“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
 
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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
National Guard members pitch innovation
May 2, 2022
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
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
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
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
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.
Michigan National Guard think tank boosts Latvian partnership
March 17, 2021
Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the Latvian National Armed Forces conduct close air support training with U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 107th Fighter Squadron, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., at Grayling Aerial Gunnery Range in Waters, Mich., October 29, 2019. Michigan and Latvia have been linked under the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program since 1993.
NYAG member seeks innovation to support today's warfighter
January 25, 2021
New York Air National Guard 1st Lt. Ryan Scadlock, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance officer assigned to the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, 107th Attack Wing, works remotely during an AF Ventures fellowship due to COVID-19 safety precautions. The program is designed to increase the quality of technology-proficient Airmen while maintaining long-lasting relationships between the Air Force and the private sector.
Massachusetts Airmen recognized for innovation
November 16, 2020
Master Sgt. Leo Burbee, 104th Maintenance Group structural maintenance supervisor, and Master Sgt. Bob Oleksak, 104MXG fabrication element supervisor, stand at attention after receiving the Air Force Achievement Medal during a ceremony Nov. 14, 2020, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.
Innovation funds help Nebraska National Guard firefighters
October 28, 2020
Firefighters Michael Budke and Craig Behrens, 155th Civil Engineering Squadron, run through a realistic fire scenario on a pump operations simulator Oct. 15, 2020, at Nebraska National Guard airbase in Lincoln, Nebraska. The squadron bought the simulator with the aid of U.S. Air Force innovation funds.
149 FW uses STRATFI program to scale additive manufacturing
October 22, 2020
Texas National Guard Staff Sgt. Joshua Turner, 149th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technician, moves a newly delivered 3D printer into place at his unit’s shop Aug. 12, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

 

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Branch Chief: Lt Col Cristi Campbell

Team Lead: Ms. Chierren Denman

Innovation Analyst: Ms. Katie Hudak