Missouri National Guard > News and Media

Partners in Progress
May 10, 2022 — 35th Military Police Brigade provides Crime Scene Investigation subject matter expert team to Panama for exchange event with members of Panama's law enforcement and protection agencies under the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program... MORE

Air Force leads a new era in air component training through BLUE FLAG exercises
April 26, 2022 — Airmen from the 505th Combat Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, executed exercise BLUE FLAG, which tested Pacific Air Forces’ ability to prevail in conflict against a strategic competitor as well as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command air component’s ability to defend against escalating cyberspace attacks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Apr. 4-8... MORE

graphic of BLUE FLAG exercise with emblems of BLUE FLAG, INDOPACOM AND PACAF on a blue background.

From Private First Class to Brigadier General, a career built on grit and determination
March 9, 2022 — Brigadier General Sharon Martin, Assistant Adjutant General - Army, Missouri Army National Guard (MOARNG), recalls a recent story when she visited a transportation company conducting Operation Patriot Press. She was visiting Soldiers with a general officer from the Army Materiel Command (AMC). Martin became curious when they approached a Soldier inspecting the underbelly of a big truck. "So, I crawled under the truck and asked the troop, ‘Well, what are you looking for?’” said Martin... MORE

Strength in Heritage: Shaping the Future through Strong Values
October 8, 2021 — Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Acosta, Missouri Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, grew up far from his current Missouri residence. He spent much of his youth on the border between Texas and New Mexico, near El Paso, playing in the desert mountains. He also assisted his father with animal husbandry, for the dean of New Mexico State University. “My Hispanic heritage is very important to me,” said Acosta. “I take pride in the positives associated with my heritage, characteristics such as hardworking, family-oriented and strong loyalty.” ... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Javier Acosta and Brig. Gen. Charles Hausman on helicopter flight while deployed to Iraq in 2019.

Naturalized in the National Guard: Soldier honors past while looking towards her future
September 17, 2021 — When 2nd Lt. Juliette Sondano, 205th Military Police Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, was a young girl, she knew little about the world outside her small community, but she knew there had to be more, and she was going to find it. “I always had the most unreasonable dreams,” said Sondano. “If you look where I came from, you would never have guessed I’d be where I am today.” Sondano grew up in rural Kenya. Growing up was a challenge. Her tribe “Kamba” is one of the least influential tribes in all of Kenya. The daily struggle of poverty forced Sondano to grow up very fast. Every day she would spend hours collecting water and firewood for cooking. On top of that, she had to walk three hours a day just to get to school. There were no cars or roads. ... MORE

Missouri Army National Guard Welcomes its First Female Chaplain
July 23, 2021 — For 246 years, chaplains have provided religious services, counseling, and moral support to the armed forces, in peacetime or at war. This mission has remained unchanged since the Chaplain Corps was founded in 1775. On July 3, 2021, Capt. Cassandra Schwartz became the first female chaplain to ever serve in the Missouri National Guard. Her journey to this day was not immediate. ... MORE

Cpt. Cassandra Schwartz becomes the first Missouri National Guard Female Chaplain on July 07, 2021 at ISTS in Jefferson City, Missouri.

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

Smith is pinned the rank of Sergeant by his commanding officer

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

Senior Airman Terra Waitl, who is assigned to the 139th Logistics Readiness Squadron’s material management office, Missouri Air National Guard, has been assisting at food banks in and around St. Joseph. The effort is part of Missouri’s COVID-19 response.

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

Official Air Force photo for Chief Master Sgt. Jessica Settle. Settle is the command chief master sergeant for the 131st Bomb Wing, Missouri Air National Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. John E. Hillier)

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 Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeremy Brown, 1107th TASMG, being interviewed by Emma Hogg of KMOV at a targeted vaccination team site in St. Louis on February 24, 2021.