Latest news with #Hronek
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Montana National Guard general to retire in June, Governor names replacement
Major General Pete Hronek, the Adjutant General for the Montana National Guard visited troops at Fort Harrison during a training exercise with sister Guard units and the Special Operations community on February 27th, 2025. Montana training facilities offer unique opportunities for out of state units to conduct high altitude, mountain warfare, and cold weather training. Joint partnerships such as these enhance the readiness of the Montana National Guard by sharing information and practices across the force allowing our Soldiers to deploy anywhere at any time. Photos courtesy of SSG Billy Topaz and SGT Preston Stevens, 103rd Public Affairs Detachment. Major General J Peter Hronek, the Adjutant General of Montana's National Guard, will retire on June 7, following a 40-year military career. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Tuesday announced the leadership change at the Department of Military Affairs, and the appointment of Col. Trenton J. Gibson as the new adjutant general for the state, the highest ranking state military officer. 'I'm grateful to General Hronek for his service to the State of Montana. Under his leadership, the men and women of the Montana National Guard have had a true public servant guiding them and their efforts,' Gianforte said in a press release. 'From helping Montanans recover from disasters to recruiting Montanans to serve their country as a member of the Guard, General Hronek has served Montana with steadfast dedication. I wish him great success as he embarks on this next chapter of his life.' Gianforte appointed Hronek in December 2020 following a stint serving in Washington D.C. Hronek began his military career as a pilot in 1985 and has been with the Montana National Guard since 1986. He served three combat tours in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. 'I have been honored to lead the outstanding soldiers, airmen, and Department of Military Affairs professionals. I am so proud to see them empowered and ready to serve at the next level. They have enhanced their missions and brought on new capabilities to our nation and state. As a result of our efforts, the Montana National Guard is in a better position than ever before to recruit and retain our members,' Hronek said in a press release. Following Hronek's retirement next month, Gibson will take over as the leader of Montana's military force. Gibson, according to the state's press release, began his military career with the Montana National Guard in 1995 and currently commands the 1889th Montana Army National Guard Regional Support Group in Butte. He also has served as director for the Montana National Guard Youth Challenge Academy since 2018. 'I thank Major General Hronek for his honorable service to our state and nation and his steadfast leadership of the Montana National Guard. I appreciate Governor Gianforte offering me the honor and privilege of serving in this capacity,' Colonel Gibson said. 'The Montana National Guard and the Department of Military Affairs are home to exceptional professionals, and I have been blessed to serve in both organizations for over 25 years. I also thank my family for their support and sacrifice as I step into this critical role.' The Montana National Guard comprises 2,290 soldiers stationed in 16 different communities across Montana. Montana's National Guard has been in the news recently after three Army National Guard members were cited for criminal trespassing after allegedly landing a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter on private property near the Crazy Mountains. The Big Timber Pioneer first reported on the incident, in which the guardsmen collected elk antlers and a skeletonized head with antlers, according to the Sweet Grass County sheriff's office. The Montana National Guard said the troops had been on a training flight from Billings to Helena, and turned over the antlers to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. One of the three guardsman charged with misdemeanor trespassing is also a Montana Highway Patrol trooper. In a statement about the alleged incident last week, Hronek said an internal investigation was underway. 'If true, this behavior does not align with the values of the Montana National Guard. Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana,' Hronek said. 'Every member of the Montana National Guard is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and respect for the law.' A spokesperson for the governor's office said Hronek's retirement is 'in no way related to the current events of the department.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Montana National Guard Under Investigation After Allegedly Using a Helicopter to Steal Shed Antlers
The chief administrative officer for the Montana National Guard has acknowledged some starting allegations involving multiple servicemen, stolen shed antlers, and an unauthorized helicopter landing on a private ranch. In a statement shared to Facebook Wednesday, Major General J. Peter Hronek said he was aware of the alleged incident and supported the investigation that is underway. 'Appropriate adverse and/or administrative actions will take place if the allegations are determined to be true,' Hronek wrote on Facebook around 3 p.m. on May 14. 'If true, this behavior does not align with the values of the Montana National Guard.' The incident allegedly took place on a private ranch in Sweet Grass County near the foothills of the Crazy Mountains, according to the Big Timber Pioneer, which first broke the story Tuesday. The news outlet says the incident was first reported by ranchers David and Sandy Holman, who called a neighboring rancher after seeing a Blackhawk helicopter landing conspicuously on a neighboring parcel. 'Do you know there is an Army helicopter on your land picking up elk antlers?' the Holmans told the neighboring rancher, Linda McMullin, according to the Pioneer. McMullen, who said she knows how valuable elk antlers are, called a game warden with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and the agency has confirmed that it is actively investigating the situation. No citations or charges have been filed yet in Sweet Grass County Court, but the county sheriff speculated that trespassing and theft could theoretically be on the table. 'It's not the usual trespass call,' he told the Pioneer. 'I've never seen anything like this before.' In his statement Wednesday, Hronek noted the ongoing investigation by MFWP. This had previously been confirmed by another National Guard official, state public affairs officer Major Ryan Finnegan, who gave some additional insight into the allegations and seemed to imply that the airmen had landed on the private ranch to pick up sheds. Read Next: Thieves Are Stealing More and More Racks From Hunters in the West — and Their Profits Keep Growing 'I had a chance to talk to our senior pilot who was in contact with the landowner,' Finnegan told reporters. 'Sounds like they have spoken twice. He reached out to ask to be able to give an in-person apology and to coordinate returning the items.' McMullen also confirmed with reporters that she had spoken with a National Guard official after the alleged incident took place. She said the official told her they would meet in person to bring back the antlers, and then asked her not to press charges. McMullen said 'they should have thought about' what it might mean for their military career before they decided to go through with it. 'Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana,' General Hronek said of the allegations. 'Every member of the Montana National Guard is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and respect for the law.'
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top Five At 30 (28): The Canucks' Top Five Performers In The Second Half Of February 2025
Welcome back to another instalment of Top Five at 15/30 (or in this case, 28). Last time, we looked at the Vancouver Canucks' top performers from January 31 to February 15. This time, we'll be looking at the best performances from players throughout the last half of February. Here are the top five Canucks for February 16 to 28, 2025. Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site: Canucks Prospect Romani Hits Goal-Scoring Milestone In The OHL Report: Canucks Noah Juulsen Potentially Out For The Season Why Using Brock Boeser As A Rental Will Negatively Impact The Canucks In The Future Most notable game: February 23 vs. Utah Hockey Club Points since the 15th: 0G, 0A in 4GP We've got a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of Myers and Pius Suter have the Hronek leads the #Canucks with 7:18 of ice Šilovs made a pair of highlight-reel saves and stopped all six shots that he faced. — Canucks Insider (@CanucksInsider) February 28, 2025 This very easily could have been Tyler Myers after his performance last night. However, during Quinn Hughes' six-game absence, it was Filip Hronek who had to shoulder the bulk of his defensive partner's responsibilities. With Hughes out of the lineup, Hronek did not log less than 23:20 minutes in a single game, with his highest being 27:33 in the team's match against the Vegas Golden Knights. In the six Hughes-less games, Hronek played the most power play minutes of all players with 22:18 over this span of time. Most notable game: February 26 vs. L.A. Kings Points since the 15th: 1G, 0A in 4GP 🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨Nils Hoglander opens the scoring with a beautiful goal! 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canucks #GoKingsGo — CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) February 27, 2025 Despite only having one goal since February started, Nils Höglander has been one of the team's steadiest forwards in terms of producing offensive chances for Vancouver. He is currently third on the team in 5-on-5 xGF with 1.79 and is sporting an xGF% of 45.34. During all situations, Höglander has an xGF of 3.27 and an xGF% of 46.70. He was put on the same line as Elias Pettersson for the team's game against the Kings, and since then, the two have put up an xGF% of 41.95. Most notable game: February 26 vs. L.A. Kings Points since the 15th: 2G, 1A in 4GP CONOR GARLAND. OT HERO. 🙌 Garland's second of the game wins it for the @canucks in @Energizer overtime! — NHL (@NHL) February 27, 2025 Conor Garland helped steal a game for the Canucks against a division rival, bringing the team back above the playoff bar. His two goals against the Kings served as the difference maker, with one of his tallies coming with only 30 seconds left in overtime. He also collected an assist on Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks, adding to a now four-game point streak against Anaheim. Currently, he has the fourth highest minutes-played of all forwards in the past four games with 68 total minutes played. Most notable game: February 23 vs. Utah Hockey Club Points since the 15th: 2G, 0A in 4GP Jake DeBrusk's shot chart this is doing a good job travelling downhill from the left side at five-on-five and is excellent around the net at both five-on-five and on the power play. — 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥🎙️ (@ChrisFaber39) February 27, 2025 In Vancouver's first two games back from the 4 Natons Face-Off break, Jake DeBrusk was responsible for all of the Canucks' offense. He scored the team's lone goals against both the Golden Knights and Utah Hockey Club. While on the man-advantage during the past four games, he has registered 8:48 minutes and has racked up an xGF of 1.43. He currently has an xGF% of 94.76 on the power play. Most notable game: February 22 vs. Vegas Golden Knights Record since the 15th: 1–1–0 Kevin Lankinen makes a couple big stops late in the 2nd period. 🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canucks #GoKingsGo — CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) February 27, 2025 Kevin Lankinen is having a great stretch of hockey while coming off a busy 4 Nations Face-Off. The most recently signed Canuck, locked in long-term for at least the next five years, Lankinen is the team's current starter. Despite the team's slow start coming out of the break, Lankinen has not been to blame for these, as he has faced a total of 60 shots in two games since the season resumed. In his two starts, he has registered a 1.97 GAA and a .933 SV%. Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
