) – The Minnesota National Guard will see several milestone events this year, including the deployment of nearly 1,000 soldiers, the opening of a 150,000 square-foot readiness center in Arden Hills, completion of a large-scale training exercise and the implementation of a new fitness test for the more than 11,000
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February 20, 2020 (Coon Rapids, Minnesota) – Col. Shawn Manke will be promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a promotion ceremony Friday, February 21, in Coon Rapids. Manke currently serves as the Assistant Division Commander for Operations of the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. He formerly served as the Chief
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