News 6 Mashup: March 7, 2022

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of March 7, 2022, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Ways to Help

Typically we keep the news positive around here. But there’s no denying the heaviness felt throughout the world and close to home in our military communities as we watched Russia invade Ukraine. The NATO Response Force deployed for the first time ever. And by the time this runs, things will have changed undoubtedly many more times. Because we don’t do breaking news around here, I’m going to skip reporting on what will likely change. In the meantime, if you feel compelled to help Ukraine in some way, NPR has a list with organizations that are already at work.

Additionally, if your head is spinning or you’re feeling off balance, we’re here for you. Send us a message via any of social media accounts. Email us at info@armywifenetwork.com. Comment on our posts. Read up on deployment here. We’ve been there. We’re still there. And we’re here for you. You do not have to feel alone in this, because you’re not alone.

Fort Riley Armored Brigade Combat Team Extended in Poland

“The 1st Armored brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division based out of Fort Riley, Kansas, has had their nine-month rotation to Poland extended” for an unknown amount of time reported Stars & Stripes.

“While we don’t have a timeline for that extension, it will only be for as long as they are needed,” U.S. Army Europe and Africa said. Additional troops have been sent to Europe to bolster NATO support, “reassure allies, and send a signal of American resolve to Moscow.”

Army National Guard Demand Finally Slows

The demand for activated Army National Guard soldiers is decreasing after a two-year high, reported Federal News Network. Throughout the pandemic, between 15,000 and 16,000 soldiers were placed on Title 32 status to directly support COVID-19 missions. Additionally, the National Guard was tapped to help with “overseas deployments, civil unrest, natural disasters, and protecting the Capitol building after it was attacked by supporters of former President Donald Trump,” said Federal News Network. The National Guard says their next challenge will be retaining their force. 

“When I was a young major, you stuck around for that promotion to lieutenant colonel with the hope that maybe you might be a battalion commander,” said Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard. “ … They’re at that point in their life where their kids are at that age where they’re very active in school and extracurricular activities. They’re at that point of their civilian career where their civilian employer is beginning to ask more and more of them, and we understand that competition.”

This Week in History

Black History Month has wrapped up, but I wanted to extend the celebration with a nod to the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The Raptor Brigade, as it is nicknamed, posted a series of four “color re-creations of old black-and-white photos,” reported Stars & Stripes. The photos were placed side by side to honor and celebrate the impact that people of color had on today’s military. In one compilation, a black-and-white photo features Lt. Col. Marcella A. Haynes Ng  in the foreground with a helicopter behind her. She was the first Black woman in the U.S. military to receive aviator wings. The color photo features Cpl. Kayla Noyles of the 16th CAB, mirroring the original photo.  

“People like Marcella Hayes inspire and motivate me to keep going because they make me realize the sky is the limit,” Noyles was quoted in a tweet. Explore the full series at the Raptor Brigade on Twitter.

Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash