We are Proud of our Nebraska National Guard

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:
I am proud of our Nebraska National Guard for their unique and important role they play for our state and our country.
The National Guard stands ever ready to serve Nebraskans in need, as we have seen multiple times in recent years during the wildfire outbreak that affected significant portions of our state, during the historic flooding on the Missouri and Platte Rivers and the recent tornado in Wayne.
The Nebraska National Guard has been significantly involved in events around the world as represented by the thousands of deployments that have occurred over the past two decades to such locations as Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Afghanistan, Iraq and over the skies of Libya. Their dedication is echoed in the names of those Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and in the continuing sacrifices of the families they left behind.
As Governor, I am honored to serve as the Commander in Chief of the Nebraska National Guard. That’s because I know the quality of Soldiers and Airmen that serve in this organization. I have had many opportunities to observe our Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen in action and I am very proud of the many awards they have received.
Nebraska National Guard men and women have been honored many times in the past. For example, I’ve had the pleasure to participate in ceremonies honoring Nebraska Army and Air National Guard units and individuals for receiving national recognition in the medical, dental, air refueling, food service, public affairs and community relations fields.
Nebraska units have also been honored for their work in aviation, engineering, transportation and other fields.  In fact, just in logistics alone, Nebraska Army Guard units and Soldiers have earned a total of 34 national or regional awards for supply excellence since 1992. Their work makes a difference and it has a lasting impact.
Recently, I took part in a ceremony that recognized seven separate Nebraska Army National Guard units who were recognized as being the best in the nation in supply and maintenance support. As a former Army Ranger, I know very well the importance of logistics and maintenance in ensuring that our Army units are ready and prepared to do whatever mission they’re called upon to do.
Those honored during the ceremony were the 110th Multifunctional Medical Battalion Headquarters from Lincoln, the 92nd Troop Command Headquarters from Lincoln, the 189th Transportation Company from Norfolk and Wayne, the 1-376th Security and Support Aviation Battalion Headquarters from Grand Island, the Nebraska National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters from Lincoln, and the Nebraska National Guard's Surface Maintenance Manager's Office from Lincoln.
Additionally, the Camp Ashland-based 209th Regional Training Institute earned two major national awards, finishing first in their category of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff Supply Excellence Award Competition and then being named the first National Guard unit to receive the prestigious "Best of the Best Award" for recording the highest scores of more than 100 active Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard units evaluated nationwide.
In addition to the unit awards, I was very proud that the very first National Guard Bureau Logistician of the Year Award went to a Nebraska Army National Guard Soldier, Command Sergeant Major Boyd Navratil. He has done outstanding work throughout his career.
I appreciate the work that our Nebraska Soldiers, their families and their employers do for the greater good of Nebraska and all Americans.

- Dave Heineman
    Governor of Nebraska