As we mark Red Friday on November 8, 2024, the dedication of our military personnel and their families remains at the forefront of our nation’s gratitude. With Veterans Day on Monday, November 11, this week has brought fresh reminders of the enduring commitment shown by our armed forces and the families who stand with them. From partnerships abroad to intergenerational deployments, each story exemplifies the courage and sacrifice that unite service members past and present.

In recent months, members of the Illinois Air National Guard, Ohio Air National Guard, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe conducted expeditionary site planning surveys at military airbases across Poland. These surveys, a critical component of Agile Combat Employment (ACE), ensure readiness at strategic airfields across Europe. For these National Guard members, supporting the ACE concept means creating safe, functional sites where American and NATO forces can operate in times of crisis. This Red Friday, we recognize their tireless work and commitment to strengthening international military partnerships.

In Morocco, the Utah Air National Guard participated in the Marrakech Airshow, where American and Moroccan officials came together to showcase technology, deepen ties, and reinforce decades-long partnerships. Brig. Gen. Shawn Holtz of U.S. Africa Command highlighted the deep strategic alliance between the United States and Morocco, especially in light of shared defense initiatives. For the Utah National Guard, joining in this international event was a chance to showcase the capabilities of the U.S. military while supporting troops who may one day rely on these alliances in times of need.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing showed the power of family bonds in military service as twenty family units deployed together to Kadena Air Base, Japan. From siblings and spouses to parents and children, these family members—united by duty and devotion—provide mutual support in service. Col. Nathan Aysta, commander of the 148th Fighter Wing, described the experience as an embodiment of “duty, sacrifice, and honor.” Their dedication stands as a testament to the strength of families that commit to serving together, offering both the U.S. military and their communities a profound example of resilience.

While these three stories of military service span continents, they share a common thread: each exemplifies the unbreakable bond between American service members and the cause of freedom. The commitment of the National Guard and other branches has been an integral part of our defense and a vital connection between our communities and the larger world. Programs like the State Partnership Program have fostered strong ties across generations and borders, ensuring that our deployed troops receive the support they need no matter where they serve.

As we approach Veterans Day on Monday, let us honor not only those who have served but also those who currently carry the torch of duty. This Red Friday, we stand in solidarity with all members of the military and their families who have sacrificed for our country. Whether serving overseas in Poland, supporting strategic partnerships in Morocco, or upholding family traditions in Japan, their courage and dedication inspire us all.

Red Friday reminds us to remember everyone deployed, and as we prepare for Veterans Day, let us also remember the unbreakable commitment our veterans have made. Their legacy lives on in today’s troops, and this week serves as a tribute to their selflessness and sacrifice across generations. To every service member, veteran, and military family, thank you for your unwavering dedication.

U.S. National Guard Teams Support Deployed Forces with Expeditionary Site Planning in Poland

Members of the Illinois Air National Guard, Ohio Air National Guard, and U.S. Air Forces in Europe recently conducted vital expeditionary site planning surveys across Poland, assessing three military airbases and a commercial airport during a two-week deployment. This mission aimed to ensure that U.S. and NATO forces can operate efficiently and securely in strategic locations, supporting our deployed troops in Europe.

The site survey team included members from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 126th Air Refueling Wing, the 182nd Airlift Wing, and a specialized pavement evaluation unit from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 200th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (REDHORSE). “This is the first time that anyone in the directorate can remember National Guard members augmenting the mission,” shared Maj. Jason Chisolm, the chief of USAFE’s expeditionary site plan survey. For U.S. troops, this data will streamline mission planning for both training exercises and real-world operations.

The team’s efforts directly support the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept, allowing rapid distribution and repositioning of forces and resources. Collected data will guide U.S. and NATO leaders on the capabilities available across these airfields, helping deployed troops and command planners with real-time decisions to enhance mission readiness.

The October surveys assessed key factors like security, intelligence, ammunition storage, maintenance, airfield management, and aerial port capabilities. The 200th REDHORSE team drilled into airbase runways and aprons, checking pavement strength and determining how frequently aircraft can land at each site. “Depending on the types of distress I find, I can recommend repairs or limit aircraft in certain spots,” said Capt. Johnathan Whitesell, reinforcing the importance of safe landing conditions for troop and equipment mobility.

This mission was also significant as it allowed Illinois National Guard members to work alongside their Polish counterparts, reflecting a partnership that has been maintained for over 30 years under the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program (SPP). Originally designed to assist Eastern European nations following the Cold War, the SPP has since expanded globally, pairing 106 nations with U.S. state and territory National Guard units.

Master Sgt. Tasia Clark of the Illinois Air National Guard’s 126th Force Support Squadron expressed gratitude for this opportunity. “Working with my Polish counterparts was an amazing experience, especially because the Illinois Air National Guard is paired with Poland through the State Partnership Program,” she said. “I am extremely grateful to have been a part of this expedition and hope it will not be my last one.”

The site surveys exemplify the collaborative strength between U.S. and Polish forces, ensuring that our deployed troops remain ready and supported in strategic locations across Europe. As data is shared with U.S. leaders, embassy personnel, and the Polish Ministry of Defense, the mission reflects the depth of the U.S.-Poland alliance and its dedication to regional stability, security, and mutual military support.

Minnesota National Guard Families Unite in Deployment to Japan, Strengthening Military Bonds and Supporting Troops Abroad

This year, twenty family units from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing embarked on a unique deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan, where their commitment to service and family brought a powerful sense of unity to their mission. These family members—parents, siblings, spouses, and extended relatives—represent an unprecedented deployment structure, underscoring the deep familial ties that support our troops overseas.

Col. Nathan Aysta, commander of the 148th Fighter Wing, noted the profound dedication among family members serving together. “They embody a commitment to service, not only to their country but also to each other, united by a shared sense of duty, sacrifice, and honor in their service to the Minnesota Air National Guard,” Aysta stated.

Deploying together offers unique support for these military families, creating a stronger connection with the mission and easing the challenges of time spent away from home. The Minnesota National Guard described this deployment as “unprecedented,” as such a large number of related members have never previously deployed together. These families represent a broader societal trend often described as the “warrior caste,” where service to the nation becomes a family calling—a trend that is particularly common in smaller, tight-knit communities across the United States.

The Minnesota National Guard’s partnership with family members extends beyond deployments to the essence of National Guard recruitment, where generations of families often choose service. According to Kate Kuzminski, director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security, “We see it across professions where there’s a calling higher than just a career. It’s something that you can see yourself serving in given the fact that you’re exposed to it.”

A long-standing tradition in the U.S. military, family-based recruitment is at the heart of a growing dialogue about the civilian-military divide. Department of Defense statistics from 2016 indicate that around 80% of service members had a relative who previously served. Despite these close family ties, senior military leaders are concerned that fewer Americans are connected to the military today, impacting recruitment efforts. Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein of the Air Force Recruiting Service emphasized the importance of familiar connections, stating, “In 1990, 40% of young adults had a parent who served. That’s down to 15% today.”

For families like the Sunnarborgs and the Schmiseks, this deployment strengthens bonds both personal and professional. Staff Sgt. Macy Sunnarborg, who deployed with her sister, Senior Airman Mallory Sunnarborg, shared how having her sister with her in Japan eased her longing for home. “Having Mal here, I feel like I don’t miss home as much because home is here,” she said.

In another remarkable story, Tech. Sgt. Catherine Schmisek deployed with her husband, Staff Sgt. Matthew Schmisek, her father, Col. John Zupancic, and her brothers, Staff Sgt. Carl and Staff Sgt. John. “I never would have thought that I would be on a deployment with my husband, let alone my brothers as well,” Schmisek reflected.

As the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing fulfills its role in the Pacific region, these family units stand together, embodying the strength of military families and ensuring continued support for U.S. interests abroad. In a world where military service often becomes a family tradition, these stories underscore the enduring dedication of military families and the unwavering support they bring to our deployed troops.