Guard News - The National Guard

North Carolina Guard Delivers Food, Water to Hurricane Victims
October 2, 2024 — ASHEVILLE, N.C. - As part of a coordinated relief effort with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Carolina Air National Guard has delivered over 100,000 pounds of food, water and other... MORE

Members of the North Carolina Air National Guard transport more than 100,000 pounds of essential goods to Western North Carolina in support of humanitarian efforts following Hurricane Helene. The cargo, delivered aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, included more than 48 pallets of water, Meals Ready to Eat and other vital supplies.

Michigan Guard, Sierra Leone Establish State Partnership
September 30, 2024 — FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” the adage goes. However, since the announcement in May that Sierra Leone would partner with the Michigan National... MORE

The Michigan National Guard and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces come together to mark the beginning of their partnership under the State Partnership Program in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sept. 12, 2024. This SPP signing ceremony represents a new chapter of mutual support, training, and cooperation.

Wisconsin Army Guard Deploys More Than 300 Soldiers
September 30, 2024 — VOLK FIELD, Wis. - Gov. Tony Evers and senior Wisconsin National Guard leaders joined families and friends at a formal sendoff ceremony Sept. 28 for more than 300 Wisconsin Army National Guard... MORE

More than 300 Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers board charter flights Sept. 28, 2024, at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Camp Douglas, Wis., following a formal sendoff ceremony. The Soldiers, part of the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion and the 457th Chemical Company, are deploying to U.S. Central Command in Southwest Asia and U.S. Africa Command, Horn of Africa.

Army Guard Command Sergeant Major Visits Best Squad Competitors
September 30, 2024 — FORT MOORE, Ga. – Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, the 13th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, visited Soldiers preparing to compete in the National Best Squad Competition.The Army... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, the 13th Army National Guard command sergeant major, talks with the 2024 Best Squad competitors as they prepare for this year's competition in Fort Moore, Ga. Sept. 24, 2023. The team practices weapons function checks training for the 2024 All-Army Best Squad Competition.

Hawaii Guard, Filipino Military Conduct Expert Exchange
September 30, 2024 — LAPU-LAPU, CEBU, PHILIPPINES – The Hawaii Army National Guard returned to the coastal city of Lapu-Lapu Sept. 16-20 for the third iteration of a State Partnership Program Rotary Wing exchange. This... MORE

Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Philippine Air Force gather together for the Rotary Wing Aviation Maintenance and Standardization Subject Matter Expert Exchange at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu, Philippines Sept. 16, 2024.

Louisiana Guard, State Police Conduct Aerial Firefighting Training
September 28, 2024 — NEW ORLEANS – Aviators from the Louisiana National Guard’s 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group partnered with the Louisiana State Police Sept. 25 to conduct aerial training on effectively using... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dino Parmentier, state standardization officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, inspects a water bucket with Louisiana State Police members during an aerial firefighting training exercise at the Joint Emergency Services Training Center in Zachary, La., Sept. 25, 2024.

Tennessee Guard Rescues Stranded Hospital Patients, Staff
September 28, 2024 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee National Guard is supporting the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and state, county and local first responders in the areas impacted by severe flooding following... MORE

Tennessee National Guard Soldiers from Nashville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion at the Elizabethton Municipal Airport prepare to transport Tennessee State Forestry personnel into areas affected by Hurricane Helene to begin debris removal Sept. 30, 2024.

Virginia National Guard Joins Exercise in South Korea
September 27, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1030th Transportation Battalion participated in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in the Republic of... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Gate City-based 1030th Transportation Battalion traveled to the Republic of Korea to participate in the multinational exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield Aug. 16-29, 2024, at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea.

Kentucky National Guard Tests Skills in All-Hazards Exercise
September 27, 2024 — DISNEY TRAINING CENTER, Ky. - The Kentucky Army National Guard 751st Troop Command conducted an all-hazards exercise Sept. 14, using all aviation companies and detachments in scenarios aimed at their... MORE

Soldiers with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade pose for a photo with members of the Wolfe County search and rescue team and Red Star Wilderness emergency medical services at the Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky, Sept. 14, 2024. The Soldiers and the two rescue teams worked together in an all-hazards exercise to improve inoperability.

Texas Guard Conducts HIMARS Live-Fire Exercise in Estonia
September 27, 2024 — TAPA, Estonia—Soldiers from Task Force Voit, part of the 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, stood ready with their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Randy Garcia, a High Mobility Rocket System crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, supporting 1st Cavalry Division, unloads the rockets from his vehicle for a Table XII live-fire exercise near Tapa, Estonia, Sept. 19, 2024. The 1st Cavalry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe.

Alaska National Guard, Mongolia Strengthen Partnership
September 27, 2024 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing and 176th Wing hosted nine members of the Mongolian Armed Forces and the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency to... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joseph Villa, 168th Wing combat arms Instructor, trades patches with Lt. Enkh-Ariun, Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency Air Search and Rescue Unit Number 111, foreign cooperation senior specialist, after exchanging best practices, skills and stories about their weapons firing exercises Sept. 19, 2024. The Alaska National Guard and Mongolia are partners in the State Partnership Program.

Missouri Guard Airman Aids Ailing Firefighter on Plane
September 26, 2024 — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - On Sept. 2, while returning from a fire assignment in Oregon, Ben Wagner experienced a terrifying health scare midflight. Wagner, a U.S. Forest Service assistant fire management... MORE

From left, Ben Wagner, a U.S. Forest Service assistant fire management officer, Maj. Alana Taylor, a nurse practitioner with the 139th Medical Group, Missouri Air National Guard, and Jeff Taylor, Alana’s husband and a firefighter paramedic, share breakfast at an airport in Denver Sept. 2, 2024. Wagner was suffering from severe dehydration and exhaustion midflight when the Taylors stepped in to assist.

Indiana National Guard Soldiers Deploying to Middle East
September 26, 2024 — EDINBURGH, Ind. - Approximately 600 Indiana National Guard Soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division bid farewell to loved ones during a departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury Sept. 25.The division... MORE

Soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division's headquarters battalion stand for an invocation during their departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh, Indiana, Sept. 25, 2024. The Citizen-Soldiers will serve their country overseas in the Middle East supporting Operation Spartan Shield.

Arkansas National Guard Air Wing Receives C-130J Aircraft
September 26, 2024 — LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. - The 189th Air Wing officially began its first aircraft conversion in almost 40 years with the arrival of two EC-130J Super Hercules aircraft Sept. 18.The conversion... MORE

From left, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Noah Polcar, loadmaster, 154th Training Squadron, Maj. Robert Stephenson, pilot, 154th TRS, Maj. Eric Zane, pilot, 154th TRS, Master Sgt. Levi Sortomme, loadmaster, 154th TRS, Staff Sgt. Dakoda Baker, crew chief, 189th Maintenance Group, and Master Sgt. Jacob Shaulis, crew chief, 189th MXG, in front of the second of the first two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft received by the 189th AW after initial arrival at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, Sept. 18, 2024.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Nordhaus Confirmed as NGB Chief
September 25, 2024 — WASHINGTON – The Senate Tuesday confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Nordhaus as the 30th chief of the National Guard Bureau. Nordhaus, who will also be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will be... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region – 1st Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Northern and U.S. Air Forces Space) testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services at a confirmation hearing for his appointment as chief of the National Guard Bureau at the Hart Senate Office Building, District of Columbia, Sep. 12, 2024.

Maryland Airmen Train with Logistics Counterparts in Estonia
September 25, 2024 — PARNU, Estonia - Eight Maryland Air National Guard Airmen partnered with Estonian Defense League members to conduct Operation Baltic Rhino, a convoy operations training exercise, Sept. 13-15 at the... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bandy, 175th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance craftsman, conducts pre-inspection procedures during Operation Baltic Rhino Sept. 14, 2024, at the Eametsa military base, Parnu, Estonia. Operation Baltic Rhino provided an opportunity to exchange convoy knowledge and tactics with Estonian counterparts, underscoring the commitment of the Maryland National Guard and its partners to maintaining effective joint logistical operations, interoperability, and readiness on a global scale.

Hawaii Air Guard Hosts Vulcan Guard Space Exercise
September 25, 2024 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing showcased international military collaboration by hosting the seventh Vulcan Guard space exercise Sept. 16-21 at... MORE

Participants of the Vulcan Guard Bolt-7 Space subject matter expert exchange receive a tour of the 109th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron Sept. 16, 2024, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Hawaii Air National Guard hosted this multinational event to foster collaboration and enhance space capabilities.

Washington Guard, Thailand Collaborate on Stryker Readiness
September 25, 2024 — CHON BURI, Thailand - The 1st Battalion, 205th Regimental Training Institute, Washington National Guard, and the 112th Stryker Regiment, Royal Thai Army, strengthened their partnership during a... MORE

Members of the 205th Regimental Training Institute, Washington National Guard, strengthened the partnership with the 112th Stryker Regiment, Royal Thai Army, during a Stryker maintenance exchange in Chon Buri, Thailand, Sept. 7–19, 2024.

Army Guard’s 41st IBCT Prepares for NATO-led Mission
September 24, 2024 — FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - The 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, and supporting National Guard units from across the United States completed a culminating training event Sept... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Joe Kaufman, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, communicates radio commands during training at Fort Cavazos, Texas, Sept. 14, 2024. The Soldiers are preparing to support NATO-led Kosovo Forces, also known as KFOR, in a peacekeeping mission.

Air National Guard Acting Director Returns to Fly Eagle
September 24, 2024 — KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. - The 173rd Fighter Wing, home of the F-15C Eagle training school, produces new pilots as part of its mission, but it is also home to experienced pilots who require... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, acting director, Air National Guard, climbs into the cockpit of the F-15D Eagle for his first flight in the Eagle in five years at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Sept.16, 2024. The 173rd Fighter Wing at Kingsley Field provides initial and requalification training.

Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In

Colorado Army National Guard Conducts Aviation Training for Wildfire Season

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs Highlights Virginia National Guard Excellence at Military Ball

Oregon Air Guard Participates in Sentry Aloha Exercise

Air Guard Units Join Forces for Aerial Wildfire Suppression Training