An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 11, 2015

Wisconsin Air Guard leaders visit deployed Airmen in Japan

By Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel, 18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan —Wisconsin National Guard senior leaders visited deployed members of the 115th Fighter Wing March 4 to learn how they are helping complete the mission here.

During their visit, Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen, Wisconsin Air National Guard command chief, and Brig. Gen. Gary Ebben, Wisconsin National Guard deputy adjutant general for Air, spoke with several squadrons about how the Wisconsin Air National Guard fits into Kadena’s mission of providing unmatched combat power, a forward power projection platform and for the common defense of Japan.

While at Kadena, Ebben and Cullen also took the opportunity to speak with the members from their home units during a lunch at the Officer’s Club.

“I am excited to see all of the good work everyone is putting in during this deployment,” Ebben said.

Ebben also talked about the strategic importance his Airmen play while here.

“You are all here representing America,” he said. “You are not just representing the Air Force or the Air National Guard — every time you are out in town you are representing America.”

 

 

Related Articles
Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, poses with competitors following the awards ceremony at the inaugural Pennsylvania National Guard Keystones Combatives Tournament in Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Jan. 11, 2026. Thirty-nine Soldiers and Airmen competed in the first Modern Army Combatives tournament in the state’s history. Photo by Staff Sgt. Kelly Boyer.
Pennsylvania National Guard Hosts Inaugural Keystone Combatives Tournament
By Staff Sgt. Kelly Boyer, | Jan. 14, 2026
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — Thirty-nine Soldiers and Airmen from the Pennsylvania National Guard tested their hand-to-hand combat skills during the inaugural Keystone Combatives Tournament at the Blue Mountain Sports Complex...

Carrying U.S. Coast Guard members of the Maritime Security Response Team, a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopter conducts joint hoist training Jan. 23, 2023, at Coast Guard Station Kodiak. The Interagency training included participation of U.S. Naval Special Warfare, the Coast Guard's Maritime Security Response Team and the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th Rescue Squadron. Photo by David Bedard.
Alaska Air Guard Conducts Nighttime Medical Evacuation
By Alejandro Pena, | Jan. 14, 2026
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard members assigned to the 176th Wing medically evacuated an individual Jan. 12 in Southcentral Alaska.In response to a request for assistance from the Alaska...

Maj. Gen. Rodney Boyd, the adjutant general of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard, and Portuguese Lt. Gen. Rui Freitas sign the formal agreement creating the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program between the Illinois National Guard and the Portuguese military on Jan. 12, 2026, at the Portuguese Ministry of Defense in Lisbon. The State Partnership Program is a Department of War initiative led by the National Guard that supports the security cooperation objectives of U.S. combatant commands and aligns with U.S. State Department strategies. Photo by Cpl. Justin Malone.
Illinois Guard, Portugal Formalize New State Partnership Agreement
By Cpl. Justin Malone, | Jan. 13, 2026
LISBON, Portugal – The Illinois National Guard and the Ministry of National Defense of the Portuguese Republic held a ceremony Jan. 12 to officially establish a new State Partnership Program agreement between the two armed...