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

Oregon Guard Engineers Test Drone-Delivered Breach Capability
June 26, 2026 — ORCHARD COMBAT TRAINING CENTER, Idaho – Oregon Guard Soldiers breached a wire obstacle with a... MORE

A Lorica Technologies Inc. Mule 28 unmanned aerial system carries a live, primed M1A3 Bangalore torpedo toward a concertina wire obstacle moments before release June 22, 2026, on Range 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho.

Idaho Guard Builds Cyber Defense Capacity
June 24, 2026 — BOISE, Idaho – Idaho National Guard Soldiers trained alongside fellow Guardsmen, civilian partners... MORE

Maj. Gen. Timothy J. Donnellan, adjutant general of the Idaho National Guard and commanding general of the Idaho National Guard, addresses the audience during distinguished visitor day, the final day of Cyber Discovery 2026, at the state of Idaho Office of Information Technology Services, Chinden Campus, Boise, June 9, 2026.

Pennsylvania Modernizing Drone Training Facility
June 18, 2026 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, Training and Innovation Facility... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea, left, officer-in-charge of the Unmanned Aircraft System Training and Innovation Facility, or UASTIF, at Fort Indiantown Gap, and Sgt. 1st Class Brent Wehr, course manager for the 15X MOS transition course at the UASTIF, trouble-shoot an issue with an unmanned aircraft system on June 10, 2026, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

Oklahoma Guardsman Harnesses AI to Save Thousands of Hours of Work
June 17, 2026 — OKLAHOMA CITY – A groundbreaking new artificial intelligence tool developed by an Oklahoma Army... MORE

Sgt. Lorelei Hubbard, an administrative noncommissioned officer assigned to the Oklahoma Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion, uses an artificial intelligence tool to rapidly determine award eligibility for a National Guard member at the Recruiting and Retention Battalion headquarters in Oklahoma City on June 17, 2026.

California Guard Innovation Center Hosts Drone Training
April 21, 2026 — MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – The California National Guard’s Hap Arnold Innovation Center... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Rodriguez, Hap Arnold Innovation Center, California Air National Guard, tries on First-Person View goggles for small Unmanned Aerial Systems during a Defense Contract Management Agency, or DCMA, Blue List training event, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., April 14, 2026.

Indiana Guard Innovation Accelerates Timeline for Combat Attack System
April 3, 2026 — INDIANAPOLIS – In an unprecedented demonstration of rapid innovation, the Indiana National Guard... MORE

In an unprecedented demonstration of rapid innovation, the Indiana National Guard hosted the Technology and Readiness Experimentation, or T-REX, framework that was instrumental in advancing the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or LUCAS, from a public demonstration to operational employment in seven months.

Air National Guard Integrates New Communication Technology to Aid Rescue Missions
March 17, 2026 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard recently secured $22 million in federal funding to field a... MORE

An aircrew with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, performs a fly-by of the airfield in an HC-130J Combat King II during a training mission at Moffett Federal Airfield, California, Aug. 2, 2025.

Massachusetts Guardsman Invents Portable Cyber Training, Development Platform
February 26, 2026 — OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – Senior Master Sgt. Taylor Gow saw a gap in cyber readiness and... MORE

The Agile Cyber Training Environment, or ACTE, is a self-contained, portable cyber training and development platform, invented by U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Taylor Gow on Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts.

Oregon Guardsman Innovates to Maintain Jets
February 24, 2026 — PORTLAND, Ore. – Staff Sgt. Kenneth Fritz, an avionics integrated systems technician at the 142nd... MORE

Staff Sgt. Kenneth Fritz adjusts the intercommunication control panel with dial adjuster he manufactured, Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, Jan 31, 2026.

Pennsylvania Guard Team Wins Innovation Category at Army Drone Competition
February 23, 2026 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – A team of Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers from the 28th Infantry... MORE

Soldiers from the 28th Infantry Division who won the innovation category at the U.S. Army’s inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition receive their award from Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, right, Feb. 19, 2026, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Innovation Resources

Announcements

Events

Branch Chief: Lt Col Cristi Campbell

Team Lead: Ms. Chierren Denman

Innovation Analyst: Ms. Katie Hudak