Florida State Guard

We are humbled by the opportunity to serve our state. Thank you @GovRonDeSantis and the members of the legislature for your continued support.

1 week until hurricane season. Florida’s strongest defense starts with preparation before the storm. Take action now: • Finalize your emergency plans • Charge backup power sources • Prepare important documents • Check on family, neighbors, and pets When severe weather threatens Florida, the Florida State Guard stands ready to serve. Stay alert. Stay prepared. Stay informed on storms and tips for preparation through trusted sources, such as @FLSERT and your county’s emergency management.

This Memorial Day, we honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and their legacy continues to inspire generations of Americans. As we gather with family and friends this weekend, we remember those who never made the journey home. We honor their courage. We remember their sacrifice. We will never forget.

Last week, Florida State Guard soldiers conducted emergency response training alongside partners from @MyFWC and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco’s Bureau of Law Enforcement @FloridaDBPR. Training included: • Safe vehicle recovery • Chainsaw operations • Debris removal • UTV transport and driving Through strong interagency partnerships and shared training opportunities, Florida’s public safety agencies stay prepared to respond when disasters impact our communities. Readiness through training. Strength through partnership.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins in 2 weeks. Your preparation should not wait until a storm is on the radar. Now is the time to: • Review your emergency plans • Build or restock your disaster supply kit • Know your evacuation zone • Stay informed through trusted sources, such as @FLSERT and your county’s emergency management. The Florida State Guard stands ready to support disaster response operations across the state when called upon. Preparedness saves lives. Florida, make your storm plan today

New in the Florida State Guard newsroom: FSG aerial surveillance strengthens wildfire response across North Florida. READ MORE: floridastateguard.org/post/florida-s…

Over the past week, the Florida State Guard (FSG) Maritime Response Squadron (MRS) rapidly provided water rescues and life-saving aid to distressed civilians in Florida’s waterways: During three incidents, MRS crews rescued exhausted swimmers who had become separated from their vessels and were unable to fight the strong current and prevailing winds. Through the deployment of lifelines and safety ladders, the swimmers were recovered and transported back to their vessels injury-free. The most critical life-saving event occurred during the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, where an individual suffered potentially catastrophic propeller-strike injuries. The MRS crew immediately responded and boarded the vessel, initiated emergency care on the severely wounded individual, and coordinated with @browardsheriff, Broward County Fire Rescue, and the @USCG for emergency medevac response. Be it on the water, in the air or on land, FSG is committed to keeping Florida’s residents and visitors safe.

Expanded Community Coordination. An America 250 Celebration. MRS supported the 2026 Air Dot Show Tour at Fort Lauderdale Beach. Two Metal Shark teams supported the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's maritime operations. Together, the two agencies protected over 300,000 attendees celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary with elite aerial performances from the Air Force Thunderbirds, SOCOM Para-Commandos, and more.

T-1 Month Until Hurricane Season. Prepare Today. FSG Soldiers partnered with Jefferson County Emergency Management and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to distribute disaster preparedness supplies to the local community. We don’t wait for disasters, and neither should you. Follow the Florida Division of Emergency Management to learn more.

Full-scale integration. Real-world readiness. Florida State Guard units participated in HURREX, a statewide hurricane simulation exercise, in partnership with state and local emergency response agencies. This exercise tested coordination, communication, and operational response under simulated storm conditions, further complicated by a high-profile, international sporting event. Together, FSG Soldiers served as force multipliers, strengthening rapid emergency response. Preparation happens before the storm. Readiness is built through training.

Explore the Outdoors, FSG attends the Florida Outdoor Expo. FSG staff and members of the Aviation Response Squadron (ARS) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) team participated in the 2026 Florida Outdoor Expo, connecting with more than 20,000 attendees, offering interactions with FSG equipment, and providing attendees with a better understanding of who FSG soldiers are and the agency's capabilities during moments of crisis. Public engagement strengthens awareness of the Guard’s mission and capabilities across the state.

Congratulations to our newest members of the Florida State Guard! Today, we celebrate the completion of IET 26-01 with a formal graduation ceremony attended by over 200 community leaders, training partners, family, and friends. Following a three-week training course, these Soldiers built a foundation in emergency response and humanitarian aid. Following graduation, each member will be assigned to one of our four units: Crisis Response Battalion, Maritime Response Squadron, Aviation Response Squadron, and the Special Missions Unit. At each unit, they will continue follow-on training with specialized skills in support of their unit’s Mission Essential Task List. The Florida State Guard continues to build a capable, disciplined force ready to respond when Florida needs it most.

Trained. Tested. Ready. Over the weekend, Alpha and Bravo Companies of the Florida State Guard’s IET 26-01 recruiting class completed the culminating exercise. This intensive, immersive, and comprehensive training event tests each recruit on their skills in basic ground and maritime vehicle maneuvering, first aid and medical evacuations, point-of-distribution operations, land navigation, humanitarian aid, and additional emergency response skill sets. Our recruits earned the honor of wearing the FSG patch. In less than a week, they will earn the honor and responsibility of becoming Florida State Guard Soldiers.

The Florida State Guard was proud to attend the Taylor County Emergency Management Pre-Hurricane Preparedness Event, where our UAS, CRB and MRS teams joined in connecting with the community and sharing valuable emergency readiness information. Building strong partnerships and helping Floridians prepare before the storm is part of our mission. Ready to serve, ready to respond.

IET 26-01 is pushing hard toward the finish line! Florida State Guard recruits have spent the past weeks sharpening their skills through intensive training days—mastering equipment familiarization and operations, learning chainsaw techniques, executing water rescue training, and so much more. Their dedication is showing, and with only 6 days left until graduation, these recruits are proving what commitment to service truly looks like. When Disaster Calls, We Answer.

The Florida State Guard aircraft remain on mission as wildfire activity continues to evolve across Florida, most recently in Clay and Putnam Counties. Our fixed wing and rotary-wing crews are actively covering wide sections of the state—mapping fire lines, confirming new flareups, and relaying real time photos, video, and GPS tagged intel to support ongoing ground and air suppression efforts. Close coordination with Air Traffic Control ensures our teams can stay ahead of rapidly changing conditions and help protect the communities in the path of these fires. When Disaster Calls, We Answer. @PutnamCountyEM @ClayCounty_EM @RepJudsonSapp

Over the weekend, our UAS team participated in a comprehensive training session designed to strengthen operational readiness and ensure our pilots stay current with evolving technology and safety standards. The hands-on coursework covered flight operations, scenario‑based practice, and equipment familiarization, giving the team valuable experience they’ll carry into real‑world missions. We’re proud of the time and dedication our team continues to invest in building capability and elevating the quality of service we provide. When Disaster Calls, We Answer: floridastateguard.org/called @JasonShoafFL, @csime90

The Florida State Guard Maritime Response Squadron participated in a dual-operation mission, supporting community engagement at a Pasco Sheriff's Office meet and greet and airboat familiarization event, while also providing safety oversight during the Madeira Beach Intercoastal Waterway Swim. Strengthening partnerships and ensuring public safety—on every shoreline. By Florida, for Florida. Answer the call: floridastateguard.org/called @PascoSheriff, @atjeffholcomb, @repmaggard, @KevinSteeleFL

IET 26-01 recruits are moving from the classroom to the field. This week, Alpha and Bravo Companies trained on Tactical Emergency Casualty Care, CPR, radio communications, map reading, land navigation, and trailer maneuvering — the hands-on skills critical to disaster response operations. This weekend, both companies head to Cecil Field Aquatics Center for water survival and rescue training. @judsonsapp @jenn_bradley @Clay_Yarborough When Florida calls, our Soldiers will be ready: floridastateguard.org/called