Posts

National Guard Says Donations Not Needed — the Troops Were Just Napping

/0 Comments/in , /by

. . .The National Guard is saying thanks, but no thanks, to the generous donations that have been pouring in after photos emerged Wednesday of troops sleeping on the hard marble floors of the Capitol.

The troops in the photograph were just taking a breaktime nap, Guard leaders explained, and actually have ample accomodations in local hotel rooms.

“In response to photos on social media and in the press today showing National Guardsmen resting in between shifts at the Capitol, many well-meaning and thoughtful citizens are organizing collection of comfort items for National Guard men and women who are in the District of Columbia in support of the upcoming presidential inauguration,” a statement from the National Guard said.

“While we appreciate the many offers and people who care about our soldiers and airmen, we are not logistically able to accept donations of any kind.” (Read more from “National Guard Says Donations Not Needed — the Troops Were Just Napping” HERE)

Delete Facebook, Delete Twitter, Follow Restoring Liberty and Joe Miller at gab HERE

National Guard Soldier Killed Herself After Being Gang-Raped by Colleagues, Higher-Ups Did “Nothing”

/0 Comments/in , , /by

A devoted Army National Guard soldier killed herself after she reported being sexually assaulted on the job — but the military branch did nothing to help, according to her mom. . .

The horror that led to Morgan Robinson’s suicide began two years earlier, when one of her supervisors allegedly sexually assaulted and harrassed her multiple times while they were stationed in Kuwait, according to CBS, which is investigating failures by the US military to address sex crimes internally.

But when Morgan reported the attacks, higher-ups did “nothing” to punish the supervisor or protect her, according to her mother. . .

While on the same deployment, Robinson was then sent to Afghanistan, where multiple soldiers allegedly gang-raped her, CBS reports. This time, she was too scared and disillusioned by the system to report it — and four months later, she committed suicide.

The Army began an investigation into her untimely death and later handed Debbie a report — but much of it was redacted. (Read more from “National Guard Soldier Killed Herself After Being Gang-Raped by Colleagues, Higher-Ups Did “Nothing” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

Critics Blast Oregon Dems for Calling National Guard to Quell Portland Riots Now That Elections Are Over

/0 Comments/in , /by

Democratic leaders on the state level in Oregon, as well as in Portland, are being dragged online for calling in National Guard troops to quell post-election rioting in the city after it had gone on for months.

Critics online accused Gov. Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, the latter of whom won reelection Tuesday, of allowing the rioting to go on all summer long while opposing President Donald Trump’s repeated offers of federal intervention because it played better for them politically.

“And now Ted Wheeler sees no benefit to them rioting and is cracking down immediately. People in that city were used for politics. Businesses were damaged for politics. So gross man,” one user wrote.

(Read more from “Critics Blast Oregon Dems for Calling National Guard to Quell Portland Riots Now That Elections Are Over” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

National Guard Deployed to Manage Protests in Wisconsin

/1 Comment/in , /by

Gov. Tony Evers deployed the Wisconsin National Guard to assist local law enforcement agencies with protests following the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake.

Evers, a Democrat, confirmed that 125 members of the National Guard would be deployed to Kenosha, the city where Blake, a 29-year-old black man, was shot several times by police officers during an arrest on Sunday. The governor said they would be tasked with protecting infrastructure from vandalism and looting as well as ensuring the safety of firefighters working in the area.

“This is a limited mobilization of the National Guard focused on supporting the needs of local first responders to protect critical infrastructure, such as utilities and fire stations, and to ensure Kenoshians are able to assemble safely,” Evers said on Monday.

The Kenosha Police Department issued a curfew just after midnight early Monday morning that lasted until 7 a.m. The department sent a notice to the public via text message, noting that the curfew was caused by “numerous armed robberies and shots fired calls.” The department announced that the curfew would be reinstated at 8 p.m. on Monday evening. . .

Kenosha was the site of protests and riots on Sunday night after the video of Blake’s shooting went viral. Several fires were set during the riots, and tear gas was used by police to enforce a curfew that was implemented in the city. One officer was hit with a brick during the riots. (Read more from “National Guard Deployed to Manage Protests in Wisconsin” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

National Guard Soldiers to Be Activated for Trump Rally

/0 Comments/in , /by

Up to 250 Oklahoma Army National Guard soldiers will be activated to assist in providing security for President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa on Saturday.

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin stated that the troops will be used as a “force multiplier” to secure safety zones near the BOK Center, where the rally is scheduled to be held. Local and federal law enforcement agencies also will help provide security for the event.

Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Geoff Legler said the troops will be unarmed and carry shields and batons as well as pepper spray.

(Read more from “National Guard Soldiers to Be Activated for Trump Rally” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

WATCH: National Guard Called Over Minneapolis Protests; Rioters Burn Down Police Station

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Minneapolis Protests Over George Floyd’s Death Turn Chaotic; National Guard Called

By Forbes. A second night of protests in Minneapolis—sparked by the death of a black man, George Floyd, after a now-viral video showed a white police officer kneeling on his neck—devolved into chaos, as buildings were set on fire and stores ransacked while police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets, leading Mayor Jacob Frey to request assistance from the state’s National Guard. . .

George Floyd’s death stoked national outrage and reignited tensions in Minneapolis, which the Washington Post said is a community in which the police have “long been accused of racism.” Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng, the four officers seen in the video, have been fired. Floyd’s family is calling for accountability, with his sister, Brigett Floyd, telling the Today show: “I would like for those officers to be charged with murder because that’s exactly what they did.” The FBI is investigating, and President Trump tweeted Wednesday that “Justice will be served!” (Read more from “Minneapolis Protests Over George Floyd’s Death Turn Chaotic; National Guard Called” HERE)

__________________________________________________

Minneapolis Rioters Breach Police Station, Livestream From Inside as Building Goes up in Flames

By The Blaze. Another night of protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, culminated on Thursday in an assault on the 3rd precinct police station by protesters who tried to light it on fire after police abandoned the area.

Rioters breached the station at about 10:30 p.m. One of the protesters broadcast a livestream from the station on social media.

Rioters could be seen in the livestream video trying to start fires in the building and stealing equipment. Others shot fireworks at the building from the outside.

(Read more from “Minneapolis Rioters Breach Police Station, Livestream From Inside as Building Goes up in Flames” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

National Guard’s New Fitness Test May Prove Too Challenging for Some Soldiers

/0 Comments/in , /by

Commanders at the Army National Guard are worried that 330,000 citizen soldiers will struggle to meet their new fitness standards, according to the Associated Press Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Brian Dean is working to get the Guard transitioned to the new fitness test. He told AP that “it’s a concern” that the new fitness standards could drive many soldiers out of the National Guard.

“For those who are already doing well on their physical fitness test and they have the routine figured out, I think they’re going to transition to this new test without any issues,” Dean said. “People who are in those parts of their life where they’re still kinda struggling to make the right time for fitness and do fitness in the right ways — this will feel significant.”

Many soldiers in the National Guard are made up of regular citizens; working part time to protect their communities, be available during natural disasters, and provide assistance to active-duty military forces. Many members work regular jobs or attend school while serving. . .

Originally, the fitness test required soldiers to do two minutes of push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run. The new test, which will be implemented Oct. 1, 2020, will last an hour and make use of a sled-drag, a deadlift, and include many other exercises; all on top of a push-up and two-mile running evaluation. (Read more from “National Guard’s New Fitness Test May Prove Too Challenging for Some Soldiers” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE

National Guard Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Identified as Utah Mayor, Father of 7

/0 Comments/in , /by

The American service member killed Saturday in an apparent insider attack in Afghanistan has been identified as Army Maj. Brent Taylor of the Utah Army National Guard.

Initial reports indicate Taylor was shot and killed by a member of the Afghan security forces, according to Operation Resolute Support, the NATO training mission in Afghanistan.

Another U.S. soldier was wounded in the attack, which occurred at the Kabul Military Training Center early Saturday afternoon. That soldier received medical treatment at Bagram airfield and returned to duty, NATO officials said.

Taylor deployed to Afghanistan in January as part of an advisory team that trains Afghan commando units, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Before his death, he had served more than a decade in the National Guard, including seven years on active duty. . .

In civilian life, Taylor was the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, a city of about 17,000 people about 45 miles north of Salt Lake City. First elected in 2013, Taylor told the Salt Lake Tribune earlier this year that serving as mayor was “one of the greatest honors of my life and the highlight of my civilian professional career.” (Read more from “National Guard Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Identified as Utah Mayor, Father of 7” HERE)

____________________________________________________

Utahns Mourn Loss of ‘Genuine Hero’: North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor Killed in Afghanistan in Apparent Insider Attack

By Salt Lake Tribune. After he got his orders in January to deploy to Afghanistan, North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor went live on Facebook to tell his constituents he’d be gone and what to expect.

It was an easy choice for him, one that was months in the making, rooted in decisions he’d made years ago to serve God, his family and his country. . .

Taylor was killed during an apparent insider attack early Saturday in Kabul. The attacker was immediately killed by Afghan Forces, according to NATO. The Utah National Guard hasn’t confirmed Taylor was killed in the attack, but Maj. Gen. Jefferson S. Burton, the adjutant general, in a news release, said: “My heart breaks for the loss and sacrifice of our soldier, particularly for the family. I wish them all the comfort and courage to face the difficult days ahead.”

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said in a statement that he was heartbroken by Taylor’s death, calling the North Ogden mayor a “brave and selfless soldier.” . . .

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, echoed Herbert, writing on Facebook, “We lost a genuine hero and one of the best people in our state. We must rally around his sweet family.” (Read more from “Utahns Mourn Loss of ‘Genuine Hero’: North Ogden Mayor Brent Taylor Killed in Afghanistan in Apparent Insider Attack” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

‘Role Players’ Solicited for Military’s Emergency-Prep Drill in Texas

/0 Comments/in , /by

Emergency Prep“Role Player’s (sic) Needed,” is the title of the ad, posted five days ago on the local Craigslist for Austin.

The ad is soliciting online applicants for a total of 60 paid “role players” to participate in a four day U.S. National Guard Training Exercise for Emergency Preparedness slated to begin April 22 in Govalle.

Only ten “role players” are needed for the final day of the drill. The pay is $10.10 per hour.

The ad explains, “Role players will simulate as ‘victims’ who are then ‘rescued’ as part of their training” . . .

The ad was placed by IIF Data Solutions, a private firm that specializes in domestic operations training and exercise development, logistics and facilities operations and role player support services, among other services. (Read more from “‘Role Players’ Solicited for Emergency-Prep Drill” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.

Feds: National Guardsman Plotted Attack for ISIS

/3 Comments/in , /by

CousinsBy CBS News. A National Guardsman arrested for supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, had allegedly planned an attack on a military post in Illinois, the Justice Department said Thursday.

Army National Guard Spc. Hasan Edmonds, 22, was arrested at Chicago Midway International Airport Wednesday night while he was attempting to fly to Cairo to allegedly join ISIS, the department said in a statement.

Members of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force in Chicago also arrested Edmonds’ cousin, Jonas Edmonds, 29, at his home in Aurora, Illinois . . .

The cousins allegedly told an FBI undercover employee their plan for an armed attack on the U.S. military facility in northern Illinois where Hasan Edmonds had been training.

According to court documents, an undercover FBI agent sent Edmonds a friend request on Facebook in late 2014, and in January, Edmonds and the agent exchanged a series of messages on Facebook, and Hasan allegedly discussed plans to travel overseas with his cousin to fight with ISIS extremists, CBS Chicago reported. (Read more from “Feds: National Guardsman Plotted Attack for ISIS” HERE)

___________________________________________________________

Aurora Cousins Charged in Plot to Join Islamic State, Attack Illinois Military Facility

By CBS Chicago. A national guardsman from Aurora and his cousin were arrested Wednesday night, for allegedly conspiring to join the Islamic State terrorist group and attack a Joliet military facility.

Federal prosecutors said 22-year-old Army National Guard Spc. Hasan Edmonds, 22, was arrested at Midway International Airport, while trying to fly to Cairo, Egypt. His cousin, 29-year-old Jonas Edmonds, was arrested at his home in Aurora. Each has been charged with conspiring to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization.

A lengthy affidavit filed in federal court outlines the investigation that resulted in this week’s charges. Both suspects made appearances in federal court Thursday.

Prosecutors said the two planned for Hasan Edmonds to travel overseas, to use his military training to fight with the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, while Jonas Edmonds would launch an attack on the National Guard facility where Hasan had been training. That facility is the Joliet headquarters for the 2nd Battalion, 129th Infantry.

According to court documents, an undercover FBI agent sent Hasan Edmonds a friend request on Facebook in late 2014, and in January, Hasan and the agent exchanged a series of messages on Facebook, and Hasan allegedly discussed plans to travel overseas with his cousin to fight with Islamic State extremists. (Read more from this story HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.