Utah National Guard

This weekend marks a significant milestone in the Utah National Guard as Brig. Gen. Shawn Fuellenbach, assistant adjutant general, passes the colors and relinquishes command of the Utah Army National Guard to Col. Andrew Owens.

During Fuellenbach’s time as the AAG, the Utah Army National Guard grew significantly, including standing up the first infantry battalion in Utah in over 100 years.

As Owens takes command, we look forward to building on this momentum and continuing the excellence that is the trademark of the Utah National Guard.

📰 Read the full story here -> https://www.dvidshub.net/news/567056/utah-army-national-guard-welcomes-new-assistant-adjutant-general-during-change-command-ceremony

The Utah National Guard proudly hosted the 64th Annual Bronze Minuteman Awards at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, recognizing community leaders, employers, and advocates whose unwavering support strengthens our Guard members, their families, and our mission.

The Bronze Minuteman Award is one of the National Guard's highest honors presented to civilians who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting service members and fostering strong partnerships between the military and the communities we serve.

This year's ceremony celebrated the enduring relationship between the Utah National Guard and the citizens, businesses, and organizations that stand beside us. Their commitment helps ensure our Soldiers and Airmen can successfully balance military service, civilian careers, and family life while remaining ready to answer the call at home and abroad.

Thank you to all of this year's honorees for your continued support, leadership, and service to our state and nation.

📰 Read the full story here -> https://www.dvidshub.net/news/567017/utah-national-guard-honors-six-leaders-64th-annual-bronze-minuteman-awards

The Utah Army National Guard unveiled the newly built Nephi Readiness Center to the public June 2, 2026. The building brings a permanent Utah Army National Guard presence back to Nephi for the first time since 1994, providing a strategic location for disaster response in Utah and a permanent home to both the 1457th Engineering Battalion and the 115th Engineer Facility Detachment.

Many people attended the open house, including community members, community leaders, Soldiers and leaders from the Utah National Guard. Brig. Gen. Keir Scoubes, the Land Component Commander for the Army, spoke during the ceremony before the open house started.

“For more than 30 years, the Utah Army National Guard has not had a permanent home in Nephi,” Scoubes said. “Today, that changes. Today, we come home.”

Scoubes described the readiness center as a visible representation of who the National Guard is and what is valued as an organization.

“One of the greatest traits of the National Guard is that we serve both our nation and our state,” he said.

Scoubes pointed out that the Soldiers who train in the Utah Army National Guard are also community members. They are neighbors, coworkers, friends and they have their own families in addition to being U.S. Army Soldiers and the Utah Army National Guard.

Read the full story here -> https://dvidshub.net/r/n2p9um

On 1 June 1956, the Utah National Guard took a major step toward developing its own future leaders by establishing the Utah Military Academy at Camp Williams. Originally created as an Officer Candidate School (OCS), the academy was designed to develop qualified officers for the Utah Army National Guard at a time when resources were limited, and candidates often supplied much of their own equipment and training materials. Under the leadership of its first commandant, Lt. Col. Dale F. Sorenson, the program combined summer camps, weekend drills, and demanding leadership training to prepare citizen-soldiers for commissions as Second Lieutenants. Over the decades, graduates of the academy would go on to serve not only in the Utah National Guard but also throughout the Army, Army Reserve, and active-duty forces around the world.

The academy continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the force. In December 1973, it expanded beyond officer development by adding a Non-Commissioned Officer School, which provided leadership education for enlisted Soldiers. Training focused on military leadership, small-unit tactics, instruction methods, administration, and professional development. What began in a handful of World War II-era buildings at Camp Williams gradually grew into a respected institution known for producing capable leaders at every level. Today, the legacy of the Utah Military Academy lives on through the Regional Training Institute at Camp Williams, where generations of Utah Guardsmen continue to develop the skills, discipline, and leadership needed to serve their state and nation.

A new chapter begins for the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

This weekend, Col. Andrew Owens passed the guidon to Lt. Col. Blake Bingham during a Change of Command Ceremony at Camp Williams. The ceremony celebrated the incredible accomplishments of the brigade under Owens' leadership—from a historic deployment to the Horn of Africa to the integration of Utah's first infantry battalion in more than 100 years—and welcomed Bingham as he takes the helm.

The mission remains the same: building ready, resilient Soldiers who are prepared to answer the call whenever and wherever they're needed.

📖 Read the full story to learn more about the brigade's achievements, leadership transition, and what's ahead for the 204th MEB.

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/566585/204th-maneuver-enhancement-brigade-welcomes-lt-col-blake-bingham-incoming-commander

Always Ready, Always There.

PRESS RELEASE

Utah National Guard to Open New Nephi Readiness Center June 2 DRAPER, Utah – The Utah Army National Guard will officially open its new Nephi Readiness Center located at 2378 West Airport Lane, Nephi, Utah, June 2, 2026, returning a permanent National Guard presence to the community for the first time in more than 30 years. The readiness center will be the home of the 1457th Engineer Battalion.

The open house will mark completion of the $27 million, 55,000-square-foot facility designed to support engineer units and enhance emergency response capabilities in central Utah. Additionally, a groundbreaking ceremony will take place to introduce a new maintenance facility to support the unit. “This project represents years of planning and perseverance,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Thalman. “The new readiness center provides modern facilities capable of supporting today’s Soldiers and mission requirements.”

The readiness center includes geothermal systems, backup generators, a self-contained septic system, and enhanced earthquake resistance to support continued operations during emergencies and disaster response missions.

Event Details: June 2, 2026, 2 – 4 p.m.: Open house and groundbreaking ceremony, Nephi Readiness Center (2378 West Airport Lane, Nephi, Utah).
Open to the public.

Media Notes: For more information or media inquiries, please contact Lt. Col. Tambra West at [email protected] or 801-432-4407

This year marks the 75th anniversary of a defining moment in the history of the Utah National Guard’s 213th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. During the Korean War, the battalion found itself exposed and outnumbered in the Gapyeong Valley, yet its soldiers refused to break under impossible odds.

In May 1951, during the communist spring offensive, IX Corps launched “Task Force Spoiler” to regain lost ground. On May 23, United Nations forces advanced into the Valley, supported by the 213th. Over three days, the battalion fired thousands of artillery rounds in support of the offensive, but the rapid advance left the unit dangerously exposed.

Recognizing the threat, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Frank Dalley ordered his men to dig in, distribute extra ammunition, and prepare for attack, warning them, “No one sleeps tonight.”

In the early hours of May 27, a Chinese regiment nearly 4,000 strong attempted to break out of the canyon and ran directly into the waiting artillerymen of the 213th.

Soldiers from Headquarters Battery and Battery A, quickly established defensive positions and engaged the enemy with small arms and direct fire from their self-propelled howitzers. Fierce fighting, including hand-to-hand combat, continued through the night, but the 213th held its ground against overwhelming numbers. The battalion is estimated to have killed more than 100 enemy soldiers and wounded more than 200 while suffering no significant friendly casualties.

At dawn, Capt. Ray Cox led a combat patrol up the canyon using an M-7 self-propelled artillery gun as a makeshift tank. The patrol destroyed enemy positions and helped force the remaining Chinese troops to surrender under relentless artillery fire.

The actions of the 213th resulted in the capture of 831 enemy prisoners and hundreds of enemy casualties. Though many soldiers were injured, every member of the battalion returned home. For its extraordinary courage and determination at Gapyeong, the 213th was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.

. Spencer J. Cox awarded servicemembers of the year from across the state on May 19, 2025, at the Utah State Capitol for their contributions to Utah. Three Utah National Guardsmen were awarded in the day’s ceremony:

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Neil Barlow 1-211 Aviation Regiment
Master Sgt. Derek Creek 151st Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Sgt. Charles Ward 144 Medical Company (represented by Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Nielsen).

Thank you for your dedicated service - we are proud to have you on our team! One Team. One Fight!