“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
AI, Drones Help Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Speed Up Artillery Missions
August 8, 2025
U.S. Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division operate an unmanned aerial system and call for artillery fire during a demonstration at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 28, 2025. The Soldiers and representatives from Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute demonstrated Project Shrike, an AI-enabled system for rapid target recognition and fire adjustment, by integrating drones and artillery during live-fire training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Travis Mueller)
AATC Delivers Rapid KC-135 Modernization During Indo-Pacific Exercise
August 4, 2025
U.S. Air National Guard members assigned to the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Component Test Center conduct preflight checks during Resolute Force Pacific 25, in the Indo-Pacific region, July 24, 2025.
NGB Chief: Guard Seeks Reform, Innovation, Increased Lethality
March 25, 2025
Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses the McAleese and Associates 16th Annual Defense Programs Conference, Arlington, Virginia, March 18, 2025.
New York Guard Airmen Modernize C-17 Fleet with Microvanes
March 19, 2025
New York Air National Guard leaders look at a C-17 Globemaster III equipped with microvanes at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, Feb. 2, 2025. Microvanes are 3D printed devices that reduce drag and fuel consumption by 1%, saving the Air Force money and enhancing mission capability.
Nebraska Air Guard In-House Expertise Fixes Tow Vehicle
March 18, 2025
Staff Sgt. Daniel Katona, an aircraft metals technologist with the 155th Air Refueling Wing, works on a cracked lug area on a wheel hub, Dec. 20, 2024, at the Nebraska National Guard air base in Lincoln, Nebraska. Facing a costly $75,000 equipment failure, the 155th Air Refueling Wing’s metals technology team used skill, innovation and teamwork to restore a critical aircraft tow vehicle, ensuring mission readiness.
Alaska Guard Doctor Creates Innovative Casualty Care System
February 28, 2025
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
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
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
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
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.

 

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Branch Chief: Lt Col Cristi Campbell

Innovation Analyst: Ms. Chierren Denman