Minnesota National Guard News

Minn. National Guard helping to fight wildfire

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:12:00 CST

Published 1:22 pm, Wednesday, May 15, 2013 MENAHGA, Minn. (AP) - Crews from the Minnesota National Guard are helping to suppress a wildfire near the northwestern Minnesota town of Menahga. Army Maj. Bruce A. Kraemer says 22 soldiers are on active duty Wednesday to help fight the fire, including air crews and support teams.

Minn. National Guard launches its $3.9 million drone facility

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:10:00 CST

By Pat Pheifer The (Minneapolis, Minn.) Star Tribune Published: May 18, 2013 CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. -- The Shadow, an unmanned aerial vehicle commonly known as a drone, roars to life on the video screen like a powerful snowmobile before it's launched into the skies on a catapult. Unfortunately, weather conditions prevented the real thing from taking flight Friday morning as the Minnesota National Guard officially launched its new $3.9 million Unmanned Aircraft Operations Facility.

Operation Agriculture: Minnesota Guard assists Afghan farmers

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:08:00 CST

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.

Minnesota Guard conducts water workshop with Croatian partners

Thu, 09 May 2013 10:10:00 CST

Last week, field water experts from the Minnesota Army National Guard and U.S. European Command traveled to Zagreb, Croatia to conduct a Field Water Treatment Workshop with partners from the Croatian Armed Forces from May 7-9, 2013. The visit was very timely well timed as Croatia anticipates being fully operational within NATO's Capability of field water treatment by January 2017, and is currently in the process of developing a field water team. They were therefore very interested in information provided by their state partners, Minnesota, and EUCOM. During the two-and-a-half day workshop, the US field water experts shared expertise with their Croatian counterparts on a spectrum of topics including reconnaissance, water source selection, environmental health, NATO water quality standards, technologies, planning, maintenance and other considerations.

Anderson: A way for veterans to get out and hunt

Sun, 05 May 2013 12:15:00 CST

A turkey hunt is one of various sporting outings held annually at Camp Ripley for veterans and active service members. CAMP RIPLEY - Great things happen every day in this country, sometimes in not-so-obvious places. In a blind on this expansive military training center on a recent early morning, Samantha "Sam" Hunter issued hen turkey yelps to what she hoped was a love-struck gobbler perched in a near-distant tree.

For veterans, art a chance for much-needed release

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 09:11:00 CST

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- An art exhibit opening Friday in Minneapolis is the culmination of more than two years of teaching military veterans to express themselves through art and resolve difficult emotions stemming from past conflict or trauma. Eighteen veterans will have pieces in the mixed media show that includes painting, photography, ceramics, metalwork, sculpture, prints, glass and collage work.