Innovation

“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

Massachusetts Guardsman Wins CENTCOM Innovation Contest
December 28, 2022 — WASHINGTON - Before deploying this summer with his Massachusetts Army National Guard unit, Sgt... MORE

Massachusetts Army National Guard Sgt. Mickey Reeve speaks to service members from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain about the importance of innovation in the military Nov. 22, 2022. Reeve recently won the U.S. Central Command’s Innovation Oasis contest and went on a world tour with CENTCOM leadership to discuss his experience.

Hokanson: Maintaining Joint Force Competitive Edge Requires Rapid Modernization, Innovation
November 3, 2022 — TUCSON, Ariz. – Modernization is a central priority for the Joint Force to preserve its competitive... MORE

A crew chief assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing taxis an F-35A Lightning II fifth generation aircraft assigned to the wing at the Vermont Air National Guard Base, South Burlington, Vermont, May 2, 2022. The aircraft departed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, to continue NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission along the Eastern Flank.

Deployed Massachusetts Guardsman Wins Innovation Competition
October 17, 2022 — TAMPA, Fla. – Massachusetts Army National Guard Sgt. Mickey Reeve won first place out of five... MORE

Sgt. Mickey Reeve, an infantryman with Bravo Company, 182nd Infantry, Massachusetts Army National Guard, won the inaugural Innovation Oasis competition at Central Command in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 14, 2022, for developing a Counter Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Trainer.

AI-powered app aims to discover talent in Guard, Reserve
May 20, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Members of the Reserve and National Guard are highly skilled across various... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ezekiel Wieland, 272nd Cyber Operations Squadron, 110th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard, participates in a cyber-warfare training event, Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Michigan, March 8, 2022.

Spark Cell brings innovation to 175th Wing
May 5, 2022 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - The 175th Wing was the first Air National Guard wing to be awarded funding for... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Winter, 175th Force Support Squadron commander and field grade officer adviser, speaks with Joe Grigg, CyberWinter Studios founder, about the best practices for the CyberWinter Studios program the 175th Wing will be using in the future. The CyberWinter Studios is the first funded program from the 175th Spark Cell.

National Guard members pitch innovation
May 2, 2022 — SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. – On March 14, through Academia, Industry, Military, Hybrid... MORE

Michigan Air National Guard leaders from various units attend a Michigan Air National Guard and Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center Pitch Day, where Guard members proposed solutions to problems, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, April 14, 2022.

Portland Air National Guard Base puts robot dog to work
April 15, 2022 — PORTLAND, Ore. - In December 2021, the Portland Air National Guard Base became the first Air... MORE

A Quadrupedal Unmanned Ground Vehicle, or "robot dog," goes for a test run at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., March 5, 2022. The QUGV is the most recent addition to the 142nd Security Forces Squadron.

176th Maintenance Group opens Virtual Reality Training Lab
January 4, 2022 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – The 176th Maintenance Group opened its innovative Virtual... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Esdei Arurang, 176 Maintenance Group unit training manager, launches a training module at the 176th MXG Virtual Reality Training Lab at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 4, 2021. The lab is one of the first facilities of its kind in the Air National Guard, and the innovative training allows Airmen to familiarize themselves with infrequent maintenance procedures.

Innovation nothing new to Fabrication Flight Arctic Guardian
October 7, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Before he ever put on a uniform, Alaska Air National Guard... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Shawn McDermott, an aircraft metals technician with the 176th Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight, operates a consumer-grade 3D printer Sept. 28, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s Arctic Spark Innovation Lab. In the course of his regular duties, McDermott operates industrial-grade 3D printers to fabricate parts for 176th Wing’s aircraft.

INNG app connects Guardsmen, families to what they need
March 18, 2021 — INDIANAPOLIS – A new smartphone app efficiently connects Indiana National Guardsmen, their families... MORE

A flyer promotes the Indiana National Guard's new smartphone application. The app connects Indiana National Guardsmen, their families and anyone else interested in the organization to services and information, ranging from job vacancies and education benefits to unit updates.

Innovation Resources

Announcements

Events

Branch Chief: Lt Col Cristi Campbell

Innovation Analyst: Ms. Chierren Denman