NEW HAMPSHIRE GUARDSMAN
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HEAVY METTLE By Tech. Sgt. Charles Johnston, NHNG Deputy State PAO It’s been over a year since Gov. Chris Sununu chose the New Hampshire National Guard as his state champion. COVID-19 has been a formidable foe. But the battle is turning. “The size and duration of this activation has been unprecedented,” said NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities. “It truly reflects on the next greatest generation and their ability to help their community, state and nation.” About 1,260 guardsmen have served on Task Force Granite, the state’s makeshift pandemic response force. But as more Granite Staters become vaccinated, support missions are drawing to an end. Many guardsmen have returned to their civilian jobs. About 660 NH Guard soldiers and airmen remain on orders supporting four lines of effort.
“When you’re taking soldiers and airmen from their employers for an extended period of time, it has a rippling effect on the individual, their family and their employer,” Mikolaities said. The NH Guard was first thrust onto the front lines in March of 2020. Activations rose steadily. At its peak, nearly 30 percent of the NHNG was called up. Across the 54 states and territories, that’s an estimated five times the average, Mikolaities said. With each passing month, missions expanded and multiplied. Guardsmen built alternate care facilities to augment hospitals, staffed food pantries, call centers, test sites and led vaccination efforts. Massive shipments of personal protective equipment were warehoused and distributed. They even tilled soil and planted crops for NH Food Bank. continues on next page
Spc. Brett Lima, a HIMARS operator with 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Brigade, NHARNG, waits patiently for the next line of cars at a mobile pantry in Laconia on July 10. Photo By Staff Sgt. Courtney Rorick 114th PAD NCOIC.
