Guard News - The National Guard

Colorado Hoist Rescue team, CONG partner to save lives
October 7, 2020 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado Hoist Rescue Team and Colorado National Guard partnered to change how the military performs hoist rescues.This innovation shortens the time required for a helicopter... MORE

A Colorado Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Army Aviation Support Facility, Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, approaches a member of the Alpine Rescue Team and an injured climber in Rocky Mountain National Park Aug. 30, 2019. The Colorado Hoist Rescue Team provides hoist extraction capability throughout Colorado by incorporating civilian alpine rescue personnel and military helicopter capabilities.

167th Airmen provide COVID-19 testing and other support
October 6, 2020 — MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Since early on in the global pandemic, the 167th Airlift Wing has supported West Virginia COVID-19 response efforts with manpower, resources and time.The 167th Medical Group... MORE

Master Sgt. Matthew Stickley, Maj. Lori Wyatt, Master Sgt. Jordan Killebrew, and 1st Lt. Hannah Staubs prepare COVID-19 nasal swab testing kits at the West Virginia University Student Recreation Center, Morgantown, W. Va., Sept. 30, 2020. The Airmen are assigned to West Virginia National Guard’s task force medical team, which has been assisting county health departments throughout the state during the pandemic.

Indiana National Guard activates cyber battalion
October 6, 2020 — INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana National Guard hosted an activation ceremony for the 127th Cyber Protection Battalion Oct. 3 at the Indiana War Memorial. The battalion of nearly 100 Citizen-Soldiers... MORE

1st Sgt. John Stickler uncases one of Indiana National Guard’s new 127th Cyber Protection Battalion guidons at the Indiana War Memorial Oct. 3, 2020. The battalion of nearly 100 Citizen-Soldiers protects military networks and service members from internet-based and online attacks.

New York National Guard honors 21st president
October 5, 2020 — MENANDS, New York – New York Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Michel Natali marked the 191st birthday of President Chester Arthur, the 21st president, during a ceremony at his grave at Albany Rural... MORE

New York Army National Guard Soldiers forming a color guard move into position during a ceremony saluting President Chester Arthur, the 21st president of the United States, at his burial site in Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York, on Oct. 5, 2020. The current occupant of the White House sends a wreath to mark the gravesites of former presidents on their birthdays. The wreath is presented by a military leader. Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, Army, of the New York National Guard, presented the wreath.

117th Space Battalion shifts to 100th Missile Defense Brigade
October 5, 2020 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Two of the more unique Army National Guard units aligned Oct. 1. The 100th Missile Defense Brigade was assigned administrative and operational command and control of the... MORE

Army Col. Mike Hatfield, the commander of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade, right, and Lt. Col. Michael Lane, the commander of the 117th Space Battalion, unfurl the colors of the 117th Space Battalion during a ceremony at Fort Carson, Colorado, to signify a command relationship change. The 117th is now assigned to the 100th for administrative and operational command and control as part of a larger Colorado Army National Guard realignment.

Exercise Northern Strike 21 planning underway in Michigan
October 5, 2020 — GRAYLING, Mich. – For nearly a decade, Northern Strike (NS) has brought thousands of military members from multiple service branches, states and countries together, all in the name of building joint... MORE

Camp Grayling hosts a pre-deployment site survey, attended by more than 30 representatives from multiple services and states, to demonstrate the base’s training capabilities. Maj. Quinn Rodgers, director of operations for Camp Grayling, showcased the base’s 148,000 acres of training space.

Alaska Air National Guard assists Mat-Su Valley kitchen
October 5, 2020 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Since mid-August, Alaska Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 176th Force Support Flight Sustainment Services have volunteered their time to assist the Five... MORE

From left to right, Alaska Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Brayden Van Bevera, Airman 1st Class Fionna Kelty, Tech Sgt. Allen Wilson and Senior Airman Alex Choi, all members of the 176th Force Support Flight Sustainment Services, cut fresh produce at the Five Loaves, Two Fish Kitchen in Wasilla, Alaska, Sept. 25, 2020. The Airmen have been volunteering at the kitchen since mid-August, preparing an average of 150 meals per week for non-profit organizations.

New York National Guard, Brazil share COVID-19 experiences
October 2, 2020 — LATHAM, N.Y. – New York was one of the states impacted the most by the COVID-19 pandemic, so New York National Guard members passed on lessons learned in mitigating the virus to their Brazilian... MORE

Maj. Amy Crounse, New York National Guard State Partnership Program officer, begins a videoconference with representatives from Brazil to discuss how the two sides responded to COVID-19, New York National Guard Headquarters, Latham, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2020. The New York Guard and Brazil's military work together under the State Partnership Program.

Wisconsin Guard 'Badgers' help fight California fires
October 2, 2020 — FRESNO, Calif. – It took almost four days for two flight teams from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 1st Battalion (Assault), 147th Aviation Regiment, 64th Troop Command, to fly their UH-60 Black... MORE

Members of 1st Battalion (Assault), 147th Aviation Regiment, 64th Troop Command, Wisconsin Army National Guard, at the Exeter helicopter bases Sept. 30, 2020, before a mission during the SQF Complex Fire in Tulare County, California. Left to right: Sgt. Jake Baranczyk, crew chief; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trevor Clock, pilot; Sgt. Bryson Kamps, crew chief; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Wickland, pilot in command.

Nevada Air Guard continues firefighting mission
October 2, 2020 — RENO, Nevada – Military aerial firefighting units, including the "High Rollers" of the Nevada Air National Guard, have dropped more than 1 million gallons of fire retardant so far this fire... MORE

Maj. Gen. Ondra L. Berry, adjutant general for Nevada, visited Airmen assigned to the 152nd Airlift Wing performing MAFFS missions supporting California firefighters at Sacramento McClellan Airport, California Aug. 31, 2020. Berry was accompanied by leadership from the Nevada Air National Guard and Nevada Army National Guard.

Alaska Army Guard aviator conducts first real-world rescue
October 1, 2020 — ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul Gillquist woke up for his weekend training Sept. 13, expecting to perform a routine training mission aboard his UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. For three... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul Gillquist, an Alaska Army National Guard pilot assigned to the 207th Aviation Regiment, in front of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, Aug. 22, 2020, at the Bryant Army Airfield on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Gillquist’s call sign is "Icy 13," and he happened to perform his first real-world rescue mission on Sept. 13, 2020.

Guard suicides drop but outreach programs continue, expand
October 1, 2020 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The suicide rate in the National Guard declined last year, according to the Department of Defense’s 2019 Annual Suicide Report, but Air Force Maj. Gen. Dawne Deskins said more work... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. John Bigham, a Missouri Air National Guard maintenance superintendent with the 139th Airlift Wing, listens to a speaker during a “Resilience Tactical Pause” day at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri. The event was focused on personal resiliency and suicide prevention.

Oklahoma Guard cybersecurity team wins national competition
October 1, 2020 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard cybersecurity team took top honors Sept. 18-19 at the online 2020 NetWars Cyber Shield competition with National Guard and Reserve teams from 22 states.The... MORE

From left to right with the Oklahoma National Guard defensive cyber operations element, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Tyson Joachims, Capt. Danny Slusarchuck, Sgt. Sean Singley, Staff Sgt. Rick Raper, Sgt. Brandon Dixon, and Tech Sgt. Craig Brown, mission defense team noncommissioned officer in charge with the 137th Special Operations Communications Flight, won the online 2020 NetWars Cyber Shield competition Sept. 18-19, 2020.

West Virginia Guard aircrew helps fight California fires
October 1, 2020 — CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Four members of the West Virginia National Guard’s Company C, 1-150th Assault Battalion, are flying aerial wildland firefighting missions to help combat massive northern California... MORE

Maj. Evan Dale, Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Kearns, Staff Sgt. Ed Dillon, and Spc. Jack DeAngelo of the West Virginia National Guard’s Company C, 1-150th Assault Battalion, deployed to California in September 2020 to perform aerial woodland firefighting missions and will remain through at least Oct. 15, 2020.

Wyoming National Guard hosts Tunisian Air Force in SPP event
October 1, 2020 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming National Guard hosted an Aviation Familiarization (FAM) with the Tunisian Air Force Sept. 13-25 as part of the National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP). The... MORE

Members from the Tunisian Air Force and Wyoming National Guard in front of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at the Army Aviation Support Facility on F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyo., Sept. 16, 2020. The Tunisians attended the Aviation Familiarization Event hosted by the Wyoming National Guard under the State Partnership Program. =

Oregon Guard Sharpens Combat Skills Before Deployment

Alaska Army Guard, Marine Corps Enhance Aviation Tactics

Guard Chief Visits Pennsylvania Guard, Aviation Training Site

Kentucky, Tennessee Win Regional Best Warrior Competition

Ohio Guard Air Control Squadron Trains with NATO Partners