The Minnesota National Guard is a state-based military force of more than 13,000 soldiers and airmen, serving in 61 communities across the state. Operated in the U.S. state of Minnesota, it is reserve component of the National Guard.
A Red Bull soldier in Iraq
The annual training period of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 34th Infantry Division culminated with the Domestic Operations competition testing flight crew abilities at sling and water bucket operations on July 21, 2010.
A C-130H of the 133rd Airlift Wing flying along the shore of Mille Lacs Lake in northern Minnesota during a training mission
An F-16C Fighting Falcon sits tethered to the hot cargo pad at Joint Base Balad, Iraq in the early morning of New Year's Eve 2008. The aircraft is tethered to secure it in place prior to a full afterburner engine run-up.
Camp Ripley is a 53,000-acre (210Â km2) military and civilian training facility operated by the Minnesota National Guard near the city of Little Falls in the central part of the state. The location of the camp was selected in 1929 by Ellard A. Walsh, Adjutant General of the State of Minnesota. The site's winter warfare training course is the primary facility used by the National Guard for winter combat exercises. Camp Ripley also hosts the training academy for the Minnesota State Patrol and is a popular site for athletes training to compete in winter biathlons. Most Minnesota Guard soldiers train at Camp Ripley during two-week annual training periods.
Instructor gives an Officer Candidate tactical advice during a training exercise at Camp Ripley
One of Camp Ripley's ranges
An Observer/Controller-Trainer conducts a formal After-action review for a Reserve unit
