CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan - Sgt. Cody Harbst

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan - Sgt. Cody Harbst poses for a photo July 16 at Ie Shima Training Facility. The Crash Fire Rescue Marines rushed to the aid of Ie Village Firefighters when they needed assistance extinguishing a farm fire. The Ie Village Mayor, Hideyuki Shimabukuro, personally thanked the Marines for their efforts at the farm. Harbst, a Candor, New York, native, is an aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. (Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Christine Bald

Firefighter promoted to brigadier general in Missouri Army National Guard

Brig. Gen. Sharon A. Martin, assistant adjutant general - Army, delivers her first remarks after being ceremoniously promoted to brigadier general in the Missouri Army National Guard, in Kansas City, Mo., July 14, 2018. In addition to her National Guard service, Martin serves as a fire apparatus operator and emergency medical technician with the Kansas City Fire Department.

KANSAS CITY, MO, UNITED STATES
07.14.2018
Story by 2nd Lt. Molly Talmadge
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs Office 
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, the adjutant general of Missouri, presided over the promotion and ceremonial pinning of Col. Sharon A. Martin, assistant adjutant general-Army, to the rank of brigadier general in the Missouri Army National Guard, on Saturday, July 14, in Kansas City, Mo.

Family, friends, civilian colleagues and many members of the Missouri Army National Guard were in attendance to honor Martin’s career milestone. Danner highlighted Martin’s performance and the outlook for the future of the Missouri Army National Guard with the newly promoted assistant adjutant general.

“No one gets to this pinnacle without hard work, dedication, and knowledge of what they are doing,” Danner said. “As assistant adjutant general, I look forward to working with Brig. Gen. Martin in the future as we continue to shape our National Guard.”

Martin’s goals include: ensuring the organization is inclusive and promotes a safe and health work environment for all to succeed, and guiding and mentoring Guard soldiers to effectively perform their state and federal missions in an ever-changing environment.

As a trailblazer in the Missouri Army National Guard, is the first female to hold her position as assistant adjutant general, Martin provided career advice to young Soldiers in the service.

“Do the things that are in your control, military and civilian education, meet and exceed the Army standards, be a good role model and mentor, but most importantly worry about the job you have now and be the best at it,” Martin said. “Be the best at whatever you are doing, take care of you Soldiers that work under you and build a good team.”

In her civilian capacity, Martin serves as a fire apparatus operator and emergency medical technician with the Kansas City Fire Department.

“The Kansas City Fire Department has been extremely gracious when it comes to my military positions over the years,” Martin said. “In my nearly 23 years as a firefighter working for the city of Kansas City, it has provided me great experience working with public safety, understanding the emergency response and working with the public. It is truly challenging to balance both careers, and I could not do it without their support.”

A graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Martin began her career as an enlisted soldier, serving as a combat medic, and has more than 27 years of military service, including command of the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in the Kansas City area, and has deployed in support of overseas contingency operations.

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Colo. National Guard members return to base after securing communities during Spring Fire

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer | U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Colorado National Guard members provide roving security patrols to assist with the enforcement of road closures July 4, 2018, through Huerfano County, Colorado. The Soldiers safeguarded travelers and protected homes threatened by the Spring fire. The team arrived July 2. The CONG has supported the Spring Fire since July 1, 2018, providing capabilities to include: security personnel for traffic control points and roving patrols; two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews and aircraft each equipped with aerial water buckets; geological information system operators; as well as, refueling crews with Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical refueling trucks and firefighters with HEMTT firefighting vehicles. The CONG has been providing an aviation search and rescue standby capability in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center since July 1. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, is supporting the mission which is rapid response to aviation search and rescue missions, primarily for firefighter safety, in support of multiple wildfire responses throughout Colorado. On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer) 

CENTENNIAL, CO, UNITED STATES
07.16.2018
Courtesy Story
Colorado National Guard 

The Spring Fire incident commander released the remaining 30 Colorado National Guard members, who helped local law enforcement protect residents and property and evacuate communities during the Spring Fire, one of the largest wildfires in Colorado history.

During the fire, nearly 100 Soldiers and Airmen provided traffic control points, evacuated-area escort, and roving patrols in Huerfano and Costilla counties.

“I’m proud of the professionalism of our security personnel,” Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White, the commander of Joint Task Force – Centennial, said. “The state’s ability to use Colorado National Guard members to support local law enforcement in safeguarding our communities proved pivotal during this emergency.”

Participating units included the 193rd Military Police Battalion and 220th Military Police Company, both based in Denver, the 188th Forward Support Company, based in Pueblo, and the 140th Security Forces Squadron, based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora.

The first of the teams arrived July 2, 2018, and conducted security missions through July 11, with the follow-on teams serving from July 3-13. CONG members alleviated certain police and sheriff requirements so that civilian law enforcement personnel could focus on crime and higher level enforcement matters.

The Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office deputized CONG members assigned to military police and security force units July 4.

The CONG continue to support all the wildfires in Colorado by providing standby search and rescue capabilities to the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center through the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colorado.

On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force – Centennial, led by Brig. Gen. White, commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage.

For information about CONG support to the Spring Fire, go to: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Springfire, www.Twitter.com/SpringFire2018, www.Facebook.com/SpringFire2018

For the Colorado National Guard, visit www.co.ng.mil, Twitter @CONG1860, or Facebook @CONG1860.
Also follow #SpringFire #SpringCreekFire and #cofire.

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Lance Cpl. Erick

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Lance Cpl. Erick Riverabroco poses for a photo July 16 at Ie Shima Training Facility. The Crash Fire Rescue Marines rushed to the aid of Ie Village Firefighters when they needed assistance extinguishing a farm fire. The Ie Village Mayor, Hideyuki Shimabukuro, personally thanked the Marines for their efforts at the farm. Johnson is a Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, native, is an aircraft rescues and firefighting specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. (Photo courtesy of 1st Lt. Christine Baldridge)

Coast Guard responds to downed aircraft in Crillon Lake, Alaska

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew locates a downed aircraft inverted in Crillon Lake, in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, July 18, 2018. The National Park Service requested Coast Guard assistance in locating the pilot of the aircraft, who was found and hoisted from a Crillon Lakeshore with minor injuries. U.S. Coast Guard courtesy photo.