Missouri National Guard > News and Media

Missouri National Guardsmen takes his culture wherever he goes
May 14, 2021 — When Sgt. Christopher Smith, 135th Military History Detachment, Missouri Army National Guard, was a teenager growing up in Wappapello, Missouri, his dad would tell him stories about his military service during the Vietnam War. “He told me about how he made friends with people from diverse backgrounds and experienced other cultures,” said Smith. Inspired by his dad’s experiences, Smith decided he too was interested in serving. After exploring his options, he decided that the Army National Guard was the right fit. Smith chose the Guard so he could stay close to home and continue his education. This was important for Smith since his dad was living alone after his mom had recently died, and was beginning to have health complications. ... MORE

Mother, daughter Airmen join in fight against COVID
April 14, 2021 — In addition to assisting with vaccinations across the state, the Missouri National Guard has also been providing assistance at food banks. Senior Airman Terra Waitl is from the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s material management office and she was activated for food bank missions in May last year... MORE

Chief Settle Sets Example for What Women Can Achieve
March 17, 2021 — When she explored joining the Air Force, Jessica Settle hit a road block. Her recruiter did not support women in the Air Force so Settle stopped pursuing entry. That was until a female recruiter, then Master Sgt. Judy DeVu, showed the effect a good senior noncommissioned officer can have. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Settle. ... MORE

Targeted Vaccination Teams bring partnership, success
February 26, 2021 — Missouri National Guard Sgt. Joshua Roth recently was in the right place at the right time because of his assignment with the Missouri National Guard Targeted Vaccination Teams (TVT) working in St. Louis and Kansas City. The teams have been mobilized to assist with COVID-19 vaccinations. Roth, a member of 935th Aviation Support Battalion, had just set up a for vaccination event at Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis when two seniors became trapped in an elevator. Roth, an emergency medical technician and firefighter in his civilian role, put his training to work. ... MORE

Missouri National Guard Airmen Defines Her Legacy Through Authenticity
February 25, 2021 — Although the pathway to medicine is well defined, Chief Master Sgt. Carla Hampton, Superintendent of the 131st Medical Group, Missouri Air National Guard, took her passion for science and helping people down a path she could not have predicted. The only people Hampton knew with any military background were her two uncles, but they didn’t really talk about their experiences. It wasn’t until she joined her high school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) that she was given a window into what military life was like... MORE

Missouri Guard assists Department of Health and Senior Services with ShowMeVax
January 27, 2021 — The Missouri National Guard continues to assist the state’s COVID-19 efforts by helping with Missouri’s ShowMeVax program... MORE

Civil Support Teams Lead the Way
December 15, 2020 — Imagine you’re watching a movie in which police officers chase a suspect into a building. They clear one room after another, ensuring nobody threatens them while they apprehend the fugitive. A small chemical lab is in one room they enter, and it could explode if touched, the effect of which could be devastating... MORE

Civil Support Teams Compete in Missouri
December 15, 2020 — The Missouri National Guard Civil Support Team (CST), Kansas National Guard CST, Oklahoma National Guard CST and Indiana National Guard CST participated in a competition Oct. 25-29 at the Jefferson City Fire Department Training Site, the Central Missouri Events Center and the Missouri National Guard Armory in Columbia, Mo... MORE

Investigation: Deployed
December 4, 2020 — “Most of my time in the National Guard has been amazing and I do not regret a thing,” said Spc. Alexandria Cochran, a Military Police Investigator with the 1139th Military Police Company, about her life in the Guard. She has been in the service four years now and was working in Recruiting and Retention for the National Guard on Active Duty Operations Support (ADOS) orders prior to deployment. While this is her first deployment overseas, she has also reported for state emergency when called up by the Governor... MORE

Fighting Warrior Woman: Powwows, Beads, and Information
October 30, 2020 — “Hearing the drum and watching the dancers is awesome, something inside of me comes to life and gives me a happy energy.” This is how Missouri Air National Guard Master Sgt. Mary Lohnes describes participating in tribal ceremonies. Though her legal name is Mary, where she is from this is not how she is known. “At home I go by the name Kristy, short for Kristine, my middle name,” said Lohnes. When she returned from her last deployment, her MiSunkaNah Hunka, or adopted brother, gave her the name Akicita Okichize Win, which means “Fighting Warrior Woman.” Much like her name, there is a lot you can learn about Lohnes. ... MORE