Wildfire Response

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National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
January 21, 2025 — LOS ANGELES – U.S. Army Sgt. Ricardo Hernandez watched from a cross street as sporadic traffic... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Bryce Carter, an infantryman with C Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, sharpens the blade of a hoe to clear brush and other debris as part of remediation efforts along the Mulholland Trail near Tarzana, California, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 18, 2025. Carter and other members of his unit were assisting CALFIRE in mop-up efforts, which included clearing brush and backfilling firebreaks and other areas to prevent mudslides and reduce the impact of firefighting efforts.

California Guardsman Helps Battle Wildfires in His Community
January 16, 2025 — CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. - Amid the wildfire crisis in California, an Air... MORE

Master Sgt. Alan Franklin, a commander's support Airman with the 146th Airlift Wing, speaks to 1st Lt. Aiden Flores about the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission on the flightline at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Jan. 13, 2025. MAFFS aircraft from the Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, the 152nd Airlift Wing, Reno, Nevada, the 146th Airlift Wing, Port Hueneme, California, and Air Force Reserve Command’s 302 AW, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, are working together to combat fires in the Los Angeles area.

National Guard Bureau Chief Thanks Firefighting Guardsmen
January 14, 2025 — CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. – The National Guard is part of a multi-agency... MORE

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, visit National Guard members supporting wildland firefighting in Southern California, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Calif., Jan. 11, 2025. Thousands of National Guardsmen are involved in multiple air and ground firefighting in the Los Angeles Basin and Southern California.

Wyoming, Nevada Guard Aircrews Assist California Firefighters
January 13, 2025 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Three Wyoming Air National Guard C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing load and install the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems onto a C-130H Hercules aircraft in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Jan. 10, 2025, in preparation to support firefighting efforts in the Los Angeles area.

California, Nevada, Wyoming Guard Join Firefighting Battle
January 10, 2025 — MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. - Hundreds of National Guard members are now involved in... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, at Moffett Air National Guard Base, Calif., prepare an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to help battle the Palisades Fire Jan. 9, 2025.

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Video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Robert Price

Let's Go! Nara Park

AFN Sasebo

July 31, 2019 | 1:00

190731-N-FQ994-001 NARA, Japan (July 31, 2019) Nara Deer are considered a national treasure in Japan, messengers to the Shinto gods, and a symbol for the city of Nara where they live. More than 1200 of these wild deer roam the city and live in the surrounding forest that covers about 2 square miles. Tourists can spot these wild deer relaxing on temple grounds and in the gardens. Let’s Go! to the surrounding forest known as Nara Park to visit these famous wild deer!

These deer are also known as Kasuaga Taisha Shrine shinroku or ‘shrine deer’. This name dates back to ancient times when the legendary deity Takemikazuchi no Mikoto came to Nara by riding on a white deer. The name stuck and the deer have become protected by groups who closely monitor their diet and breeding season. These wild deer are actually peaceful, and have learned from tourists how to bow in a way to ask for food. Local vendors sell shika senbei or “deer crackers” which are safe and widely accepted to feed to our animal companions.

Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital, and still houses significant temples and artwork dating back to the 8th century. Located less than an hour away from Kyoto and Osaka by train, tourists also visit Nara to see famous sites like the Tōdai-ji temple, Bronze Buddha, and the Nara National Museum. Let’s Go! (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert S. Price/Released)