Innovation - Page 2

“Innovation is the fuel that drives readiness. It’s the difference between reacting to a threat and anticipating it. It’s the ability to turn a drone into a force multiplier, to harness artificial intelligence for real-time decision-making, or to transform a young Guardsman’s ‘back-of-the-napkin’ idea into a solution that makes us a more lethal force.” – General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau

National Guard Innovation Success

AATC Delivers Rapid KC-135 Modernization During Indo-Pacific Exercise

The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center, or AATC, demonstrated how warfighter-driven innovation rapidly transforms proven platforms into next-generation weapons systems during recent testing of advanced data systems aboard a KC-135 Stratotanker during Resolute Force Pacific 25 in the Indo-Pacific region, delivering critical Agile Combat Employment operations in contested environments. Read more about innovation

104th Fighter Wing Embraces Innovation With 3D Printing Capabilities

The 104th Fighter Wing is boosting efficiency and saving money by utilizing 3D printing to create custom tools and parts – like ammo containers and targeting pod cradles – that improve operations, enhance safety, and solve existing problems. Learn more

NGB Chief: Guard Seeks Reform, Innovation, Increased Lethality

In this era of complexity and uncertainty, innovation is not just an option for the National Guard — it's a necessity, Air Force Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, the National Guard Bureau chief, told the McAleese Defense Programs Conference last week in Washington, D.C. Read more about innovation

207th Aviation Troop Commmand, AKNG

Alaska Army National Guard Maj. Titus Rund spearheaded innovation by designing the Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) Ecosystem, a revolutionary casualty care system that creates a "bubble of warmth" to improve survival rates in extreme cold environments. Learn more

141st Air Refueling Wing, Washington Air National Guard

The 141st Air Refueling Wing innovatively achieved a historic first by successfully refueling a Russian-made SU-30MKM, adapting equipment and procedures to overcome the challenges of an unfamiliar aircraft type. Read more about innovation

Training at Northern Strike Continues Pursuit of Innovation Excellence

The Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center develops and tests new technologies, such as drones and advanced communication systems, through realistic exercises to enhance warfighting capabilities for all branches of the military. Read more about innovation

174th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard

The AATC, partnering with the 174th ATKW and 556th TES, demonstrated innovation by successfully testing an upgraded SATCOM system for the MQ-9 Reaper, significantly enhancing its global ISR capabilities and operational range. Read more about innovation

Lines of Effort:

1. NGB Integration into DoD Innovation Ecosystem/Governance. Continuous interaction between key DoD and OSD agencies allows NGB to position and leverage its unique capabilities to enhance DoD Innovation processes and simultaneously posture NGB Innovation to support the warfighter.

2. Enable States and NGB to identify gaps & provide advice to support Innovation efforts. J84I acts as the gateway bringing innovative ideas & solutions up from the states to NGB & convey CNGB’s initiatives for innovation to the states.

3. Partnering and fostering relationships with Academia, Industry and external partners. J84I is positioned to facilitate relationships and information sharing across industry, academia, and other external partners through technology, academic, and venture conferences and summits.

Latest Innovation News

Alaska Guard Doctor Creates Innovative Casualty Care System
February 28, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Historically, battles are won by the side that carries... MORE

Exercise Special Operations Forces Arctic Medic 2025 participants transport a simulated combat casualty using a CASEVAC Ecosystem sled prototype at Yukon Training Area, Alaska, Feb. 18, 2025. SOFAM 2025 prepares medics to operate in extreme cold.

Pennsylvania Guardsmen Graduate New Hospital Partnership Program
February 11, 2025 — HERSHEY, Pa. – Three Airmen with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing are... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Steven Thompson, left, and Tech. Sgt. Carlos Patino, assigned to Detachment 1, Medical Group, 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania National Guard, perform lifesaving techniques on simulated patients during a mass casualty exercise at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Feb. 7, 2025. These Airmen completed an inaugural two-week training program, which is a new partnership between the National Guard and MSHMC, where participants learn how to respond effectively in emergencies and combat situations.

Oregon Guard Combat Medics Test Drone Delivery of Supplies
February 6, 2025 — WARRENTON, Ore. - Combat medics with the Oregon National Guard are adapting their battlefield... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Day retrieves simulated blood supplies delivered by a blueflite drone while Sgt. Benjamin Keikkala provides security during a field training exercise at Camp Rilea, Oregon, Jan. 30, 2025. The innovative drone delivery system demonstrated rapid resupply capabilities for combat medics in tactical environments.

Alaska National Guard Fields Helicopter Engine Test Stand
December 12, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The 176th Maintenance Squadron marked the fielding of a... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Col. Joshua Armstrong, far left, 176th Wing commander, and Brig. Gen. Brian Kile, far right, Alaska Air National Guard commander, look on as, from center left to center right, Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Devries, 176th MXS Accessories Flight chief, Senior Master Sgt. Troy Freeman, 176th MXS Propulsion Flight supervisor, and Col. Michael Cummings, 176th Maintenance Group commander, cut a ceremonial ribbon Dec. 9, 2024, to mark the fielding of the Propulsion Flight’s T700 Flexible Engine Diagnostic System at JBER. The test stand will save time and money in diagnosing HH-60G Pave Hawk engine faults.

Washington Air Guard’s 141st Air Refueling Wing Makes Military History by Refueling Russian-Made Aircraft
November 13, 2024 — SHAH ALAM, Malaysia - A light drizzle falls over the tarmac at the Royal Malaysian Air Force, or... MORE

A Royal Malaysian Air Force SU-30MKM refuels from a 141st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker in the skies above Malaysia, November 13, 2024.

Training at Northern Strike Continues Pursuit of Innovation Excellence
September 13, 2024 — LANSING, Mich. - Founded in September 2020, the Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center, or... MORE

National Guard Bureau vice director programs and requirements, flies an unmanned aerial system during Exercise Northern Strike 2024-2 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 10, 2024.

Maryland Air Guardsman Wins Innovation Award
May 1, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - The Air National Guard has recognized a Maryland Air National Guard Airman for... MORE

Maryland Air National Guard Capt. Kerry Guy, 175th Wing contracting officer, poses for a photograph at Warfield Air National Guard Base, April 17, 2024, in Middle River, Maryland. Guy is the officer in charge of the 175th Wing Spark Cell, which was established in January 2022 and boasts over 60 members across 15 squadrons.

Air National Guard Officers Selected for Prestigious Fellowship
March 27, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - During Women’s History Month, the National Guard Bureau is proud to congratulate... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jen Warren, center, deputy director of AFWERX, stands with Air National Guard AFWERX fellowship recipients Lt. Col. Frances Romero, left, and Lt. Col. Cristi Campbell, right. Not pictured: U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Autumn Lorenz.

Air National Guard Crisis Team Recognized for Innovation
March 1, 2024 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - The Air National Guard Crisis Action Team was nominated for the 2024... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Katelyn S. Murphy, superintendent, Crisis Action Team, Air National Guard Readiness Center, National Guard Bureau, simulates gathering pertinent information on crises and events used to inform National Guard senior leaders, at the ANGRC, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Feb. 29, 2024. During event and crisis support, the CAT acts as the central Air Guard point of contact, providing enhanced operational continuity between commanders in the field and senior leaders at NGB.

National Guard Members Showcase Innovation
December 8, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2023 National Guard Bureau Innovation Challenge showcased the inventive prowess... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the CNGB, center left and center right, respectively, with competitors of the 2023 National Guard Bureau Innovation Challenge at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington Hall Station, Virginia, Dec. 7, 2023. Arizona Army National Guard members took home top honors for their concept of exportable maneuver live-fire capabilities that could help units achieve training requirements.

Innovation Resources

Announcements

Events

Branch Chief: Lt Col Cristi Campbell

Team Lead: Ms. Chierren Denman

Innovation Analyst: Ms. Katie Hudak