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Airmen with the New Jersey Air National Guard stand in formation in front of a KC-46 Pegasus at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. |
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NJ Air National Guard |
140th Cyber Operations Squadron
The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Wing is doing the impossible every day. Open any news article today and it is apparent that our Soldiers and Airmen are performing missions in a rapidly changing world. Our dedicated teams serve in a constantly evolving security environment that presents both new opportunities and new threats to the national security of the United States. Like others across our formations, the Airmen of the 140th Cyber Operations Squadron are meeting these challenges head on.
I am so proud of their efforts over a recent six-month mobilization. While much of their service occurs behind the scenes, or in this case behind screens, their success is a testament to changes across the Army and Air Force that enable the security of the United States within the cyberspace domain.
In just six months, the team completed nine defensive cyber operations missions across six U.S. Department of Defense and North Atlantic Treaty Organization locations. They supported four combatant commands and successfully met a 24-hour deadline to support a quick reaction, emergent task. They maintained more than 2,000+ hours of weapon system “uptime” and “hunt” operations, leading to the identification of over 18,000 cyber vulnerabilities for remediation.
170th Air Refueling Squadron
Beyond cyberspace, the 108th Wing recently activated the brand new 170th Air Refueling Squadron. Located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the squadron’s mission is to conduct aerial refueling operations in association with their active duty counterparts in the 305th Air Mobility Wing. Working together, these Airmen will support the operation of the KC-46 Pegasus tankers.
New Jersey StrongThe service of these Airmen could not be possible without the support of their family members, employers, and communities at large. This continued commitment to those who wear the uniform is a reflection of the respect and pride shown to Service Members by our big New Jersey family.
I am so proud of the work the New Jersey Air National Guard is doing to support the priorities of people, readiness, modernization, and organizational development and reform. The future is now. New Jersey Airmen are at the forefront, leading the way. |
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Thank you, as always, for your interest in DMAVA.
We invite you to share ideas, events and feedback. Please email our team at outreach@dmava.nj.gov.
Major General Lisa J. Hou, D.O. The Adjutant General & Commissioner |
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Multiple Dates and LocationsFree Eight-Hour Training Sessions
Mental Health First Aid Training
Learn How to Support Veterans
Intended for community organizations that interact with Service Members, Veterans, and their families at the local level, but is open for all interested participants.
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DMAVA is sponsoring or will participate in the events below. A DMAVA Veterans Service Officer will be present at many of these events. Please check details to confirm. |
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We add new events to our calendar on a daily basis so please bookmark and check back often. |
| View Full Calendar |
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 | NJANG cyber squadron honors support agencies post mobilization
Donna Jeffries | 108th Wing | March 9, 2024
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - More than 44 members of the 856th Cyber Protection Team and 140th Cyber Operations Squadron, here, ended their six-month mobilization with an award ceremony held at the theater on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024. The ceremony honored the support team that helped them prepare and sustain their call to duty as well as announce the unit's second quarter award winners.
Seventeen individuals were recognized, with the top five being highlighted for going "above and beyond, helping us through challenges and roadblocks that we would not have been able to come through without their unwavering support," said Senior Master Sgt. DeGuzman, noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 856 CPT and ceremony narrator.
The areas of support covered pay, mobilization funding, vehicle support, morale, and pre deployment in-processing, logistics, lodging and a host of other items.
With the support squared away, the cyber team was free to carry out its mission with minimal issues, allowing them to do what they trained for and what they do best. Read Full Story |
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170th Air Refueling Squadron ActivatedNJ National Guard | 108th Wing | March 9, 2024
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Wing unveiled its newest unit yesterday, with the inauguration of the 170th Air Refueling Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
Guided by the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the unit’s nearly 60 Citizen Airmen will perform aerial refueling missions in association with the 305th Air Mobility Wing. Through this arrangement, the 170th Air Refueling Squadron will provide aircrew to help operate the KC-46 Pegasus tankers.
“These are exciting times,” said Col. Eric A. Guttormsen, 108th Wing commander. “I have no doubt our Airmen will serve with character and a great sense of purpose, establishing strong foundations and supporting our forces’ global mobility with excellence.”
Read Full Story |
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 | TAG Visit
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General, New Jersey National Guard, meets with Soldiers of Delta Co.,1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, as they certify on the Mobile, Low, Slow, Small-unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS), at Fort Bliss, TX, March 2, 2024.
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 | Live Fire Exercise
Soldiers of Bravo Co., 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, and 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard, combined for day and night live fire exercises with AH-64 Apache helicopter support from the 1-501st Attack and Reconnaissance Battalion, at Fort Bliss, TX, February 28-29, 2024.
The exercise was part of a combined arms live fire exercise as the 44th IBCT prepares for deployment in support of U.S. Central Command's Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. View Images |
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Live Fire ExerciseSoldiers of Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, conducted a combined arms live fire exercise at Fort Bliss, TX, March 1, 2024.
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Join Our Team |
100% Free College Tuition
Bonuses up to $20,000
Student Loan Repayment |
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The February 2024 edition of the Veterans Journal is now available. |
| Get New Edition |
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 | Centenarian Celebration |
Marie DeMartine, resident of the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus is one of the 10 residents at the Home who recently marked their 100th, and in one case, 105th birthday on February 29, 2024.
During World War II, DeMartine worked for Ryan Aeronautical in California building airplanes for the war effort.
The four men and six women each received a signed letter and coin from Maj. Gen. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., The Adjutant General of New Jersey, as well as certificates of commendation from Bergen County and the Bergen County Board of Commissioners. View Images |
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 | State Medal Ceremony |
The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a State Medal Ceremony at the Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters in New Brunswick, NJ on March 8, 2024. View Images |
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American Legion Visit |
The Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park was pleased to welcome American Legion Department of New Jersey officers, led by State Commander Larry Bishop, for a visit with residents and staff. |
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SMS Alerts - Text "NJVets" to 78015Opt-in now to receive SMS Alerts from DMAVA! Text "NJVets" to 78015 or scan the QR code above and send. You will be immediately opted-in to receive alerts and important messages from the Division of Veterans Services.
This service is provided free of charge, however, carrier messaging and data rates may apply. To opt-out at any time, simply reply “Stop”. |
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 | 2024 Beach Parking Passes
The beach parking lot at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt will be open between the hours of 0900 and 1900 during the period of May 25, 2024 through September 7, 2024.
Refer to the 2024 Beach Parking Pass Policy for eligibility and the steps to request a parking pass at NGTC MWR. |
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 | Militia Museum
Prime Time Center of Eatontown visited the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey in Sea Girt.
It was a fun, enthusiastic group who tried on helmets, soldier backpacks, and uniform items, as well as avidly looked for clues to the Museum's scavenger hunt.
Thanks for visiting. Come back soon! |
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Soldier & Family Readiness Team |
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In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran health care, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service - at home or abroad - will be eligible for VA health care beginning March 5 VA News | February 26, 2024
WASHINGTON - Today, VA announced that all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military - at home or abroad - will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care beginning March 5, 2024. This means that all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.
As directed by President Biden, this expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act — meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. This is a critical step forward because Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. Additionally, VA health care is often more affordable than non-VA health care for Veterans.
VA encourages all eligible Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care beginning March 5. Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law on August 10, 2022, more than 500,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care.
Read Full News Release |
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Millions of Veterans now eligible for VA health careIn this episode, theSITREP covers the new change for VA benefits that will affect millions of Veterans.
theSITREP Podcast |
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Green Sands: The Evolution of Counter-UAS TrainingSGT Racquel Birk | US Army | March 8, 2024
MCGREGOR RANGE COMPLEX, New Mexico – Unmanned aerial system attacks are an emerging threat United States Army Central seeks to counter in its two-part Green Sands training initiative. Green Sands “CONUS,” or Continental United States, held stateside here Feb. 9 - Mar. 5, builds the foundation of Base Defense Operation Centers. The second phase of BDOC crew training, Green Sands “Heavy,” is held at the ARCENT Training and Readiness Center overseas to prepare crews for Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority at their various outstations in Iraq and Syria.
“Enemy UAS threaten our Soldiers, service members and our partners in the CENTCOM AOR [United States Central Command area of responsibility],” said Lt. Gen Patrick D. Frank, USARCENT commanding general. “For the last nine months, USARCENT has implemented CENTCOM’s Green Sands Counter-UAS training initiative by preparing Base Defense Operations Centers throughout the theater through dynamic threat UAS scenarios, multiple iterations, and live fire training.”
The 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, New Jersey Army National Guard, will complete both iterations of training prior to assuming the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve force protection mission in Iraq and Syria, Spring 2024.
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State Partnership Directors Share Tips on Adriatic PartnershipsLt. Col. Agneta Murnan | NJ National Guard | February 28, 2024
ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. - State Partnership Program directors of the state National Guards partnered with the Adriatic charter nations shared best practices during a conference hosted by the New Jersey National Guard at the National Aerospace Research and Technology Park Jan. 23-24.
The New Jersey National Guard is partnered with Albania, the Maryland Guard with Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Minnesota Guard with Croatia, the Maine Guard with Montenegro, and the Vermont Guard with North Macedonia.
“As state National Guard SPP directors, we have worked closely together for years,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kevin Murphy, New Jersey SPP director. “It’s rare, though, that we can all get into the same room to share best practices and discuss how we can support each other.”
Read Full Story |
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Meet the New Jersey woman making sure female veterans are remembered — and recognizedRyan Hughes | CBS Philadelphia | March 6, 2024
CHERRY HILL, N.J. (CBS) - About 350,000 women served during World War II, which is roughly 2% of all the Americans who served, according to the National World War II Museum.
May Brill, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is one of them. Her motto is "one day at a time," and her continued fight for recognition begins every morning by putting on a special hat.
"I feel as though I have a job to do," Brill said. She has made it her mission to inform the world that women in the military are not invisible.
"I wear this hat...I don't like to wear hats, but I wear this hat every day," she said.
The words "WWII Female Veteran" are embroidered on the side of her hat.
Read Full Story with Video |
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In Honor of all those from New Jersey who gave their lives in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In humble gratitude, we remember their sacrifice. |
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March 16, 2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom CPL Carlos GonzalezU.S. Army
Passaic, New Jersey | March 17, 2007
Operation Iraqi Freedom SFC Benjamin Sebban
U.S. Army South Amboy, New Jersey | March 21, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom
SSG Jeremy R. Horton U.S. Army Carneys Point, New Jersey |
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March 22, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom
PFC Bruce Miller Jr.U.S. Army Orange, New Jersey |
March 22, 2008
Operation Enduring Freedom SSG William R. Neil Jr.U.S. Army
Holmdel, New Jersey | March 25, 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom SPC Adam D. Froehlich
U.S. Army Pine Hill, New Jersey |
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"But on the battlefield their feet stood fast, and in an instant at the height of their fortune, they passed away from the scene, not of their fear, but of their glory."
~ Pericles |
| NJ Fallen Heroes Memorial |
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US Air Force Major Beverly Huber of Pedricktown, NJ after leaving the last airplane full of troops from Vietnam in 1973. Major Huber told the press that she was "very pleased to be the last American lady out of Vietnam." |
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| March 20,1874 |
The Washington Association of New Jersey was formed to oversee the preservation and maintenance of the Ford Mansion, George Washington’s Morristown headquarters, recently purchased at auction by a group of prominent local citizens. | March 21, 1778 |
Loyalist raiders under Colonel John Simcoe massacred New Jersey militiamen, inadvertently killing a Loyalist judge in the process, in a night bayonet attack at Hancock’s Bridge. |
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March 21, 1967 |
Ramsey-born U.S. Army Master Sergeant Charles Ernest Hosking Jr. of the Fifth Special Forces Group was mortally wounded attempting to capture a Viet Cong sniper. The enemy soldier pulled the pin on a hand grenade, and Hosking grabbed him, taking the full force of the blast and saving his comrades. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. Hosking is buried in Ridgewood. |
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 | Grace Taylor
World War II |
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 | Bonalyn Selb
World War II |
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 | Christine Goetz
Desert Storm |
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 | Helene Cattani
World War II |
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COL Christine Haycock |
In 1952, COL Christine Haycock became the first woman officer to serve as a physician in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. Following the Korean War, she became the first woman to hold a major command in New Jersey, with responsibility for the Army’s 322nd General Hospital.
The image above is from her display case at the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey in Lawrenceville. |
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We Are Hiring!
At the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs we take our work in support of Veterans, Servicemembers and their families very seriously. Whether supporting our Veterans with nursing care, transitional housing, or assisting them in navigating access to their Veteran benefits, the Department provides valuable services and can offer rewarding career opportunities to members of the public.
We also have opportunities in facilities management and program management. In addition, we have job openings for members of our military to serve in AGR and Federal Technician roles.
Subscribe to DMAVA Jobs Bulletin to stay updated on job openings.
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We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter and find it both educational and engaging. If you have questions about our department, our programs or your benefits, please visit our website at nj.gov/military to get contact information. |
| Contact DMAVA |
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Please email us at outreach@dmava.nj.gov with feedback and comments regarding the newsletter. If you would like to contribute with an item of interest to our subscribers, please email us your proposal.
Visit the DMAVA archives to view previous editions of our newsletter.
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nj.gov/military NJ Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
101 Eggert Crossing Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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Disclaimer: The appearance of any non-DMAVA information or hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement of the products or services on the part of the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. |
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