Photo By Anthony Housey | Soldiers with the Ohio National Guard's 1st Combined Arms Battalion - 145th Armor...... read more read more
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In a world where near peer threats are rapidly evolving, being vigilant and adaptable are no longer options — they’re essential. The Ohio National Guard responded to that reality in 2025, taking steps to grow, innovate and train at the same pace as our adversaries and advancing technologies. Through future-facing exercises and equipment modernization, the OHNG demonstrated what it means to stay one step ahead and to stand “Always Ready, Always There.”
Soldiers and Airmen of the OHNG train year-round to maintain readiness, but in 2025, two major efforts stood out. The Ohio Air National Guard conducted Live in ‘25, the first exercise in the organization’s history to bring all four wings together for a large-scale training at a non-military installation. In addition, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment sharpened their skills and integrated new equipment during an intensive annual training at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. These efforts showcased how the OHNG is modernizing and preparing for the demands of future combat.
Live in ‘25 was a five-day exercise held May 1-5, 2025, at Wilmington Air Park in Wilmington, Ohio. The exercise was a simulated deployment environment in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing OHANG members to experience real-world conditions they may encounter when facing a sophisticated adversary.
“The Airmen are experiencing things that they’ve never experienced before,” said Maj. Gen. David B. Johnson, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, during the exercise. “Typically, when we deploy, we go to an established base, and we have people that will defend the base for us. That’s not going to be the case in a contested environment.”
To heighten the realism of the exercise, a contingent of Soldiers from the Ohio Army National Guard served as opposing forces, or OPFOR, introducing a range of challenges for the Airmen throughout the exercise, including attempted base breaches, bombings, shootings and extensive intelligence collection. This addition created a dynamic, adversarial environment for Ohio Airmen to navigate.
“When we look at what the future of warfare is, we’ve got to think about how are we truly going to fight,” said Brig. Gen. Matthew S. Woodruff, Ohio adjutant general. “And Ohio being one of the largest states in our nation, with capabilities across the board from all four air wings that do very dynamic and diverse things, to our Army forces who spread across all different facets of the Army capabilities, they’re going to be integral in the fight.”
Live in ‘25 pushed OHANG members to adapt quickly and strengthen and refine their decision-making skills that would be needed to operate in high-threat environments. Exercises like this ensure that they aren’t just prepared for today’s challenges but are evolving into the warfighters the future fight will demand.
While Live in ‘25 showcased how Ohio’s Airmen were preparing for the demands of future conflict, Soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard were undergoing their own transformation. In July 2025, the 1-145th Armored Regiment took part in an intensive annual training period that focused on modernization, lethality and readiness. Their efforts highlighted how the Army National Guard is evolving.
The 1-145th’s annual training focused on building proficiency across armored, mechanized and reconnaissance mission sets. The regiment trained on their newly fielded equipment and vehicles, including the M1A2 Abrams main tank, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, RQ-28 drone and Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, while also completing Bradley Fighting Vehicle driver and gunnery training.
“It’s quite amazing how much we can do now and the capabilities that our Soldiers have and can take to the modern battlefield,” said Maj. Jim Woodward, battalion commander of the 1-145 Armored Regiment. “Through our collective training going on across the battalion right now, it’s rigorous and realistic training focused. So, we can operate in any element and any operational environment."
This modernization effort positioned the regiment as one of the most advanced and capable formations in the Army National Guard. Training at this level also ensures they maintain the same standard of readiness and effectiveness as their active-duty counterparts.
“First and foremost, it’s important that we are using technological advancements to stay ahead and have the overreach, or overmatch, of our near peer threats and our potential adversaries,” Woodward said. “On the second part, it’s to ensure we’re staying in alignment with our active-duty counterparts across the armored brigade combat team — (and) as an operational force in the National Guard, that we are also ready to respond to any threat that may arise.”
This rigorous annual training exemplified the unwavering dedication of its Soldiers. Day after day, they embraced the long hours and complex new systems. This was to not only master their craft, but to ensure the battalion remains ready to meet any mission standards.
“Our Soldiers are second to none, they continue to drive forward for success. They have a no fail mentality, and they never quit,” Woodward said. “No matter what arises, whatever adversary or adversity they may face in the battlefield, they’re going to be always ready and always prepared. Ohio does stand ready for whatever option may come.”
While Live in ‘25 and the 1-145th’s annual training were some of this year’s headline events, the rest of the Ohio National Guard never paused on its mission. Across the state, Soldiers and Airmen continued sharpening their skills and responding to real-world needs. A joint OHARNG-Ohio Cyber Reserve team supported the Guardian Justice operation by identifying and eliminating a network threat that saved a local entity from paying a $4 million ransom. And in September 2025, Ohio expanded global partnerships by adding Angola to the State Partnership Program, joining existing Ohio National Guard partners Hungary and Serbia. These efforts showcase that readiness isn’t isolated to just major exercises, it’s a constant commitment carried out across every corner of the force.
As 2025 progressed, the Ohio National Guard proved time and time again that readiness is a requirement it will always meet. Through large-scale exercises, modernization efforts and constant work behind the scenes, Ohio’s Soldiers, Airmen and State Defense Force members demonstrated their drive to stay ahead of emerging threats, as well as supporting their communities and partners at home and abroad. Their efforts reflect a force that refuses to stand still, one that will continually sharpen its edge for whatever comes next.
“The reality is that Ohio is ready. And Ohio continues to set the standard for the nation,” said retired Chief Master Sgt. Troy R. Taylor, former state command chief of the Ohio Air National Guard, who retired at the end of 2025. “We’re not waiting for answers, we’re executing. And we’re going to do this again and again and again, until it’s that day. If they decide to show up on the battlefield and test us, we are prepared and we will only get better from here.”
| Date Taken: | 12.10.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.30.2025 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 555304 |
| Location: | OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 147 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ohio National Guard: Year of readiness, modernization, by SSG Olivia Lauer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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