HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS! | |
Idaho National Guard News | |
The Idaho National Guard State Retiree Outreach program held its annual Retiree Appreciation Day at Gowen Field. Sept. 28 . The event, which was open to all military retirees and their guests, offered an opportunity to explore available resources, events, benefits and more. We extend our thanks to everyone who attended, and look forward to seeing you at at the Retiree Appreciation Ball in February 2025. | |
The State of Idaho celebrated and thanked U.S. Military Veterans at Boise’s annual Idaho Veterans Parade held in the streets of downtown Boise, Nov. 2. Thank you Veterans for your service, we salute you. | |
Idaho Army National Guard Fields Latest Artillery Platform
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BOISE, Idaho - The 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment, Idaho Army National Guard, has upgraded its combat capability with 18 new Paladin M109A7 next-generation artillery systems.
The regiment conducted its first live-fire exercises using the long-range guns in September at the Orchard Combat Training Center.
The new Bradley Fighting Vehicle chassis-mounted howitzer includes upgrades that increase ammunition capacity, rate of fire and mobility on the battlefield while decreasing maintenance requirements.
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Family, friends and coworkers gathered on Gowen Field on Aug. 22, 2024, to say farewell to Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard’s 1st of the 183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion as they left Idaho to prepare to deploy overseas in support of Operation Joint Guardian.
“I have complete confidence that you will carry out this mission successfully and return home safely,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan, adjutant general of Idaho and commander of the Idaho National Guard. “You are among the finest Soldiers and your commitment to duty and to each other will see you through. We will continue to support you from here, and we look forward to welcoming you back home with pride and honor.”
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Idaho National Guard’s Helicopter Battalion deploys to Kosovo | | |
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GOWEN FIELD, Idaho — The Idaho National Guard now offers free on-site child care to Guardsmen during drill weekends at Gowen Field as part of a pilot program. The program aims to help families balance child care and training. | |
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BOISE, Idaho - The next phase in Idaho Army National Guard modernization efforts began Oct. 23 with the arrival of a new HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at Gowen Field. It is the first of six to be delivered over the next six to eight months.
The HH-60M is the medical evacuation version of the UH-60M Black Hawk and will replace the Idaho Army National Guard’s fleet of UH-60L helicopters, which frequently support local and state agency search and rescue missions. The Idaho Army National Guard completed the upgrade of its utility helicopter fleet to the UH-60M in 2022.
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Idaho National Guard Gets 1st HH-60M Black Hawk Helicopter | |
The Idaho National Guard's Honor Guard paid tribute to retired Brig. Gen John W. Baker during a funeral ceremony held in his honor Oct. 16. After nearly 30 years of service to the Idaho National Guard, Baker retired from his position as the regimental commander of the 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment in October 1986. Brig. Gen. Shannon Smith, commander of the Idaho Air National Guard, presented an American flag to Baker's wife, Geraldine, during the ceremony. | |
On October 8th, CSM William "Randy" Stuart passed away after a brief illness. He joined the National Guard in 1972, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major before retiring in 2012. He served with 145th Support Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade, and Joint Force Headquarters prior to his retirement. In accordance with Randy's wishes, there will be no funeral services. | |
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DECEMBER 2024
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1st-20th - Stocking Stuffer Giveaway (Post Falls, Lewiston, Pocatello, Idaho Falls)
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7th - Pre-Retirement Brief (Gowen) / Pics with Santa (Post Falls, Lewiston)
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12th - Gowen Food Box Giveaway / North Idaho Retiree & Veteran Outreach Social
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12th-14th, 16th-20th - Stocking Stuffer Giveaway (Boise)
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14th - North Pole Breakfast (Idaho Falls) / Kids Holiday Party (Gowen)
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18th - Gowen Retiree Social
JANUARY 2025
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7th (Jan 7th-Feb 19th) - Financial Peace University (Gowen)
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9th - Food Box Giveaway (Gowen) / North Idaho Retiree & Veteran Outreach Social
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11th - Pre-Retirement Brief (Gowen)
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15th - Gowen Retiree Social
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29th-30th - VITA Tax Assistance (Gowen/virtual)
FEBRUARY 2025
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1st - Pre-Retirement Brief (Gowen)
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5th-6th, 12th-13th, 15th, 16th-20th, 26th-27th - VITA Tax Assistance (Gowen/ virtual)
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13th - Gowen Food Box Giveaway / North Idaho Retiree & Veteran Outreach Social
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15th - Retiree Appreciation Day Sweet Heart Ball (Boise)
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19th - Gowen Retiree Social
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities | | |
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Save the date! Tuesday, DEC. 17th from 4:30-7:00, get your pictures taken with Santa and his festive HMMWV! Bring your kids, bring your pets, and don't forget to bring your camera! Join us for treats, crafts, and holiday fun. Leave with some pretty cool photos and a load of stocking stuffers! Open to military and Veteran families. | |
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Tis the season to be Joyful.
Camouflage Christmas 2024 is here.
Veteran Tags are available at Sutler Market, the Rally Point Club & Events, and or via email to Jessica@idngmwr.com
ALL gifts must be delivered to the MWR @ The Rally Point Club & Events on or before Tuesday 10-December.
Volunteers needed on Monday 16-December @ 1000 to load up all the gifts and deliver them to the Idaho State Veterans Home.
The Christmas Party with our Veterans is on Thursday 19-December and they do love when the Idaho National Guard joins them. This is RSVP only so as not to overwhelm the veterans, and to ensure our hosts are prepared.
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Valuable Information for you to Know | |
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IMPORTANT TRICARE INFO
TRICARE Enrollment Freeze and Scheduled milConnect and Beneficiary Web Enrollment Outage Beginning Oct. 25: What To Know
It’s almost time for TRICARE Open Season, which begins Nov. 11. That means you should check your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System as soon as possible.
There will be limitations for beneficiaries from Oct. 25 to Dec. 31. The first impact will be Oct. 25–27, when there will be a global enrollment freeze on any TRICARE health plan enrollment changes. Between Oct. 28 and Dec. 31, there will also be limitations to the Beneficiary Web Enrollment self-service portal.
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A message from your Retiree Outreach Coordinator about New information for retirees concerning TRICARE benefits as of 1 January 2025:
TriWest Healthcare Alliance will replace Health Net Federal Services.
Beneficiaries in the West Region should:
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Before Oct. 25, 2024: Confirm your information in DEERS. This will help make sure you don’t miss important communications about your TRICARE benefit and upcoming changes.
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By Dec. 31, 2024: Do you pay enrollment or premium payments by credit card or bank transfer? You’ll will need to transfer your payment information in the TriWest self-service patient portal. Get started at tricare.mil/west.
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Starting Nov. 11, 2024: Go to tricare.mil/west to see if your providers are in the TriWest network.
If you have questions, please call me and I will do my best to assist with this. You can always call the new provider @ (888) 874-9387.
Bill Fackler (208) 272-3815
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The Idaho National Guard provides no-cost legal assistance to Retirees through judge advocates serving in the Idaho Air and Army National Guard. Individuals requesting legal assistance are encouraged to contact the Military Division Office of Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA) to fill out a client intake form and schedule an interview with an attorney. For further information and filling out the client intake form, please visit the OSJA legal assistance website available at https://www.imd.idaho.gov/legal-assistance/. | |
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A Message from the Idaho National Guard Personal Financial Counselor about Free Tax Preparation
“The leaves are falling in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. There is a smell of pumpkin spice on the air and the shopping centers are pulling out the Christmas decorations. That can mean only one thing…. we need to prepare for the 2024 Tax Season.
There are several options for accurate, FREE tax preparation on Gowen Field and virtually across the state.
*The first option is to visit the Gowen Field, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Clinics and have your taxes prepared for you by volunteers trained in Advanced and Military Tax Law. The VITA clinic days and hours of operation will be posted in early January. If you have a military affiliation (including Veteran & Retiree status), you may use the FREE VITA Tax assistance clinics. With walk-in and scheduled appointments available, the VITA site will be sure to accurately and professionally complete and electronically file your Federal and State taxes.
*The second option is to prepare your own taxes using Military One Source, H&R Block online free tax software. The Deluxe H&R Block premium software is FREE to currently serving members of the military and their families. Keep an eye out on the Military One Source website as the tax software portal opens near the end of January.
*The Financial Counselor on Gowen Field is the third tax preparation option. With an email or a phone call you can schedule an appointment to have the financial counselor sit down with you, accurately enter tax data, and educate you on the tax process. Using the IRS TaxSlayer software, the H&R Block software, or a tax software of your choice you will leave the appointment understanding the tax system and with peace of mind that your taxes are accurately filed and complete.
Each of the three filing options are completely FREE which saves you $150 - $500+ in tax preparation. With the money you save on tax preparation, you might be able to enjoy a couple pumpkin lattes while decorating for the holidays.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Gowen Field Personal Financial Counselor, Jennifer Wood, AFC® with questions or concerns. 208-272-8332 or jennifer.m.wood26.ctr@army.mil
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Caring for America’s Heroes
Our Mission. We are dedicated to serving Idaho’s veterans and their families by providing superior advocacy, excellent assistance with benefits and education, high quality long-term care, and respectful interment services in a dignified final resting place.
Our Values. Compassion for All, Unending Accountability, Absolute Integrity, Outstanding Communication, Dignity for Everyone, Unconditional Honesty
Our Goals. Provide high quality advocacy and benefit assistance for all Idaho veterans and their families. Provide superior long-term care and enhanced quality of life for all Idaho State Veterans Home residents. Ensure high quality, well managed education and training programs for Idaho veterans. Operate with efficiency, innovation and adaptability.
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Preview our Resources of Care Booklet with valuable information for you! | | | | |
