Latest news with #MontanaNationalGuard
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.'
USA Today
20-05-2025
- USA Today
'Are you joking?' Montana National Guardsmen accused of landing Black Hawk for elk antlers
'Are you joking?' Montana National Guardsmen accused of landing Black Hawk for elk antlers The charges stem from a May 4 incident in which the men are accused of landing the UH-60 Black Hawk on a private ranch near Melville. A defense attorney says the men are innocent until proven guilty. Three members of the Montana National Guard are facing trespassing charges after authorities say they landed a Black Hawk helicopter on a ranch to collect elk antlers. The guardsmen are identified as: 30-year-old Michael Vincent Bray, 30-year-old Perry Wray Woodland, and 36-year-od Deni Lynn Draper. They face charges of misdemeanor criminal trespassing in Sweet Grass County Justice Court with an appearance in court scheduled for May 28, Bray's lawyer, Nathan Hulling. told USA TODAY on Tuesday. The charges stem from a May 4 incident in which the guardsmen are accused of landing the UH-60 Black Hawk on the ranch of Linda McMullen near Melville, approximately 80 miles northeast of Bozeman, multiple media outlets have reported. Bray's citation alleges he was the one to land the helicopter, the Big Timber Pioneer reported. The Montana National Guard confirmed to USA TODAY that the guardsmen were on a training flight from Billings to Helena and that four elk antlers have been returned to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg told the Pioneer that "it is not the usual trespass call." "I've never seen anything like it before," he told the outlet. Hulling said that Bray intends to plead not guilty and that the guardsmen are "innocent until proven guilty." "We are at the very beginning of the judicial criminal process so there's still a ton of fact-finding to be done," Hulling said. National Guard investigating alleged trespassing Major General J. Peter Hronek, the adjutant general for the Montana National Guard, said in a May 14 statement on Facebook that an internal investigation is 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 wrote. Ronneberg said in a news release that sheriff's office, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and the Sweet Grass County Attorney's Office are working in to determine if other charges will be filed. What happened on Linda McMullen's ranch? McMullen told the New York Times that a neighbor spotted the helicopter land on her property while she was traveling in Nevada. 'He said, 'Linda, there's a green Army helicopter landed on your place, picking up elk antlers,'' McMullen told the Times. 'I said, 'Are you joking?' He said, 'I'm looking at them with binoculars.'' McMullen told the Pioneer that she spoke to a high-level National Guard official who promised to return the antlers and requested that she not press charges. "They used the excuse, 'These are good guys,' that I don't want to ruin their careers," McMullen said. "They should have thought about that before doing this. I think people need to know this is happening." She added that she felt the incident was "an egregious violation of trust in our government," according to the Times. McMullen did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Elk antlers are listed on Claw, Antler and Hide Co. for a retail price between $96 and $308, with one set selling for $453. The Times reported that a freshly shed brown antler can sell for up to $14 a pound and weigh as much as 12 pounds. Attorney: Guardsmen deserve benefit of the doubt Hulling pointed to his client's "long and distinguished service history." "We need to give them the benefit of the doubt and we need to let the justice system play out, which is why we're entering a not guilty plea," Hulling said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Brickbat: Rack Them Up
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks charged three members of the state National Guard with criminal trespassing. The guardsmen landed a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in a pasture on private ranch land in Sweet Grass County's Crazy Mountain foothills without permission and reportedly stole elk antlers, including two sheds and a skeletonized head with antlers, valued at $300 to $400. J. Peter Hronek, the Montana National Guard's adjutant general, acknowledged the unauthorized landing and promised accountability. The post Brickbat: Rack Them Up appeared first on
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Guard helo trespassed on Montana ranch to take deer antlers: citation
Three Montana Army National Guard members face trespassing charges after authorities said they landed a Black Hawk helicopter in a mountain pasture on a private ranch to take several elk antlers before flying away. A witness saw the May 4 landing and the person who owns the property reported it to officials, who tracked down the three guard members, Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg said Thursday. The guardsmen had been on a training flight from the city of Billings to Helena, the state capital, said Major Ryan Finnegan with the Montana National Guard. The helicopter landed briefly in the pasture located in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains, where the crew members picked up two individual antlers and an old elk skull with antlers still attached, the sheriff said. Elk antlers — which grow and drop off male animals annually — are highly prized and can be sold by the pound. They also are collected from the wild as keepsakes. The antlers and skull taken by the guardsmen were worth a combined $300 to $400, according to Ronneberg. They were later turned over to a state game warden. Trespassers taking antlers from private land is not uncommon in Montana and other western states. 'This an odd one,' Ronneberg said. 'Usually somebody parks on the side of the road and crosses into private ground and picks up a shed,' he said, referring to an antler that's been shed by an elk. Citations issued to two of the guardsmen said they 'entered posted private property that was posted as trespassing for the purpose of elk antler removal.' The citation for the third again mentioned trespassing and also that 'subject landed military helicopter on private property.' The Sweet Grass County Attorney and Sheriff's Office are considering additional charges related to the taking of the antlers themselves but no decision has been made, Ronneberg said. He said those discussions center on whether the antlers were the property of the landowners. An attorney for one of the guardsmen, Michael Vincent Bray of East Helena, Montana, said Friday that Bray and the others had served their country honorably for many years and were 'innocent until proven guilty.' 'In cases like this that get highly publicized, we all seem to forget that principal,' said the attorney, Nathan Hulling. Guardsmen Perry Wray Woodland of Great Falls and Deni Lynn Draper of Clancy could not be reached. They face charges of criminal misdemeanor trespass, which comes with a $185 fine, and do not have to appear in court, said Greg Lemon with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Taking antlers from state-owned land is legal in Montana for people with an $8 state conservation license, Lemon said. Montana National Guard Adjutant General J. Peter Hronek said in a statement he was aware of the case and it was being investigated. 'Appropriate adverse and/or administrative action will take place if the allegations are determined to be true,' Hronek said. 'Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana.' Finnegan said a Montana National Guard representative reached out to the owner of the ranch 'to provide an update and coordinate for an in person return of the items.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Helicopter Trespassing: Charges Filed Against MT National Guardsmen in Blackhawk Antler Case
Three Montana Army National Guardsmen face criminal charges after landing a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on private property to collect elk antlers. The incident took place on May 4, 2025, in the Crazy Mountains north of Big Timber, Montana. The Guardsmen allegedly landed the military helicopter without permission on a posted ranch property in Sweet Grass County. The crew picked up two elk antlers and an elk skull with antlers attached. A nearby witness saw the helicopter land and reported the activity to the property owner. Authorities estimated the value of the antlers at $300 to $400. The crew later surrendered the antlers to a state game warden. Officials charged Michael Vincent Bray, 30, of Helena; Perry Wray Woodland, 30, of Great Falls; and Deni Lynn Draper, 36, of Clancy with misdemeanor criminal trespass. One citation specifically noted the unauthorized helicopter landing. Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to $500, six months in jail, or both. All three are scheduled to appear in court on May 28. Officials are also reviewing whether to add charges related to antler possession. A spokesperson for the Montana National Guard confirmed an internal investigation is underway. The Guard has not disclosed the purpose of the flight or whether the landing had any official sanction. The Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard issued a statement condemning any misuse of military equipment and said appropriate disciplinary action will follow if misconduct is confirmed. The property owner, 71-year-old Linda McMullen, declined an offer from the National Guard to return the antlers and expressed concern about the incident. 'They used the excuse these are good guys, that I don't want to ruin their careers,' she said. 'They should have thought about that before doing this. I think people need to know this is happening.' The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks continues to lead the investigation. No further comments have been released. Montana National Guard Investigates Alleged Unauthorized Blackhawk Helicopter Landing, Antler Theft
