has been awarded for making communities across Missouri safer and healthier:
Our STATE MISSION is to provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise required by state law under the authority of the governor. Before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, when most people thought of the Missouri National Guard, they typically pictured Guard members filling sandbags or helping transport effected citizens during the floods of 1993. Our role has expanded since 9/11, with Guard members continually serving around the world and around our country, but we retain a robust emergency response ability, as seen during recent emergencies like the record flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and the May tornado in Joplin.
In the past five years, the Missouri National Guard has responded to a wide range of state and national emergencies including flooding on the Mississippi and Missouri, the Joplin tornado and the 2011 Blizzard.
This WINTER STORM event in late January/early February 2011 affected 39 counties in the state dropping heavy amounts of snow closing roads and preventing emergency responders and critical personnel (hospital workers, etc) from performing their duties. The Missouri National Guard pre-positioned forces early for the impending storm and reacted to direct support requests from civil authorities during the 6 day event. At the height of the response, 853 guard men and women were mobilized for the response. The main guard activities centered around transporting first responders and key personnel with high mobility military vehicles but guard personnel also conducted health and wellness checks and transported some critical commodities.
LARGE AMOUNTS OF RAIN in Missouri and in the Ohio River Basin, coupled with earlier rain and snow melt in northern states, caused flash flooding and Mississippi River flooding in April and May of 2011. This affected 7 counties in the southeast portion of the state. Again, the Missouri National Guard pre-positioned forces for a response and reacted to support requests from civil authorities in those counties. At the height of the operation, which lasted for 30 days (21 April to 21 May), 771 guard personnel were mobilized. The primary missions the guard supported involved sandbagging, conducting health and wellness checks, supporting civilian evacuation efforts, and providing security support to local law enforcement.
On May 22, an incredibly destructive TORNADO ravaged the city of Joplin and surrounding communities. The Missouri National Guard mobilized 377 personnel, at the height of response, to assist civil authorities in conducting search and rescue, security operations (Traffic Control Points and Security Patrols), assisting with transport and establishment of the Mobile Medical Unit, and performing functions related with Memorial Activities/POTUS visit to honor the victims of the tornado. The Missouri National Guard was also charged with supervising and coordinating the debris clean-up in the area. In this regard, the Guard provided 45 personnel and developed debris clearance tracking mechanisms, liaised with municipal/state/federal partners, and resolved various contentious issues resulting in the removal (private property, titled property, etc). This effort is still on-going, but to date (21AUG), 1,531,582.48 Cubic Yards of debris has been removed; 3131 of the 3216 (97.4%) Expedited Debris Removal parcels have been cleared; and 1143 of the 1236 (92.4%) commercial parcels in Joplin and Duquesne have been cleared. The Missouri National Guard has also assisted state agencies in finding Missourians in the affected area employment. These efforts have resulted in employing 602 civilians in the Joplin area to date.
Due to heavy rains and larger than expected snow melt in the northern plains states, the US Army Corps of Engineers was forced to release unprecedented amounts of water from upstream impoundments into the Missouri River. This caused prolonged moderate and major flood stages in NW and central Missouri which subsequently caused several levee systems to experience structural issues including failures. THE MISSOURI NATIONAL GUARD MOBILIZED FORCES for response, 500 at the height, beginning 3 June 2011. These forces responded to civil authority requests mainly with sandbagging operations (including aerial delivery of), levee monitoring, security operations, and commodities distribution. The operation ended on December 15, 2011.
Governor Jay Nixon's INITIATIVE to provide increased employment, interview and hiring opportunities to Missouri's Veterans and members of her National Guard and Reserve forces, and to showcase those employers who have pledged to do so.
The Missouri Committee for EMPLOYERS SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE promotes a culture in which employers support and value their employees' military service. The program recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and mediates conflicts. The program runs a variety of events including visits to mobilization training and boss lifts.
The FAMILY PROGRAM Office has a twofold mission - to improve the quality of life for Guard members and their Families, and to enhance service member readiness and retention. The office's Youth Program supports children of Guard members with summer camps and other events and the Missouri Military Relief Fund provides thousands of dollars in financial assistance to Guard and Reserve component Families that need assistance.
Established in 1999, the MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS PROGRAM coordinates and provides military funeral honors to Missouri's military Veterans. Our Military Funeral Honors program was the first in the nation to provide funeral honors to every honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. military. Before the program was established, only veterans who had served in wartime or had retired from the military were eligible for the honors. This program would not be possible without the support of various Veterans Service Organizations around the state.
Through the VETERANS RECOGNITION PROGRAM, Missouri has recognized thousands of Veterans who served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. To date, the Veterans Recognition Program has honored 46,294 World War II Veterans, 17,647 Korean War Veterans and 28,642 Vietnam-era Veterans.
The Defense Department's YELLOW RIBBON REINTEGRATION PROGRAM synchronizes, plans and manages the deployment cycle support process for unit and individual mobilizations in support of the adjutant general's intent. The Defense Department's Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program synchronizes, plans and manages the deployment cycle support process for unit and individual mobilizations in support of the adjutant general's intent. The program helps Veterans identify organizations and benefits that will aid them in their return to civilian life.
NEVADA, Mo. – In November, the Missouri National Guard will participate in a large-scale exercise known as Vigilant Guard in response to the possibility of a catastrophic earthquake near the New Madrid fault. Should such a disaster occur, the Guard is working on a response plan, while fostering relationships with its civilian, military and federal partners.
FORT BLISS, Texas – Soldiers of the Missouri Army National Guard’s 1138th Transportation Company are back on U.S. soil after arriving at Fort Bliss, Texas last night ending a 10-month convoy operations mission in Afghanistan.
WARRENSBURG, Mo. - KMOS-TV (PBS) will broadcast a half hour special program titled "We are the Guard: Always Ready, Always There" tonight at 8:30 p.m. on KMOS Channel 6.1.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Gus Nelson, of south St. Louis County, was just 11 years old when his uncle, Jim Larkin, Jr., went off to fight the Korean War nearly 62 years ago.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri's fifth Agribusiness Development Team was welcomed home by Gov. Jay Nixon, the Missouri National Guard and a room full of Family and friends at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City on Wednesday.
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. - The Missouri National Guard's 35th Infantry Division ushered in new leadership at a change of command ceremony on Saturday, April 14, at their division headquarters in Leavenworth, Kan.
LEXINGTON, Mo. - Standing in front of his unit and with his Family, Steven Carter, of Clinton, was promoted to captain with the Missouri Army National Guard on April 1.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Whether they are on the firing line in national marksmanship competitions or doing their day-to-day military mission, Missouri's Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are setting the standard for National Guardsmen across the country.
DEXTER, Mo. - Capt. Matthew Knoderer, of Cape Girardeau, is the new commander for the 1221st Transportation Company in Dexter, Sikeston and Portageville.
BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan - A Holts Summit, Mo. Army National Guardsman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during ceremonies Wednesday at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - To prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Soldiers of the 1138th Engineer Sapper Company use Virtual Battlespace 2 to create realistic route clearance scenarios and practice team building.
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - After a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, the Agribusiness Development Team V is back on U.S. soil and closer to seeing their loved ones.
NACO CORTEZ, Honduras - The Missouri Army National Guard this week took part in the U.S. Army South and host nation opening ceremonies for Beyond the Horizon 2012. Festivities took place in both Honduras and Guatemala - where Missouri Guardsmen are slated to conduct real-world missions and provide humanitarian services.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Lt. Col. Larry D. Crowder, of Jefferson City, was installed as president of the Missouri National Guard Association at the organization's 65th annual conference, which concluded Saturday at the University Plaza Convention Center.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard Public Affairs office took home honors in three categories in the public affairs awards communication competition and was an honorable mention in another.
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Staff Sgt. Jericho Ingold, who lives in St. Louis, was recently selected as the Training and Doctrine Command Noncommissioned Officer Instructor of the Year in the National Guard Bureau category. Ingold earned the award while working as an instructor for the Missouri National Guard's 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute, of Fort Leonard Wood.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In an effort to raise the physical fitness bar of new Kansas City area National Guardsmen, local leadership has stepped up and challenged its recruits.
ST. CHARLES, Mo. - If there is a match made in marketing heaven Master Sgt. Bradley Kohler believes it may be the Missouri National Guard's partnership with the Lake St. Louis-based Mixed Martial Arts Sports League.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Vietnam-era veterans were honored with medals, medallions and certificates of appreciation in an early morning ceremony at the Missouri National Guard Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group facility in Springfield.
BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan - A Festus, Mo. Army National Guardsman was awarded the Army Commendation Medal during ceremonies Wednesday at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
FORT BENNING, Ga. - Running 100 miles in 60 hours and maneuvering some of the most physically and mentally grueling objectives with minimal food and a few hours of sleep -- sound like fun?
CAMP CROWDER, Mo. - After five days of mentally and physically challenging tests, Sgt. Patrick Jennings and Spc. James Heatherly were named the best noncommissioned officer and soldier of the year.
FESTUS, Mo. - After graduating from Valley Park High School in 2004 and earning a degree in exercise science from St. Louis University, Marcella R. MacDermott decided she wanted yet another advantage in life.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - More than 50 Missouri Guard retirees attended the first muster of the State of Missouri Reserve Military Force at the Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City.
FESTUS, Mo. - Missouri National Guard Soldiers of the Festus-based 220th Engineer Company will be among hundreds of Guardsmen performing a humanitarian mission in Honduras over the next several months.
TRENTON, Mo. - After traveling more than 450,000 miles while in Afghanistan, the Missouri Army National Guard's 548th Transportation Company, based in Trenton, travelled its last deployment mission - their journey home.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A group of Missouri residents visited the Missouri National Guard headquarters at Ike Skelton Training Site in Jefferson City as a part of a program to enhance their leadership skills.
BAGRAM AIRBASE, Afghanistan - A Missouri Army National Guardsman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during ceremonies Wednesday at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - With support from the Nangarhar Agribusiness Development Team, the Afghan Ministry of Education celebrated another important milestone in their quest to provide all children in the nation equal access to a quality education.
NEVADA, Mo. - The landscape at the Missouri National Guard's Camp Clark in Nevada has changed with the demolition of more than 60 structures originally built in the 1920s. Once used as barracks, the outdated buildings were most recently used for storage.
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. - Shawn Skelton, of Jefferson City, was recently promoted from the rank of chief warrant officer 2 to chief warrant officer 3 in the Missouri Army National Guard.
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Missouri National Guard Agribusiness Development Team VI reports no fatalities or life threatening injuries following an attack on the forward operating base where they are stationed in Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province.
FORT BLISS, Texas - They are back -- almost.
After a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, the 548th Transportation Company based in Trenton is now back on U.S. soil. Though not in Missouri yet, these Road Warriors are one step closer.
NEOSHO, Mo. - In a friendly but spirited event, veteran shooters shared tips with less-experienced competitors at the Missouri National Guard's 2012 Adjutant General State Combat Match Rifle/Pistol Championships March 23-25 at Camp Crowder in Neosho.
NORTH VERNON, Ind. - A regional disaster response force of Missouri National Guardsmen is now certified as mission ready after participating in a large-scale validation exercise involving several explosions in St. Louis.
NORTH VERNON, Ind. – The region’s military Homeland Response Force has received its validation certification thanks in part to the St. Joseph-based 139th Medical Group of the Missouri Air National Guard.
FORT BENNING, Ga. – Hot on the heels of the Missouri National Guard marksmanship team placing second at ‘All Army’ matches at Fort Benning, Ga., in mid March, the Show-Me State Guard combatives team walked away with second place at the fifth annual National Guard Combatives Tournament hosted by the Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning March 18.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sidewinder, the rock band element of the St. Louis-based 571st Air National Guard Band made famous by a YouTube video, will perform at the White House next week.
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Two A-10 Thunderbolt bombers flew 16,000 feet above the Missouri Air National Guard’s Cannon Range before firing their 30 mm guns at ground targets in a planned firing exercise this week.
NORTH VERNON, Ind. – A regional disaster response force is now validated and ready for action thanks in part to the Mexico-based 1140th Military Police Company of the Missouri National Guard.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Keith Hon and Breanna New, of SEMO Imprints in Cape Girardeau, were recently presented with a Patriot Award in recognition of their extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.
RICHMOND, Mo. – They call him ‘Mr. Richmond.’ That’s how students and staff at Richmond High School refer to Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Wells of the Missouri Army National Guard.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Hundreds of people, from elementary school children to aging military veterans, were on hand Thursday at Jefferson Barracks to mark the 100th anniversary of the first parachute descent from an airplane.
WEBB CITY, Mo. – A gymnasium filled with basketball fans, football coaches and players watched as the Webb City football team picked up a National Guard trophy noting the team as one of the 50 best high school line-ups in the nation.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Citizen-Soldiers with the Missouri National Guard gained valuable training while partnering with Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield during February’s monthly drill, using state-of-the-art manikins known as “SimMan 3Gs” to sharpen their skills.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri’s adjutant general and the president of the University of Central Missouri signed a memorandum of agreement at the Ike Skelton Training Site last week.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – From his office at the Ike Skelton Training Site on the outskirts of town, Sgt. 1st Class Joe Spencer is tracking just how “green” the Missouri National Guard really is.
Building relationships with and giving back to the community is one of the strongest aspects of any Missouri National Guard Soldier. Lt. Col. Ed Gargas and Maj. Craig Gatzmeyer recently visited with members of the Jackson Optimist Club to share their stories and knowledge of the 1140th Engineer Battalion.
Luiz Goez, operations manager at Blue Chip Midwest LLC., was recently presented with a Patriot Award in recognition of his extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves.
FOREST CITY, Mo. - It has been five months since the Missouri National Guard was activated to respond to flooding along the Missouri River in the northwest portion of the state. The urgency of the flood has subsided, but the battle continues for many.
ST. LOUIS - A pair of Missouri National Guardsmen had the opportunity to meet some of their heroes while working at the 2011 World Series Oct. 20 at Busch Stadium.
Mr. Edward Farnsworth, president of the Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City, was presented a Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in recognition of extraordinary support of his employees who serve in the Missouri National Guard and Reserve.
After two weeks of sandbagging and security missions, the Missouri National Guard transitioned to a different mission – hauling much-needed water pumps to the St. John’s Bayou in New Madrid.
When the National Guard arrived in Caruthersville, a small town on the bank of the Mississippi River, they quickly learned they would not be fighting the rising waters alone.
Two members of the 7th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, of Jefferson City, are in southeast Missouri helping keep Missouri National Guard communication flowing throughout the region as part of Operation Show Me Rising Tide.
The Missouri National Guard’s 35th Combat Aviation Brigade has been conducting air missions for local communities during state emergency duty in response to historic flooding in southeast Missouri.
Two Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldiers earned the title Citizen-Heroes after being caught on videotape while completing a daring rescue of a 93-year-old woman on the swollen Black River today.
Social media is playing a role in the National Guard's flood response efforts in southeast Missouri.
Soldiers of the 70th Troop Command, who are coordinating flood response missions from a tactical operations center at Jefferson Barracks, have been monitoring facebook since Gov. Jay Nixon mobilized the National Guard on Monday.
The Missouri National Guard's adjutant general crowned the state's first-ever state Army Guard combatives champions in seven weight brackets Sunday morning during an awards ceremony at Davidson Fitness Center.
Master Sgt. Stephen Bradley is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the agriculture section deployed to Afghanistan supporting the Agri-business Development Team IV.
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