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250412-N-ML137-1096 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark presents the Alexander Hamilton Award to U.S. Army Capt. Tom Borgonia, commander of the Security Forces VII Team Binadu, during an awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Complex, April 12. This is the first time in the award’s history that a non-artillery or air defense unit has been selected and is the first time a unit from the Guam Army National Guard has received this award. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1059 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) Raffaele M. Sgambelluri, senior advisor to Rep. James Moylan, presents a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to U.S. Army Capt. Tom Borgonia, commander of Security Forces VII Team Binadu, during an awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Complex, April 12. During the ceremony, U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1057 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) Raffaele M. Sgambelluri, senior advisor to Rep. James Moylan, presents a certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to U.S. Army Capt. Tom Borgonia, commander of Security Forces VII Team Binadu, during an awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Complex, April 12. During the ceremony, U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1036 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) From left; Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero; U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark; Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt, senior enlisted leader of USARPAC; and Lt. Col. Jonathan Stafford, commander of Task Force Talon; begin a unit awards ceremony by entering as the official party at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. During the ceremony, Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1184 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark speaks with Soldiers from B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment of the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, following a unit awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. During the ceremony, Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to the unit, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1001 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) Soldiers with B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, stand in formation during the opening of a unit awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. During the ceremony, U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to the unit, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1180 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark, Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Schmidt, senior enlisted leader of USARPAC, and Soldiers of B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, gather for a photo following a unit awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. During the ceremony, Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to the unit, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1084 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jonathan Stafford, commander of Task Force Talon, speaks during a unit awards ceremony recognizing B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, for winning the Alexander Hamilton Award at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. This achievement demonstrates how the integration of infantry forces with air defense capabilities, particularly in supporting Task Force Talons’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) mission, has become crucial for protecting strategic assets in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1136 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark speaks during a unit awards ceremony recognizing B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, for winning the Alexander Hamilton Award at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. The Alexander Hamilton Award recognizes the most outstanding Air Defense Artillery Reserve Component or Army National Guard Battery unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1118 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark speaks during a unit awards ceremony recognizing B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, for winning the Alexander Hamilton Award at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. The Alexander Hamilton Award, traditionally reserved for Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery units, stands as one of the Army’s most prestigious unit awards and recognizes exceptional mission performance, training excellence, and overall unit readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1113 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Brig. Gen. Patrick Costello, the commanding general of 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, speaks during a unit awards ceremony recognizing B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, for winning the Alexander Hamilton Award at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. The Alexander Hamilton Award was created in 2002 and is named after Continental Army Artilleryman and Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1033 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark adds his coin to a collection at a memorial for fallen service members before a unit awards ceremony at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. During the ceremony, Clark presented the Alexander Hamilton Award to B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment from the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, demonstrating the strategic importance of the island’s air defense mission and recognizing the vital role that traditional infantry units now play in supporting complex air defense operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
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250412-N-ML137-1166 BARRIGADA, Guam (April 12, 2025) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Ronald Clark meets with Soldiers from B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment of the Guam Army National Guard, or Team Binadu, following a unit awards ceremony recognizing the team winning the Alexander Hamilton Award at Guam National Guard Barrigada Readiness Center, April 12. The winning unit exemplifies the highest standards of military excellence and unit cohesion while maintaining superior mission readiness and community engagement. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
(Photo Credit: Petty Officer 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)VIEW ORIGINAL
BARRIGADA READINESS CENTER, Guam — In an unprecedented move, B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam National Guard, known as "Team Binadu," was awarded the prestigious Alexander Hamilton Award on April 12, 2025. The award, typically reserved for artillery units, recognizes the best Army National Guard unit across a range of criteria including mission performance, training excellence, and community impact.
Gen. Ronald P. Clark, U.S. Army Pacific commander, presented the award to the company, highlighting the evolving nature of warfare and the critical role infantry units now play in complex air defense operations.
"This company, despite winning an award that is normally reserved for an air defense formation, is vital and integral to the air defense mission," said Gen. Clark. "As the 94th AAMDC commander, Sea Dragon 6 Brig. Gen. Patrick Costello said, ‘we’re all air defenders when it comes down to it.’"
Team Binadu, whose name signifies the pack mentality of the local deer on Guam, distinguished themselves during their year-long mobilization in support of Task Force Talon, providing security for the THAAD battery on island.
Their accomplishments included rebuilding security infrastructure devastated by Typhoon Mawar, successfully deterring site incursions, and becoming the first unit to down a drone on U.S. soil using the FS-LIDS counter-UAS system.
"Their ability to use the FS-LIDS for example to down unmanned aerial systems is something that is a little bit different as we look at what a traditional infantry mission would be," said Gen. Clark. "Going forward, it really underscores the importance of our ability to leverage technology and capabilities to get after emerging threats."
Beyond their security mission, Team Binadu demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the local community. They organized supply drives for animal shelters, participated in numerous beach and memorial cleanups, and volunteered countless hours to help reopen schools damaged by Typhoon Mawar.
"Fit. Disciplined. Motivated. They embodied what’s best about our citizen Soldier and the National Guard, but just Soldiers in general," praised Gen. Clark. "That focus on the warrior ethos, lethality as their watchword."
This historic win underscores the strategic importance of Guam in the Indo-Pacific region and recognizes the dedication and adaptability of the Guam National Guard in facing evolving security challenges.
"Guam is the homeland," emphasized Gen. Clark. "Our ability to be able to defend the homeland from Guam with Soldiers who have skin in the game; it's their island, it's their families, it's their mission to defend the homeland and they’re doing it at such an exceptional level."
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