RED FRIDAY: Standing with Our Deployed Troops and Their Families

March 7, 2025 — Across the nation, from Connecticut to the Korean Peninsula, thousands of U.S. service members are answering the call to duty. This Red Friday, we wear red not just as a symbol, but as a promise—to remember those deployed and the families they leave behind.

The weight of deployment is not measured only in miles or months. It is counted in missed birthdays, empty seats at the dinner table, and quiet sacrifices made by those waiting at home. As we honor the Soldiers and Airmen preparing for new missions, we must also recognize the families who stand just as strong, even as they face their own battles of separation and uncertainty.

Connecticut’s Own: The 1109th and 103rd Prepare to Deploy

At Bradley Air National Guard Base in Connecticut, the 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group (TASMG) and the 103rd Airlift Wing recently gathered for a send-off ceremony, marking the beginning of another deployment cycle. These men and women will provide critical aviation maintenance and airlift support, ensuring mission success in regions where U.S. forces operate.

For the families saying goodbye, there is no ceremony that can soften the moment a loved one departs. Yet, they endure—raising children alone, managing homes, and carrying the quiet burden of waiting. As they watch their service members board planes bound for distant lands, they do so with pride, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the mission.

Middle East Readiness: Michigan National Guard’s 745th Ordnance Company

Elsewhere, the Michigan National Guard’s 745th Ordnance Company is making final preparations for deployment to the Middle East. Tasked with maintaining and securing critical military ordnance, their expertise will support ongoing operations in a region where stability is never guaranteed.

These Soldiers will join thousands of others already stationed overseas, reinforcing America’s global presence. Meanwhile, their loved ones back home will adjust to life without them, carrying the responsibility of keeping the home front strong until they return.

Freedom Shield: U.S. Forces Mobilize in Korea

Next week, the U.S. military will launch Freedom Shield 2025, the annual joint exercise with South Korea. Thousands of U.S. troops will participate in air, land, sea, and cyber operations, ensuring combat readiness in a region where tensions remain high. North Korea’s frequent missile tests and China’s increasing assertiveness in the Pacific make these drills more crucial than ever.

For the troops on the ground, these exercises mean long hours, relentless training, and time spent far from home. For their families, it means yet another stretch of waiting—hoping that their loved ones remain safe, that the mission remains just training, and that the day of reunion comes soon.

They Serve, We Remember

Every Friday, Red Friday reminds us of one simple truth: those deployed are never forgotten. They are more than a news story or a passing mention in the headlines. They are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They serve so that we may live in peace, and they do so knowing the sacrifices they must bear.

And so, we wear red—not as a fashion statement, but as a symbol of our unwavering support. We keep their families in our hearts, knowing that their sacrifices are just as great. We remain steadfast in our commitment to those who serve, because while they stand on the front lines for us, we stand behind them.

Until they all come home.

Connecticut National Guard Troops Prepare for Deployment with Families and Community by Their Side

Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Conn., March 1, 2025 —

For the Soldiers and Airmen of the 1109th Theater Aviation Support Maintenance Group (TASMG) and the 103rd Airlift Wing, this deployment is more than another mission. It is another sacrifice. Another separation from family. Another test of resilience.

At their send-off ceremony, the weight of what lay ahead was evident in the tight embraces, quiet words of reassurance, and the steady hands of service members who have done this before. Some leave behind young children who won’t understand why their parent has to go. Others part from spouses who now shoulder every burden alone. Parents and siblings put on brave faces, but the worry never leaves.

Mission and Dedication

These Connecticut National Guard members will soon deploy in support of contingency operations across multiple global combatant commands, taking on roles crucial to sustaining military effectiveness overseas.

• The 1109th TASMG, based in Groton, provides top-level maintenance and repair for Army helicopters, ensuring that troops on the front lines have the air support they need. Their work is the difference between a successful mission and an aircraft failing at the worst possible moment.
• The 103rd Airlift Wing, out of Bradley Air National Guard Base, is stepping into its role under Reserve Component Period-6 (RCP-6), supporting global operations with transport, logistics, and mission support that will keep operations running smoothly.

For the men and women deploying, these aren’t just job descriptions. They are responsibilities that come with enormous stakes. When a helicopter goes down, when a mission stalls due to logistical failures, when supplies don’t reach those who need them—it’s people like these Connecticut Guardsmen who make the difference.

A General’s Perspective

Major General Francis Evon, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, addressed the importance of these support personnel, whose work is often overshadowed by frontline operations but remains essential to military success.

“The United States military’s success is carried on the backs of support personnel. Regardless of whether we’re dealing with combat operations or humanitarian efforts, Soldiers and Airmen, like those heading out the door, are vital to securing and maintaining our nation’s interests at home and abroad,” Evon said.

His words reflect the deep respect for these service members, not just as troops in uniform but as individuals whose expertise and dedication keep the military functioning at its highest level.

“I’m proud of, and grateful for, the men and women of the 1109th and 103rd for their stalwart dedication to their state and country. I have no doubt they’ll create success and set the standard for future deployment rotations,” he added.

The Cost of Service

The deployment isn’t just hard on those leaving; it’s just as hard for those left behind. Military families make sacrifices that few outside the service will ever fully understand. Children will have birthdays without their parents there to celebrate. Spouses will keep households running while holding onto the hope of safe returns.

One Airman’s wife, holding their toddler in her arms, summed it up: “We do this because we love them, because we believe in what they’re doing. But it never gets easier.”

For some, this deployment is their first. For others, it’s one more in a long line of separations stretching across decades of service. And while the send-off ceremony was filled with proud smiles, the reality of goodbye lingered just beneath the surface.

Support at Home

The Connecticut National Guard recognizes that no deployment is truly endured alone. Family readiness programs, counseling services, and support networks exist to help ease the burden, but nothing truly replaces the presence of a loved one. The Connecticut National Guard Service Member and Family Support Center continues to provide outreach, ensuring that those who stay behind are not forgotten.

They Serve, We Stand With Them

As these Soldiers and Airmen board the aircraft that will carry them far from home, they do so with the knowledge that Connecticut stands behind them. They carry with them the trust of their families, the gratitude of their fellow citizens, and the unshakable commitment to return when their duty is done.

They serve, they sacrifice, and they uphold the legacy of those who came before them. And while the world may not always see what they do, those who love them know: their service is everything.

Michigan National Guard’s 745th Ordnance Company Prepares for Middle East Deployment

On March 4, 2025, the Michigan Army National Guard’s 745th Ordnance Company convened at the Grayling Army Airfield Armory for a poignant deployment ceremony, marking their fourth mission since 9/11.

A Legacy of Service

The 745th Ordnance Company, based in Grayling, has a storied history of deployments, with their last mission in June 2020 to the CENTCOM Theatre supporting Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

Mission Focus

This deployment aims to support Operation Spartan Shield throughout the Middle East. The unit’s mission centers on safely identifying, disarming, and disposing of hazardous explosive devices, while conducting concurrent training with partner nations. Such efforts not only ensure the safety of U.S. and allied forces but also protect local populations.

Voices from the Ranks

Specialist John Martinez, a munitions specialist, shared his thoughts: “Our training has been intense, but it’s the camaraderie that keeps us strong.”

Sergeant Emily Thompson, a seasoned EOD technician, added: “Each deployment brings new challenges, but our commitment to the mission and each other remains unwavering.”

Family and Community Support

Recognizing the sacrifices of military families during these long separations, the Michigan National Guard emphasizes support systems. Brigadier General Ravindra Wagh, assistant adjutant general and MIARNG commander, remarked, “Our military families sacrifice a lot during these long separations, and their support is crucial to the success of our Soldiers as they deploy overseas.”

The Michigan National Guard Family Programs Office offers resources, counseling, and community events to assist families during the deployment period. They can be reached at 1-888-MICH-FAM.

Looking Ahead

As the 745th Ordnance Company embarks on this mission, their expertise and dedication will be instrumental in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of military operations in the Middle East. The unwavering support from their families and the community fortifies their resolve, exemplifying the National Guard’s commitment to both state and national interests.