Free Health Care for All Troops Is Key Priority, National Guard General Tells Congress
Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee nominations hearing on Capitol Hill, Thursday, June 18, 2020, in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Pool via AP)
18 May 2021
Lack of easy access to mental health services may be compounding the suicide issue in the National Guard, its top officer told lawmakers, pointing out that some troops do not get free health care.
Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, on Tuesday called delivering health care to all Guardsmen his No. 1 legislative priority. If we look at the past year and what we asked them to do, particularly when we didn t know what a COVID environment would be like. … We want the service member and their family to know if anything happens if they re sick, before or after duty they re going to get the care they need to continue their civilian or military employment, Hokanson said during
LINCOLN, Neb. From 1942-1946, U.S. lawmakers allowed women opportunities to serve in the military but intended for them to serve only during World War II and set a limit of 2 percent of total personnel within each service, Army, Army Air Corps, Marine,
Celebrate Armed Forces Day with this story from an Air Force veteran
In today s Neighbors column, Bob Lind shares former North Dakotan John Mertes Air Force jump experience as sent in by his sister. Written By: Bob Lind | ×
“Stand in the door!’ shouts the jumpmaster.
“I shuffle my way to the door, static line clenched in my sweaty fist, and enter the stream of rushing air as it passes between the open doors.”
Thus begins the story of his Air Force jump experience as written by
John Mertes and which was sent to “Neighbors” by his sister,
Jane (Mertes) Priebe, Wahpeton, N.D., after he died last fall in Mesa, Ariz., at the age of 64.
Civil Air Patrol assists SD Air National Guard in F-16 training
CAP South Dakota WingMay 14, 2021News
CAP South Dakota WingSouth Dakota Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing aerial intercept training.
SIOUX FALLS, SD South Dakota Wing, Civil Air Patrol, played a crucial part in South Dakota Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing aerial intercept training May 12 and 13 by playing the role of adversary aircraft flying in restricted air space. The training helped the Air Guard be ready for the possible real-world need to intercept aircraft having emergencies, violations of Temporary Flight Restriction areas, and other aerial targets.
CAP also provides direct support to the United States Air Force, such as the SDANG training flights.
11 BASTROP, Texas - The Texas Military Department hosted this year’s Army National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition at Camp Swift near Bastrop, Texas, May 3-7, 2021. Fourteen competitors from Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana and Missouri National Guards competed in events that test their combat readiness skills.
Traditionally, two Army National Guard Soldiers from each state compete in the annual event, but this year one lone Texas Air National Guardsman from 136th Security Forces Squadron in Fort Worth, stood amongst the competitors - Senior Airman Christopher Gangeme.
“Having the opportunity to take part in this competition is a very significant experience and it is important to have Air Guard representation next to the Army,” Gangeme said. “We often serve together, so this is a good opportunity for us to come together and build camaraderie with a little friendly competition.”