CONCORD, N.H. –
To the Soldiers, Airmen, and Civilian Employees of the NHNG,
As we draw down support of the state’s pandemic response, I want to wish you and your families a happy July 4th holiday.
I encourage you, especially those who are coming off extended activation, to enjoy some well-earned leave.
Thanks to your extraordinary efforts over the past 15 months, life as we know is slowly, but surely, returning to normal.
In terms of sheer numbers, you crushed it: 475 days of continuous duty (and counting), 1,300 soldiers and airmen activated, 804,000 vaccinations administered, 146,700 COVID tests given, 133,300 cases mapped, 515,000 calls handled between the help center and coordination cell, 394,000 pounds of food sorted, 281,000 meals provided, 1,019 surge beds set up (and broken down), 7,000 pallets of PPE received and warehoused, 16,800 PPE orders completed, and 372,900 miles of road traveled delivering PPE.
Overall, you accounted for nearly 200,000 man days in support of pandemic relief efforts. That equates to more than 400 soldiers and airmen, or 15 percent of our force, continuously activated since last March.
Nothing of this magnitude has ever been achieved by the New Hampshire National Guard. In other words, you made history and in the process redefined what it means to be a citizen soldier and airmen.
The same can-do attitude has been on display at the Southwest Border as the Task Force West Sentinels near the end its year-long deployment.
Overseas, Alpha Company, 1/169th Aviation Regiment has begun its support of an ongoing NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. Mountain Company is hitting its stride providing base security in Saudi Arabia while the 157th Air Refueling Wing continues its deployment cycle with airmen stationed in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, Niger, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
At Pease, the Wing continues to achieve historic firsts with its full complement of KC-46A refuelers.
The governor and your fellow citizens could not be more grateful for your service. As we celebrate our Nation’s 245th year of independence, take time to relax with family and friends. Rest and be safe this summer.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our State and Nation. It’s truly an honor to be part of such an outstanding organization of men and women so focused on the greater good.
Sincerely,
Major General David Mikolaities
Adjutant General
New Hampshire National Guard