Guard News - The National Guard

A Career of Service: Illinois Army Guard Soldier Reflects on Time in Active Component, Army Guard, and Army Reserve
July 11, 2025 — TORUŃ, Poland — Sgt. 1st Class Hussein Mashal, an Illinois Army National Guard Soldier with nearly two decades of service, has checked a lot of Army boxes – service in all three components – active,... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Hussein Mashal, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, listens to questions from troops about sniper training at a range near Toruń, Poland, June 7, 2025.

District of Columbia Guard, Jamaican Defence Force Partner at Cyber Exercise
July 10, 2025 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Members of the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Communications Squadron joined more than 900 participants from across the U.S. military and allied nations for... MORE

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the Adjutant General (TAG) for the D.C. National Guard, recognizes members of the 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard and members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) during Cyber Shield 2025 at the Virginia National Guard's State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, VA, on June 11, 2025.

Colorado Soldier Receives the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism
July 10, 2025 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. — U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert F. Cruz, 8th Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, Colorado Army National Guard, was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism July 9 in an... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Robert F. Cruz receives the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism after rescuing an unconscious driver from a burning vehicle without regard for his own safety.

Idaho Guard Conducts Two Rescues in Nine Days
July 10, 2025 — SAWTOOTH RANGE, Idaho - Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers recently conducted two successful search and rescue missions just nine days apart. “Our Citizen-Soldiers stand ready to move out at moment’s... MORE

Idaho Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew conduct a rescue operation July 7, 2025, to assist an injured hiker and her companion near Decker Peak in Idaho. (Photo from video by Mike Freeman)

Connecticut Guard Soldier Aids Rollover Crash Victim in Dramatic Highway Rescue
July 9, 2025 — CROMWELL, Conn. – The Connecticut National Guard has recognized one of its Soldiers for her outstanding leadership, bravery and selfless service for springing into action after witnessing a dramatic... MORE

Always Ready, Always There: Quick-Thinking CT Guardsman Aids Rollover Crash Victim in Dramatic Highway Rescue

Arkansas Air Guard Participates in REFORPAC 25 Exercise
July 9, 2025 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – The Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Wing is playing a pivotal role in Resolute Force Pacific 25, the Pacific Air Forces’ most comprehensive contingency... MORE

The 188th Wing is playing a pivotal role in Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 25, the Pacific Air Force’s most comprehensive contingency response exercise, running from July 10 to August 8, 2025.

Fox EMBER Sharpens Airmen’s Skills in Joint Environment
July 9, 2025 — McCRADY TRAINING CENTER, S.C. – Traditionally focused on air base preparedness and recovery, emergency managers are stepping beyond the base fence line to train for new battlefield missions.Fox EMBER,... MORE

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Matthew Yu and Josh Miller, assigned to 146 Airlift Wing and 123rd Airlift Wing, practice stretcher carrying during an emergency management battlefield expeditionary response deployment for training at McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina, June 26, 2025.

Puerto Rico Air Guard Conducts Deployment for Training at Aviano
July 7, 2025 — AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — U.S. Airmen with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard 156th Civil Engineer Squadron conducted a Deployment for Training June 16-27 in Italy to develop their skills proficiency... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Anthony Gonzalez, fire protection craftsman assigned to the 156th Civil Engineer Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, extinguishes a fire during a Deployment for Training (DFT) at Aviano Air Base, Italy, June 25, 2025.

Alaska Air Guard 168th Medical Group Trains for High-Stakes Missions
July 7, 2025 — ALPENA COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER, Mich. — The Alaska Air National Guard 168th Wing Medical Group continues to strengthen its operational edge, proving lethality in today’s battlespace isn’t... MORE

Airmen from the 168th Wing Medical Group, along with their counterparts from other Air National Guard units, conduct radiation monitoring during field training at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan

Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2
July 3, 2025 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing hosted a civic leader flight June 24 that offered local leaders an opportunity to view an aerial refueling mission over the... MORE

Civic leaders and newly commissioned U.S. Air Force pilot trainees gather with the 168th Wing KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew following an aerial refueling mission during Red Flag-Alaska 25-2, June 24, 2025.

Ohio Guard Attends Exercise Platinum Wolf in Serbia
July 3, 2025 — RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Several high-ranking officials from U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, or USAFE-AFAFRICA, and the Ohio National Guard participated in the June 26 Distinguished... MORE

Washington Army Guard Trains in Water Bucket Operations
July 2, 2025 — PUYALLUP, Wash. - To prepare for wildfire season, aviation crews from the Washington Army National Guard have been working to become certified in water bucket operations, completing as many... MORE

A UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation, 96th Troop Command, Washington Army National Guard conducts water bucket training with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue, June 30, 2025, near Puyallup, Wash.

Maryland Air Guard Provides Pilot Experience for Children Fighting Cancer
July 2, 2025 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – The Maryland Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Squadron hosted two children as honorary pilots June 7 as part of the Pilot for a Day program at Warfield Air National Guard Base at... MORE

Maryland Air National Guard Capt. Carson Miller (middle-left), an A-10C Thunderbolt ll pilot assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron, Master Sgt. Jonathan Lorenz (middle-right), avionics technician for the 175th Maintenance Squadron, and Elena LeMoine (left) and Maverick Bell (right), pose for a group photo in front of an A-10C Thunderbolt II static display at Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport, Maryland, June 7, 2025. LeMoine and Bell, as well as their families, attended "Pilot For a Day," facilitated by the Gold in Fight Foundation, which invites children and families from the local community who have catastrophic illnesses to spend the day with pilots. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Laura Virtue)

Alaska Army Guard Rescues Family Stranded on River During Storm
July 2, 2025 — BETHEL, Alaska — Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Battalion rescued a family of six June 30 near Tuntutuliak on the Kuskokwim River.The Alaska Rescue Coordination... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nick Lime, an aviator assigned to 207th Aviation Battalion, assists six distressed people stranded on the Kuskokwim River during a rescue mission June 30, 2025.

lowa Airmen Take Training to New Heights
July 1, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – More than 75 Airmen from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 132d Logistics Readiness Squadron, 132d Communications Squadron and 132d Wing Staff traveled to Joint... MORE

Staff Sgt. Brock Logan (in the main cab) from the 132d Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Maintenance looks up at Staff Sgt. Russell Bunger (in the de-icing boom cabin) both requalified on de-icing equipment with the help of the 176th LRS Vehicle Maintenance, Alaska Air National Guard.

West Virginia Guard Continues Flood Cleanup Efforts
July 1, 2025 — WHEELING, W. Va. – The West Virginia National Guard continues to work with local, state and volunteer partners on flood recovery operations in the severely damaged communities of Marion and Ohio... MORE

Soldiers of the 115th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, 119th Engineer Company (Sapper), 601st Engineer Support Company, 821st Engineer Construction Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, 150th Cavalry Regiment, and Airmen with the 167th and 130th Airlift Wings continue to partner with emergency managers, public works, community members, local businesses and volunteers to support debris removal and community assessments from flooding that happened on June 16th in W.V.

South Dakota Air Guard’s New Therapy Dog Lends a Pawsitive Touch
July 1, 2025 — JOE FOSS FIELD, S.D. – At the 114th Fighter Wing, the commitment to Airmen extends beyond physical readiness and now includes a four-legged presence focused on mental wellness. Captain, a 2-year-old... MORE

Captain, facility therapy dog, 114th Fighter Wing, greets Airmen as they work June 24, 2025 at Joe Foss Field, South Dakota.

Missouri Airmen Provide Airlift in Central American Exercise
June 30, 2025 — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing completed its first-ever support of CENTAM GUARDIAN 2025, a multinational exercise hosted by U.S. Southern Command and the... MORE

U.S. Air Force and Guatemalan Aircraft stage for a photo during CENTAM Guardian 25, May 20, 2025.

Tennessee Guard Participates in Bulgaria’s Best Warrior Competition
June 30, 2025 — VELIKO TARNOVO, Bulgaria – Members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard competed in the Bulgaria Armed Forces’ first multinational Best Warrior Competition at the National Military... MORE

Members of the Tennessee Army and Air National Guard competed in the Bulgaria Armed Forces’ first multinational Best Warrior Competition, at the National Military University, June 23-26.

Washington Guard Improves Park Through Innovative Readiness Training
June 30, 2025 — ORTING, Wash. – Washington Army National Guard members are making improvements to a community park while also receiving valuable training that can support domestic and overseas missions.“I believe... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Williamson, right, with the 176th Engineer Company, 420th Chemical Battalion, 96th Troop Command, Washington National Guard, is instructing Soldiers in his unit about tongue and groove roof decking for the restroom facility at Charter Park, Orting, Wash, June 19, 2025.