Guard News - The National Guard

Nevada National Guard Holds Workshop for New Partner Samoa
June 6, 2024 — CARSON CITY, Nev. - Michael Fusi Ligaliga understands familial village systems and how they work in the Independent State of Samoa.He’s an assistant professor and program lead of Pacific Island... MORE

Michael Fusi Ligaliga, assistant professor and program lead of Pacific Island Studies at Brigham Young University in Hawaii, speaks during a two-day workshop at the Nevada National Guard's Office of the Adjutant General in Carson City, Nevada. Ligaliga's presentation was part of a workshop to educate members of the Nevada National Guard about the culture of Samoa, their newest partner in the State Partnership Program.

Wisconsin National Guard Brigade Begins Major Training Exercise
June 6, 2024 — FORT JOHNSON, La. – More than 5,000 Soldiers from across the United States, along with support elements from Canada, have arrived at the Joint Readiness Training Center for a month-long training... MORE

More than 5,000 Soldiers have arrived at the Joint Readiness Training Center on Fort Johnson, Louisiana, to take part in a month-long training exercise led by the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. As they arrive, the Soldiers in-process, gather gear, help offload vehicles from trains and semis, perform maintenance checks, and install MILES (multiple integrated laser engagement system) on everything from personal weapons to all varieties of vehicles, all while acclimating to the Louisiana heat and humidity.

Tennessee Guard Participates in Thracian Warrior Exercise
June 6, 2024 — HASKOVO, Bulgaria - Members of the Tennessee National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment, participated in exercise Thracian Warrior 24 at Novo Selo and Koren training areas May 28... MORE

Members of the Tennessee National Guard's 1-181st Field Artillery Regiment, headquartered in Chattanooga, plan for a fire mission June 3, 2024, while at Koren Training Ground in Bulgaria. The Tennessee National Guard is in Bulgaria participating at Thracian Warrior 24, a multinational, combat arms exercise showcasing capabilities of participating countries' armed forces.

Malaysia, Washington Guard Strengthen Partnership at Bersama Warrior 2024
June 6, 2024 — KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The 10th annual Bersama Warrior exercise began June 1 with an opening ceremony led by Malaysian Armed Forces leaders and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kenneth Borchers, director... MORE

Washington National Guard and Malaysian Armed Forces members participate in the Bersama Warrior 2024 opening ceremonies June 1, 2024, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Washington Guard and Malaysia have been partners under the State Partnership Program since 2017.

80 Years Ago, National Guard Units Played Key Role in D-Day Landings
June 5, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Their waterlogged footsteps were historic. That thought, however, most likely wasn’t on the Soldiers minds as they stepped ashore from rocking landing craft onto the French coast... MORE

The build-up of Omaha Beach. Reinforcements of men and equipment moving inland. Photo courtesy of Center of Military History.

Alaska Guard Soldiers Honored Before Middle East Deployment
June 5, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Army National Guardsmen assigned to the 49th Personnel Detachment, known as the 49th Theater Gateway, were honored during a deployment ceremony at the... MORE

Alaska Army National Guardsmen with the 49th Personnel Detachment, known as the 49th Theater Gateway, gather for a deployment ceremony at Camp Carroll on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 1, 2024. The 49th TG will deploy to the Middle East to support Operation Spartan Shield.

Idaho National Guard, German JTACs Train Together
June 5, 2024 — JUNIPER BUTTE RANGE, Idaho - In 2015, an enlisted Idaho Air National Guardsman and a German Army lieutenant attended the same Joint Terminal Attack Controller Qualification Course and began a... MORE

Soldiers and airmen from Germany’s Joint Terminal Attack Controller Competence Center partnered with the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Fighter Wing to conduct close air support training at the Saylor Creek and Juniper Butte Ranges, Idaho, May 1-18. Idaho Army National Guard UH-60 pilots and crew also supported portions of the training.

Tennessee National Guard Rescues 2 Injured Hikers
June 4, 2024 — LOUISVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Army National Guard flight crews rescued two hikers suffering medical emergencies in separate air evacuation missions in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area May... MORE

Tennessee Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crew chief Sgt. Daniel Bandy hoists Sgt. 1st Class Giovanni DeZuani, flight paramedic, into the aircraft after rescuing a hiker in respiratory distress in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park at Mount LeConte Lodge May 31, 2024.

Kentucky Air Guard to Fly at D-Day Observance in France
June 4, 2024 — LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Kentucky Air National Guard crew departed for France last week, flying aboard an aircraft emblazoned with distinctive World War II “Invasion Stripes” to mark the 80th anniversary... MORE

A C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 123rd Airlift Wing takes off from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., May 22, 2024, bearing the distinctive livery displayed on U.S. aircraft during World War II. The plane will fly over France June 6 as part of observances for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces invaded Normandy to turn the tide of the war in Europe.

New York National Guard Soldiers Aid Subway Stabbing Victim
June 4, 2024 — NEW YORK - Two quick-thinking, well-trained New York National Guard Soldiers helped save the life of a man stabbed at a Queens subway station May 20.Staff Sgt. Joel Strickland and Spc. Desany Jacques,... MORE

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Joel Strickland, left, and Spc. Desany Jacques, members of the New York National Guard security force, used their training and first aid packages to help save the life of a stabbing victim May 20, 2024, while on duty in Queens. The two Soldiers were assisting New York police officers checking the bags of subway riders.

Hawaii Civil Engineer Airmen Develop Multi-Capable Skills
June 4, 2024 — WAIMANALO, Hawaii - Airmen from the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron performed Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery training at Bellows Air Force Station during exercise Pacific Warriorz 2024.The primary... MORE

Hawaii Air National Guard Master Sgt. Dustin J. Frey, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from the 154th Civil Engineer Squadron, disarms munitions in a simulated weapons cache during exercise Pacific Warriorz 2024 at Bellows Air Force Station, Waimanalo, Hawaii, April 7, 2024.

Guard Conducts Explosive Ordnance Disposal Joint Training
June 4, 2024 — CAMP DOUGLAS, Wis. - Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians from multiple services and countries converged on Volk Field Air National Guard Base May 13 for the 10th annual Audacious Warrior... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrington, left, explosive ordnance disposal technician with the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing, and Senior Airman Benito Pacheco, EOD technician with the Nebraska ANG's 155th Air Refueling Wing, review X-rays of an improvised explosive device May 13, 2024, as part of the Audacious Warrior exercise at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Wisconsin. The nine-day exercise included over 70 participants assigned to the Air National Guard, U.S. Air Force Reserve and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as military EOD specialists from the Czech Republic.

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Hypothermic Mariner
June 4, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel of the 176th Wing hoisted a hypothermic mariner to safety May 30 about 20 miles southwest of Kodiak Island.The... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aviators assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron hoist two 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen during hoist training in the Prince William Sound near Whittier, Alaska, May 15, 2024. The 212th, along with the 210th and 211th RQSs, make up the 176th Wing Rescue Triad and are among the busiest combat search and rescue units in the world.

Idaho, Nevada Guard Offer Free Health Care to Tribal Members
June 3, 2024 — LAPWAI, Idaho - The Idaho and Nevada National Guard provided medical care to the Nez Perce and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes during the Operation Nimiipuu Health community health care partnership May... MORE

About 50 Idaho and Nevada National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted two weeklong medical visits for members of the Nez Perce and Shoshone-Paiute Tribes May 13-24, 2024. Free health care was offered as part of the Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training program.

Illinois Guard Completes Emergency Response Training
June 3, 2024 — SPARTA, Ill. - The Illinois Army and Air National Guard completed a comprehensive chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive enhanced response force package training exercise May 5,... MORE

The Illinois Army and Air National Guard’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package Search and Extraction Team built a protective barrier to treat the wounded during a training exercise in Sparta, Illinois, May 2-5, 2024. The exercise focused on enhancing the readiness and capabilities of CERFP units.

National Guard Ready for Potential Record-Breaking Wildfire, Hurricane Season
May 31, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. — With 2024 projected as one of the hottest years on record, climate scientists have noted a heightened risk of hurricanes and wildfires, but National Guard officials said the Guard is... MORE

A military C-130J aircraft discharges a pressurized water stream from the rear of the aircraft over a green marshland with a creek affixed against a light blue sky.

29th Infantry Division HQ Heads Exercise Immediate Response
May 31, 2024 — USTKA, Poland – Spc. Shiquies Branch, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard, has a birthday coming up. But... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 43rd Multi-Role Bridge Company, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade conduct a Wet Gap Crossing on May 11, 2024, at the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, in support of Immediate Response 24.

Retiring Illinois Guard Artillery Gun Chief Fires Final Rounds
May 31, 2024 — USTKA, Poland – When U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Terry Rutherford enlisted in 1982, the idea of taking part in a training exercise in Poland was a seemingly ludicrous one – something that would never happen... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Terry Rutherford, a gun chief with B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, watches as his gun crew prepares their M777 howitzer to execute a fire mission during exercise Immediate Response in Ustka, Poland, May 11, 2024. The exercise is Rutherford’s last – he retires later this year.

Illinois Army Guard Takes on Exercise Immediate Response
May 31, 2024 — USTKA, Poland – The seaside location couldn’t have been more idyllic. Gentle rolling sand dunes sloped gracefully to the water as the waves rhythmically lapped the coastline. A meandering breeze... MORE

Spc. Megan Cox, with B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, pulls the lanyard to fire an M777 155mm howitzer while executing a fire mission during exercise Immediate Response in Ustka, Poland, May 10, 2024. More than 10,400 U.S. military members and 12,750 service members from allied and partner nations are participating in the exercise, which includes live-fire exercises, wet gap crossings, and other training to strengthen interoperability among participants.

Hawaii Guardsman Finds Success in Aviation, Infantry Journey
May 31, 2024 — WASHINGTON - Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara was just settling into his new role as the adjutant general of the state of Hawaii, having taken over the position a few months prior, when he got a call from... MORE

Maj. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara, Hawaii adjutant general, speaks to a 103rd Troop Command Soldier during individual weapon qualification, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, June 5, 2021.

National Guard Mobilizes Again to Provide Hurricane Relief

Tennessee Guardsmen Support Hurricane Recovery

Oklahoma Guard Supports Hurricane Relief in South Carolina

Ohio Guard Aircrews Assist with Hurricane Response Ops

California Airmen Receive Purple Heart Following Jordan Attack