Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing has been named the 2012 Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Flying Unit. It's the third time the 148th has received the annual award.

Nearly three dozen members of the Minnesota National Guard's 133rd Airlift Wing are being deployed for six months. They'll focus on building infrastructure and communication lines.

The U.S. Air Force designation means active duty personnel can train and work with National Guard airmen at the base. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar says the designation will increase economic activity in the Duluth area.

A crowd of 200 people turned up in St. Cloud Friday to show their support for 53 soldiers heading off to Afghanistan. The C Company 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard will be deployed for a year to provide medical evacuation support for UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

The privately-owned Russian MiG-21 fighter jet rolled off the runway Thursday morning while attempting to land in Eden Prairie. The pilot was reportedly treated for minor injuries at the scene. He was flying in for this weekend's Wings of the North 2012 AirExpo at the Flying Cloud Airport.