The motto of the National Guard is “Always ready, always there!” This has never been truer than last year, as the Ohio National Guard entered its second year of supporting the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of March 23, 2020, more than 4,000 soldiers and airmen, and members of the Ohio State Defense Force – which includes the Ohio Military Reserve and the Ohio Naval Militia – have responded. on call to help their communities through approximately 70 missions that have included supporting the state’s community immunization center, distributing food at local food banks, and processing unemployment claims in the event of a pandemic.

While the Ohio National Guard’s COVID-19 response has been reduced since the peak of the pandemic, there are currently around 80 members helping with vaccinations, testing and logistics for protective equipment warehouses. individual (PPE).

In addition, the Ohio National Guard has also completed many other state and federal missions over the past 12 months.

“The scope and duration of the missions have been unprecedented,” said Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., adjutant general of Ohio. “Our greatest asset is our people. We have assembled a diverse team who have shown, time and time again, a dedication to service. I am extremely grateful for their efforts over the past year in defending our country by deploying around the world, helping after natural disasters, providing stability in times of turmoil, and serving others during the pandemic of COVID-19. “

Natural disasters, national emergencies and federal deployments

Members of the Ohio National Guard were also called upon to support emergencies after natural disasters occurred during the year. In February, Governor Mike DeWine activated 100 Soldiers and Airmen to help clean up the ice storm and remove debris in Gallia and Lawrence counties.

Approximately 170 members of the Ohio National Guard from several units of the 112th Transportation Battalion, headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, responded to the Louisiana call for help in September, following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida.

During the 59th Presidential Inauguration in January, approximately 500 members of the Ohio National Guard assisted local and state authorities in Columbus and the Ohio Statehouse. There were approximately 1,000 members providing security and other support services in the Washington DC area. After the unveiling, approximately 150 Military Police were deployed over several months to assist Federal and District of Columbia authorities in various locations to enforce security, protect lives, and preserve critical infrastructure.

The year also saw scheduled federal mission deployments for several Ohio Air and Army National Guard units, while others completed their missions and returned home. Of these units, approximately 80 Soldiers from C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, based in McConnelsville, Ohio, departed in August for a one-year deployment in support of Central Command operations. American. And Airmen from the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio returned to their home post in May following an overseas deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

New potential mission

The Air Force Department announced in August that it had identified Mansfield-Lahm Air National Guard Base in Ohio as the preferred location for the Air National Guard’s first cyberwarfare wing. The transformation, if given final approval, would support the future needs of Air Combat Command and result in operational mission changes, including an increase of approximately 175 Airmen and associated infrastructure support to the base.

Cybersecurity

The Ohio Cyber ​​Reserve (OhCR) was deployed in early 2021 for the first time since its inception under the aegis of the Department of the Adjutant General as part of the State Defense Force. An OHCR member has been called upon to declare active duty under the governor’s authority to help with a cybersecurity breach. The member was chosen because of his expertise in the relevant network equipment, and he provided remote assistance for four days.

Celebrate international partnerships

The Ohio National Guard has partnered with the Republic of Serbia since 2006 and Hungary since 1993 under the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program (SPP). The PSP connects US states with a partner country to promote regional stability and develop military relations.

In a year celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Ohio-Serbia partnership, Serbian Ambassador to the United States Marko Đurić visited Ohio in May and signed a memorandum of understanding between the Department of ‘Ohio Higher Education, the Ohio Ministry of Education and the Serbian Ministry of Education to cooperate at the primary, secondary and higher education levels.

“It has been an exceptionally busy year and we have completed all the tasks given to us,” said Harris. “The strength of our force – every soldier, airman and civilian employee – makes us capable and ready to take on new missions, now and in the future.”

About the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department

The adjutant general is a member of the governor’s office and is responsible for the command of more than 16,000 members of the Ohio National Guard, consisting of the Ohio National Guard, the Ohio Air National Guard and Ohio State Defense Force, which consists of the Ohio Military Reserve, Ohio Naval Militia, and Ohio Cyber ​​Reserve.