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From Frozen Foxholes to Lasting Bonds: Nebraska Guard in Bastogne
February 27, 2025 — BASTOGNE, Belgium – On January 9, 2025, a group of five Nebraska National Guard members embarked on a journey to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and honor the legacy of their predecessors who fought there. Their visit included a series of ceremonies, tours and interactions with the local community, solidifying the bond between the United States and Belgium. The Nebraska National Guard's visit culminated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the 35th Infantry Division monument in Lutremange, a monument dedicated to the American Soldiers who liberated the region from Nazi Germany. Standing alongside Belgian officials and veterans, the Guard members paid tribute to the sacrifices of their predecessors whose names are etched into history...

AIR NATIONAL GUARD SPOUSE OF THE YEAR: NEBRASKA’S CARA LOKEN RECOGNIZED FOR SELFLESS SERVICE, DEDICATION
February 20, 2025 — LINCOLN, Neb. -- Cara Loken, reserve component transition assistance advisor for the Nebraska National Guard, has been named the 2024 Air Force Association Air National Guard Spouse of the Year. This prestigious Air Force Association award highlights the exceptional contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses and recognizes the invaluable support of non-military spouses who help Air Force personnel maintain their focus on the mission. To be eligible, a person must be married to a service member of the Air Force—whether on Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve. Cara, who has supported Nebraska National Guard families and service members for more than 25 years, is married to John Loken, who currently serves as the commander of 155th Maintenance Group...

New Air Guard Maintenance Support Squadron conducts first change of command ceremony
February 13, 2025 — OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – One of the newest units in the Air National Guard saw its first changing of the guards take place, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, when Maj. Jordan Jacobs assumed command of the 170th Maintenance Support Squadron from the unit’s first commander, Lt. Col. Samuel Schneider. Schneider had served as commander of the unique Nebraska Air National Guard maintenance squadron since it first stood up at Offutt Air Force Base in April 2022...

As Nebraska Air Guard state command chief master sergeant retires, family legacy remains
February 13, 2025 — LINCOLN, Neb. – They say that the “Guard is Family.” For the Nebraska Air National Guard’s retiring state command chief master sergeant, that statement is more than just words; it’s way of life. Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Horne has spent more than 40 years in military uniform, having served at the Nebraska National Guard air base in Lincoln since his enlistment in 1985. However, while Horne’s time in the military came to an end on Feb. 1, his name will remain an integral part of the base community for years to come. That’s because three of Horne’s four children are currently serving in the Nebraska Air National Guard, continuing a family legacy of service to state and nation. “It definitely helps with my transition,” said Horne, “because I know my kids are still in and I can keep in touch that way.” ...

Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Horne Retires After 40 Years
February 6, 2025 — After a career marked by a never-ending care for others and fostering valuable relationships with other organizations, states and countries, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Horne officially retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard on Feb. 1, 2025, after a memorable 40-year military career. “It’s been an incredible journey; what I found over these decades are far more than a career, I found family,” said Horne, who last served as the eighth Nebraska Air National Guard command chief master sergeant. “From the very beginning I was surrounded by individuals who inspired me and supported me in ways I’ll never forget. There are some defining moments in my career where if that one person didn’t give me a chance, then I might not be where I’m at today and that was what I had throughout my whole career.” During Horne’s retirement ceremony – held at the Nebraska National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters with hundreds in attendance -- the resounding theme was how much Horne cared for the Airmen around him and how thankful he was for those who invested in his development and career. ...

Echoes of Valor: Nebraska National Guard Returns to Bastogne 80 Years Later
January 2, 2025 — BASTOGNE, Belgium -- The Battle of Bastogne, a pivotal World War II clash that took place in the frigid Ardennes Forest in December 1944, is etched into military history lore. In a historic battle of wills, German forces fought for control of the strategic city of Bastogne, which was defended by U.S. Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division who had been cutoff and surrounded during Germany’s final major offensive. It was a battle that captured the attention of the entire world. Far less known, however, is the role that Soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard’s 134th Infantry Regiment played during the critical days of the battle. Battling against deep snow, frigid temperatures and near-constant German counterattacks, the efforts of the 134th Infantry Regiment Soldiers helped raise the siege of Bastogne, allowing relief to flow into the devastated city and its airborne defenders. Eighty years later and a few degrees warmer, a new generation of Nebraska National Guard troops returned to Bastogne to honor the legacy of their predecessors and commemorate the anniversary of this hard-fought victory. ...

Nebraska National Guard sniper team wins national championship at Winston P Wilson Matches
January 2, 2025 — A two-person Nebraska Army National Guard sniper team shot their way to a national title, Dec. 13, when they placed first at the 54th Winston P. Wilson Sniper Championship, held Dec. 6-13 at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center in Barling Arkansas. In winning the title, Nebraska’s Staff Sgt. Marc Cruz and Sgt. Chance Baumann – infantrymen who serve in the sniper section of the Lincoln-based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-134th Infantry (Airborne) – outshot similar teams from the Michigan and Iowa National Guard enroute to the championship...

Former Nebraska National Guard Soldier donates Olympic Gold Medal winning rifle to Nebraska National Guard Museum
January 2, 2025 — Like an aged warrior, Gary Anderson’s famed rifle is showing its age; the rifle stock, barrel and accompanying sights still bear the scars and marks of countless competitive battles, including a very historic one in Tokyo more than 60 years ago. Masking tape holds bent cardboard in place on the rear of the wooden stock. Similar tape clings to a silver front palm-rest where its “owner” steadied the rifle during its last competition with an athlete representing the U.S.S.R. In its totality, the rifle is understated, both gangly and elegant in appearance. Yet, despite its looks, the rifle holds an honored place amongst American Olympic lore. And now it’s part of the growing collection of artifacts at the Nebraska National Guard Museum in Seward, Nebraska. “This rifle served me well during the years that I used it,” former Nebraska Army National Guard Lieutenant Gary Anderson wrote recently about the Remington 300-meter free rifle he donated to the Nebraska Guard Museum on Dec. 27. Did it ever. In 1962, Anderson used the rifle to lead the U.S.A. marksmanship team to two 300-meter World Championship Gold Medals. He also used it to win a gold medal in the 1963 Pan American Games in the 300-Meter (3x40) free rifle event with a score of 1,146, just one point shy of the world record at the time...

Tontegode Assumes Reponsibility as Nebraska Air National Guard’s Ninth State Command Chief Master Sergeant
January 2, 2025 — Chief Master Sgt. Scott Tontegode became the Nebraska Air National Guard’s state’s ninth state command chief master sergeant, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, when he assumed the role from Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Horne during a change of responsibility at the Joint Force Headquarters...

Nebraska leaders celebrate National Guard’s 388th Birthday
December 17, 2024 — Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Richard Burch, and many others helped the National Guard celebrate its 388th birthday, on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, during a ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska. The ceremony included speeches, a state rollcall of Nebraska National Guard communities, the awarding of the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award to a Capt. Grant Hewitt, Soldier and Airmen of the Year recognitions, and the ceremonial cutting of the National Guard birthday cake...

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Video by Staff Sgt. Gauret Stearns

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Nebraska TAG Announces DEOC Survey

Joint Force Headquarters - Nebraska National Guard

July 14, 2026 | 1:00

Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Adjutant General for the Nebraska National Guard, announces the 2026 Defense Organizational Climate Survey, July 14, 2025, at the Nebraska National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Lincoln, Nebraska. The DEOC Survey was designed for service members to provide anonymous feedback to leadership about the health of the unit and identify areas of improvement. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Gauret Stearns)