Wildfires Banner Graphic

Home : Features : 2025 : Wildfire Response
Latest News
National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
January 21, 2025
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
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
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
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
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.

 

Latest Photos
2025 Wildfire Response

 

Latest Videos
Video by Capt. Mark Halliday, Spc. Jose Lopez Xique
Grand Prairie-based Army Reserve unit holds Soldier’s memorial
Army Reserve Careers Group
Feb. 16, 2023 | 5:02
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – The 12th Battalion, Army Reserve Careers Group held a memorial service
Thursday, Feb. 16 for an Army Reserve soldier at the Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex. The
unit’s soldiers honored Master Sgt. Jason R. Powell, who died Dec. 3, 2022, after a battle with cancer.

Mater Sgt Powell “was a man of his word and never compromised his integrity” said Lt. Col.
Brian Weimer, the battalion commander. “And most importantly, he always looked out for the welfare of
his Soldiers and constantly put the needs of his teammates before his own.”

Approximately 50 members of 12th Battalion, Army Reserve Careers Group, were present at the
ceremony, which was followed by a solemn procession as soldiers filed past the battlefield cross,
comprised of a pair of boots, rifle, helmet, and dog tags, to render honors to the fallen soldier
individually.

Sgt. 1st Class Wayne Hughes, a close friend and comrade, spoke during the ceremony and
expressed his respect for Master Sgt. Powell.

“(Master Sgt. Powell) had a wide range of experience and knowledge,” Hughes said.
“Master Sgt. Powell was a mentor to me. He helped me learn the job, taught me a lot about life, and I
really do appreciate it".

Maj. Walter McCall, Senior Chaplain of the U.S. Army South Central Chaplain Recruiting Team,
delivered the invocation and spoke during the ceremony, expressing his impressions after reading an
anonymous tribute to Master Sgt. Powell.

“I was able to see the measure of the man he was, and how his influence will continue to move
forward in the lives of those he touched’” McCall said. “The Army has lost a great Warrior who clearly
understood the pride and responsibility of wearing this uniform and serving our Country.”

Master Sgt. Powell served 29 years in the United States Marine Corps, The Army National Guard
and the United States Army, performed a combat tour in Afghanistan, and is an Army Commendation
Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal recipient. He is survived by his wife and four children.
More