Guard News - The National Guard

2025 Marks Historic Year for Guard Members
December 23, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. – For many Guard members, 2025 was a busy year.Soldiers and Airmen deployed overseas. They took part in missions along the southern border. Teams responded to natural disasters and... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Josh Lapooh, a special warfare tactical air control party Airman assigned to the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, trains on close air support operations at Saylor Creek Bombing Range, Idaho, Dec. 16, 2025.

Illinois Guard’s 725th Transportation Company Kept European Command Fueled
December 23, 2025 — MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. – About 160 Soldiers of the Illinois Army National Guard’s Machesney Park-based 725th Transportation Company celebrated a deployment to U.S. European Command in which the unit... MORE

Multiple Illinois Army National Guard 725th Transportation Company Soldiers were awarded military medals ranging from Meritorious Service Medals to Army Achievement Medals during the unit’s Welcome Home ceremony, Dec. 13, 2025, at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, Ill.

Air National Guard Touts Key Changes After Record-Setting Recruitment Year
December 23, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard's most successful recruiting year, with nearly 12,000 new members in fiscal year 2025, coincides with a major restructuring of its operations to better support... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brittany Fralick, a production recruiter with the 108th Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, center, is honored with a sabre salute during the Operation Blue Suit banquet at the Hidden Gem in New Braunfels, Texas, March 27, 2025.

New York Air Guard Supports NORAD's Annual Santa Tracking Operation on Christmas Eve
December 22, 2025 — ROME, N.Y. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command defends the North American airspace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and includes the New York Air Guard members of the... MORE

New York Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome, New York, prepare for their Santa Tracking on Christmas Eve as part of their North American Aerospace Defense Command mission on Dec. 19, 2025.

Michigan National Guard Hosts Sierra Leone to Strengthen New Partnership
December 19, 2025 — LANSING, Mich.— The partnership between the Michigan National Guard and Sierra Leone recently marked another significant step forward in the Department of War National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Engel, Warrant Officer 1 Courtney Topper, Warrant Officer 1 Jacob Shumway, Warrant Officer 1 Alex G. Sama, chief of logistics for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, and Maj. Edward K. John pose for a photo during a Department of War National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program engagement in Michigan, December 2024.

National Guard Responds to Historic Flooding in Western Washington
December 19, 2025 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As rivers overtopped banks and levees failed across western Washington, the Washington National Guard launched one of its largest and fastest flood responses in recent memory,... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 303rd Cavalry Regiment, 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard fill sand bags in Sedro Woolley, Wash., Dec. 11, 2025

Operation Santa Comes to Anchorage, Spreads Holiday Cheer for Western Alaskans
December 19, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — For nearly 70 years, the Alaska National Guard has worked with partner agencies to spread holiday cheer to rural Alaskan communities through Operation Santa... MORE

Members of the Alaska Air and Army National Guard and the Department of Homeland Security, along with volunteers from the Salvation Army and the Alaska National Guard Child and Youth Program, hosted families from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok during Operation Santa Claus 2025 at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, Alaska, on Dec. 14, 2025.

California Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing Hoists Woman From Cruise Ship
December 19, 2025 — MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – A 79-year-old cruise ship passenger found unresponsive Dec. 16 is back on land following a high-risk overnight rescue by the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue... MORE

Three Pararescue Airmen from the 131st Rescue Squadron, 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, at left in orange, join for a group photo at Moffett Air National Guard Base in Mountain View with HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter aircrew members from the 129th Rescue Squadron, early in the morning of Dec. 17 after rescuing a woman with a medical emergency from the Ruby Princess cruise ship 130 nautical miles southwest of San Francisco.

Louisiana Guard’s Youth Challenge Program’s 130 Cadets Graduate
December 19, 2025 — PINEVILLE, La. – One hundred thirty cadets graduated from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth Challenge Program Class 2025-1 during a Dec. 13 ceremony at the Randolph Riverfront Center in Alexandria,... MORE

Cadets from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth Challenge Program Class 2025-1 prepare for a graduation ceremony at the Randolph Riverfront Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, on Dec. 13, 2025.

Kentucky Guard Instructors Train Florida Guard Members Overseas
December 19, 2025 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – For four multiple launch rocket system crewmember instructors from the Kentucky Army National Guard, being asked to share their long-range artillery expertise at Wendell H. Ford... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class David Hughes instructs Soldiers how to properly connect the cables between the pod and launcher during a military occupational specialty transition course at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Oct. 31-Nov. 16, 2025.

Ohio Guard Soldiers on Patrol in DC Provide Life-Saving Aid to Motorist
December 18, 2025 — WASHINGTON – On Dec. 12, U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 323rd Military Police Company, Ohio Army National Guard, were conducting a routine patrol near the Potomac Avenue Metro station in... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 323rd Military Police Company, Ohio Army National Guard, are recognized for lifesaving actions at the Potomac Avenue Metro station in Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2025.

Pennsylvania Guard Conducts Soldier Borne Sensor Drone Training
December 18, 2025 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Infantry cadre assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, or RTI, conducted Soldier Borne Sensor, or SBS,... MORE

U.S. Army infantry cadre assigned to 1st Battalion, 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, Pennsylvania Army National Guard conduct Soldier Borne Sensor training at Fort Indiantown Gap Dec. 9-11, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to modernize small-unit reconnaissance and prepare instructors for future unmanned aircraft system integration.

Maryland Guard Cyber Teams Build Momentum in Protecting Statewide Networks
December 17, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Maryland National Guard cyber teams are a key part of a statewide task force focused on a “whole of government approach” to cybersecurity efforts and ways to enhance cyber... MORE

Maryland Air National Guard 1st Lt. Parker Herman, a cyberspace operations officer assigned to the 175th Communications Squadron, provides mentorship to Staff Sgt. Brian Bedford and Staff Sgt. John Himpler, nondestructive inspection specialists assigned to the 175th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, during the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group Capture the Flag event, Dec. 5, 2025, at Martin State Air National Guard Base, Maryland.

Guam and Hawaii Guards Strengthen Ties at Philippine Reservist Convention
December 17, 2025 — MAKATI CITY, Philippines — Senior leaders from the Guam and Hawaii National Guards joined more than 4,500 Filipino reservists and administrators for the 2nd National Convention of the Association of... MORE

Leaders from the Guam and Hawaii National Guards stand alongside Reserve Commanders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the 2nd ARRAPI National Convention in Makati City, Dec. 8, 2025.

New York Air Guard Activates C-17 Combined Test Force
December 17, 2025 — STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – This fall, the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing activated a C-17 Combined Test Force responsible for the development, testing and fielding of... MORE

The 105th Airlift Wing’s C-17 Combined Test Force tests five electric ground power units at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, Aug. 12, 2025.

Louisiana Guard Holds Departure Ceremony Before Deployment
December 17, 2025 — NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard’s A Battery, 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, held a departure ceremony at the 1-141st Field Artillery... MORE

Soldiers assigned to A Battery, 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, load their gear and board buses following a departure ceremony at the 1-141st Field Artillery Battalion Armory on Jackson Barracks, Dec. 14, 2025.

Ohio Guard’s 123rd Air Control Squadron Returns From Deployment
December 16, 2025 — BLUE ASH, Ohio – Nearly 300 Airmen assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s 123rd Air Control Squadron and their families crammed into the auditorium at the University of Cincinnati’s Muntz Hall Dec. 7... MORE

U.S Air Force Airman 1st Class Christopher Shannon holds his niece, Grace Shannon, after a homecoming ceremony Dec. 7, 2025, at the University of Cincinnati's Muntz Hall in Blue Ash, Ohio.

Pennsylvania Guard Mobilizes for Europe Deployment
December 15, 2025 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Ten Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, or MPAD, were honored during a deployment ceremony Dec. 13 at the Keystone... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard are honored during a departure ceremony at the Keystone Conference Center at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Dec. 13, 2025.

Alaska Guard’s Snowstorm Response Inspires Local Police Officer to Enlist
December 12, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — What began as a chance encounter during a severe Yakutat snowstorm set Spc. Brad Adams on an unexpected path to the Alaska Army National Guard and toward a... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Brad Adams, assigned to the 297th Infantry Battalion’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company and his team ruck march into town after landing in Tuntutuliak, Nov. 13, 2025

National Guard Mobilizes in Support of Floods in Western Washington
December 11, 2025 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As catastrophic flooding continues to cause damage across the state, the Washington National Guard will mobilize up to 300 personnel to help local agencies respond to the ongoing... MORE

Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general, Washington National Guard, talks during a news conference with Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson and Robert Ezelle, director of the Washington Emergency Management Division at the State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray, Wash., Dec. 10, 2025.