The mission accomplished by 1-194 during their deployment was a historic feat, which was vital to the drawdown of U.S. Soldiers and equipment from Iraq. They worked around the clock day after day to keep travel routes safe.
Sgt. Chad Swenson from Elk River, Minn., was a gunner on one of many convoy escort teams the 1-194 provided. For miles through the dark, hours at a time, Sgt. Swenson provided constant security as his convoy traveled over the highways of Iraq.
"It was ending a war. It means a lot in general just to bring everybody home,"¯ Swenson said, describing his feelings about the 1-194's mission.
During a ceremony held at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, Maj. Tadd Vanyo and Sgt. Maj. John Lepoqski put away the battalion colors. 1-194 closed an important chapter in their history as the command team prepared the battalion colors for the journey back home.
The 1-94 CAV wrapped up their mission in Kuwait with a casing ceremony Apr 3 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Col. Eddie Frizell, 1-94 CAV commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Essig, the command team of 1-94 CAV, cased the colors as Soldiers and leaders of the 1-94 CAV looked on.
During the withdrawal of troops and equipment from Iraq, the 1-94 CAV performed convoy escort missions and traveled over one million miles.
"To see that the war is over is an amazing thing to be a part of,"¯said Maj. Mark Lappegaard, 1-94 CAV executive officer. "Having everybody come back safe and seeing that all these Soldiers get to go back home is a great thing."¯
The largest deployment of the National Guard Red Bulls since World War II, the 1/34th helped complete the largest logistical drawdown in history, and continued to honor the Red Bull legacy.
Once the wheels are up with Kuwait to the rear, the first stop on the way home will be at Camp Shelby, Miss. There, each Soldier will spend some time going through medical and dental exams, while also ensuring all paperwork has been successfully completed. However, the time spent at Camp Shelby will be short and Soldiers will be ever closer to returning home to Minnesota.
April 10, 2012
Story and photos by Pfc. Linsey Williams
1/34th BCT Public Affairs
Posted: 2013-05-15 08:08 AM
Agricultural Development Teams deploy farming experts to help rebuild Afghanistan's war torn food system.
When most National Guard units prepare to deploy to Afghanistan, they focus on tactical training--land navigation, weapons skills, working with interpreters, counter-IED techniques, basic first aid.
But Colonel Eric Ahlness, commander of the Minnesota National Guard's Zabul Agribusiness Development Team, or ADT, brought his unit to an Amish farm.
Posted: 2013-05-15 06:08 AM
Today is a day to recognize the sacrifice and service of our nation's civilian police force. Since 1962, when President John F. Kennedy signed the proclamation declaring May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day, the week surrounding the 15th has become better known as "police week."
The Minnesota National Guard is honored to have several members on its force that serve, or have served as both military police and civilian police officers. Their binary roles serve as a prime example of how the Guard strives to maintain the right mix of people and equip units with an optimal force structure.
Posted: 2013-05-10 12:00 AM
For Soldiers and Airmen in the Minnesota National Guard, balancing military life with civilian life can bring on its own set of challenges and experiences. Operation Synergy aims to help Service members from all branches to empower themselves to manifest their own reality, instead of letting complacency dictate their life.
With training demands, drill weekends, deployments and daily mission requirements, it's important for Service members to be proactive, rather than reactive. By bringing in speakers from various companies, organizations and backgrounds, Operation Synergy unites Service members through education and growth.
Agricultural Development Teams deploy farming experts to help rebuild Afghanistan's war torn food system.
Today is a day to recognize the sacrifice and service of our nation's civilian police force. Since 1962, when 
For Soldiers and Airmen in the Minnesota National Guard, balancing military life with civilian life can bring on its own set of challenges and experiences. Operation Synergy aims to help Service members from all branches to empower themselves to manifest their own reality, instead of letting complacency dictate their life.