Guard News - The National Guard

Pennsylvania Maintainers Conduct Two-Week Training Exercise
July 19, 2024 — JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen with the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron’s Deployable Instrument Landing System Team completed a two-week annual training exercise June 16.The... MORE

Pennsylvania Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Leonard, left, and Tech. Sgt. Shane Miller, with the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, work on a pick-off rescue while on a radar tower during a two-week training exercise that ended June 16, 2024. The 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron is a geologically separated unit of the 171st Air Refueling Wing.

Minnesota Air Guardsman Closing Out 42-year Career
July 18, 2024 — DULUTH, Minn. - In May 1982, Joan Jett’s ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ was No. 1 on the radio, and Master Sgt. Tom Krob enlisted at the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, as an aircraft fuel... MORE

Master Sgt. Tom Krob, an aircraft hydraulic systems specialist, 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, stands in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at the Duluth Air National Guard Base. Krob is retiring in July 2024 with more than 42 years of service to his state and nation.

NY Guard Civil Support Teams Learn from Brazilian Counterparts
July 18, 2024 — RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Thirty-five New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen worked with Brazilian soldiers to secure a major soccer tournament from a chemical, biological or radiological... MORE

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jonathan Morrison, assigned to the 24th Civil Support Team, New York National Guard, puts a simulated casualty on a litter with Brazilian Army soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, Defense Quimica Biological Radiological Nuclear, during Operation Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, July 12, 2024. Operation Maracana is a training exercise between the NYNG and Brazilian Armed Forces at the Maracanã stadium in preparation for the World Cup in 2026.

Weapons of Mass Destruction Exercise Tests Interoperability
July 18, 2024 — LIHUE, Hawaii – Members of the 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team tested interoperability during a weapons of mass destruction exercise with the Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency,... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel F. Billingsley, communications chief, 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, tests radio transmissions during a training exercise in Lihue, Hawaii, June 7, 2024. The exercise included military and civilian response partners to better integrate capabilities when disaster strikes.

Air National Guard Helps Battle California Fires from the Air
July 17, 2024 — At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, U.S. Northern Command deployed two C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) from California and Colorado for wildland firefighting operations from Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in Port Hueneme, Calif., over multiple fires in California. Two additional aircraft will also be activated later this week from Nevada and Wyoming... MORE

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Aircrew and personnel with the Colorado Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing, Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, the U.S. Forest Service, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) prepare two MAFFS-equipped C-130 aircraft to assist with firefighting efforts at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, July 15, 2024.

Guard, International Partners Train on Cyber Skills in Slovenia
July 17, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. – More than 140 National Guard members from six states worked alongside international partners in a cyber training exercise to expand interoperability and track and eliminate cyber... MORE

Maryland Army National Guard Sgt. Emmanuel Unaka, cyber threat intelligence analyst with Cyber Protection Team 169, listens to Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina Lt. Armin Kolašinac, a Security Operations Center member, during the Adriatic Regional Security Cyber Cooperation exercise at the Slovenian Armed Forces Baron Andrej Čehovin barracks in Postojna, Slovenia, July 5, 2024. The two-week cybersecurity training event included 60 representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Slovenia and North Macedonia and their National Guard State Partnership Program counterparts from New Jersey, Maryland, Minnesota, Iowa, Maine and Colorado, respectively.

Vermont National Guard Enhances Medical Readiness in Senegal
July 17, 2024 — TAMBACOUNDA, Senegal - The Vermont National Guard has embarked on a critical mission to enhance medical readiness in its ranks and in Senegal as part of the MedRex medical exercise. This year’s... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Taylor Johnson, optometry specialist, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, conducts eye exams at the Tambacounda regional medical center in Tambacounda, Senegal, June 8, 2024. The Vermont National Guard was in Senegal for an annual medical readiness exercise with its State Partnership Program partner.

Iowa Air National Guard Security Forces Train in Michigan
July 16, 2024 — ALPENA, Mich. - Through heat, humidity and rain, Security Forces Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard are training at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan.The Iowa ANG members are... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Senior Airman Kolby Gries, 185th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces, looks through the sights of a M240B machine gun at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center near Alpena, Michigan, July 11, 2024. Security Forces Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard were training on air base ground defense, urban tactical operations, weapons and equipment, and security forces procedures.

Virginia’s Search and Extraction Team Proves Capabilities
July 16, 2024 — FORT BARFOOT, Va. - More than 200 Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted multiple mass casualty response drills during a collective training exercise. The Soldiers and Airmen are... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen participate in a collective training exercise while conducting search and extraction procedures May 23, 2024, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The team's search and rescue element practiced skills to find and rescue survivors on a training site constructed by the VNG Soldiers and Airmen.

Idaho Army Guard Helps Rescue Injured Hikers in 2 Missions
July 16, 2024 — BOISE, Idaho - For the second time in five days, the Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group helped Custer County Search and Rescue officials rescue and transport an injured hiker from... MORE

The same training that Idaho Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers complete to be ready to fight and win our nation’s wars also makes the Guardsmen a valuable asset in their local communities when called upon to support domestic operations in emergencies.

Wisconsin Guard Conducts Search and Rescue Training
July 15, 2024 — JACKSON COUNTY, Wis. – A Wisconsin Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crew conducted a search and rescue training exercise with Jackson County Emergency Management, the Ho-Chunk Nation... MORE

Sgt. Zachary Hintze, a crew chief assigned to a Wisconsin Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk crew from West Bend, Wis., hoists Sgt. 1st Class Eric Furbee, a critical care flight paramedic, back into the aircraft after a successful patient recovery during a search and rescue training exercise June 1, 2024, in Jackson County. The Black Hawk crew collaborated with Trail Ambassadors and the emergency management offices of Jackson County and the Ho-Chunk Nation.

F-15EX Eagle II Unveiled at Portland Air National Guard Base
July 15, 2024 — PORTLAND, Ore. - The future of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing was on full display July 12 during the formal unveiling of the first two operational U.S. Air Force F-15EX Eagle II fighter... MORE

An F-15EX Eagle II, assigned to the 142nd Wing, takes off during the unveiling ceremony at the Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon, July 12, 2024. The 142nd Wing will be replacing the F-15 C/D model Eagles with the new F-15EX Eagle II models.

New York National Guard Enters State Partnership with Sweden
July 15, 2024 — NEW YORK - The New York National Guard and the Swedish military entered into a joint training agreement July 12 as part of the National Guard’s State Partnership Program during a ceremony in New York... MORE

Leaders from the New York National Guard and the Swedish military sign an agreement for joint training as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program at New York’s Freedom Tower July 12, 2024. Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, left, the adjutant general of New York; Pal Jonson, Sweden's Minister for Defence; Marcos Soler, deputy secretary for public safety for the state of New York; and Maj. Gen. Johan Pekkari, Sweden’s Chief of Policy and Plans, sign the document. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Stephanie Butler)

Wisconsin Guard Medical Company Helps Set Up Clinic
July 12, 2024 — FORT JOHNSON, La. - Walking into an empty medical clinic and getting it up and running in under three hours is no easy task, but a group of Soldiers — primarily from the Wisconsin National Guard’s... MORE

1st Lt. Jennifer Vanden Busch, the Joint Readiness Training Center Aid Station Rear operations officer, prepares a syringe June 13, 2024, during a training rotation for the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Brigade Combat Team. She was among the medics, nurses and physicians from the Wisconsin National Guard and surrounding states who responded to a call for volunteers to staff the JRTC clinic.

Hawaiian Raptors Land at Basa Air Base in Philippines
July 12, 2024 — BASA AIR BASE, Philippines - The Hawaiian Raptors from the 199th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron landed at Basa Air Base, Philippines, marking a significant milestone in U.S.-Philippine military... MORE

Philippine Air Force pilots welcome U.S. Air Force pilots from the 199th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron following a successful inaugural landing during the Marine Aviation Support Activity 24, at Basa Air Base, Philippines, June 13, 2024. The 199th EFS comprises19th and 199th Fighter Squadrons known as the Hawaiian Raptors based out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Vermont National Guard Rescues Beryl Flood Victims
July 11, 2024 — COLCHESTER, Vt. - Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers worked with urban search and rescue teams to evacuate 19 people from locations in Barre, Northfield and Moretown experiencing flooding due to... MORE

Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers supported Vermont Emergency Management Urban Search and Rescue Teams conducting health and welfare checks and evacuating people during flash flooding July 10-11, 2024, in Barre, Vermont. Before the storm, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott approved the activation of approximately 15 Soldiers and seven high-water vehicles to prepare for flash flooding.

Utah Air National Guard Conducts Weapons Training Exercise
July 11, 2024 — HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah - Airmen from the 124th Fighter Wing, Gowen Field, participated in a weapons system evaluation program exercise at Hill Air Force Base.The June 6-14 program was designed to... MORE

Aircraft armament systems technicians from the Idaho Air National Guard’s 124th Maintenance Group download 30 mm rounds during a weapons system evaluation program exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, June 11, 2024. The A-10 is equipped with the GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun and can fire 3,900 rounds a minute.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania Air Guard Collaborate on Exercise
July 11, 2024 — ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. – Civil engineer Airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, and the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard,... MORE

Airmen assigned to the 171st Civil Engineer Squadron and the 177th Civil Engineer Squadron perform land navigation and simulated combat training exercises as part of the Piney Devil training exercise June 9, 2024, at Warren Grove Range, New Jersey.

Twins Exchange Command at Wyoming National Guard
July 10, 2024 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. - After 35 months in the position, Command Sgt. Maj. Edmundo Herrera passed the guidon to his twin brother, Edwardo Herrera, who will now serve as the new command sergeant major of the... MORE

At a ceremony at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne June 27, 2024, Command Sgt. Maj. Edmundo Herrera, left, passed the guidon to his twin brother, Edwardo Herrera, who will now serve as the new command sergeant major of the Wyoming National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Mariner in Gulf of Alaska
July 10, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - When a mariner on a cargo vessel sailing in the Gulf of Alaska became critically ill June 15, Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing came to the... MORE

The Alaska Air National Guard rescues a critically ill mariner from a ship in the Gulf of Alaska June 15, 2024.

Louisiana Guard, Active Component Airmen Complete Air-to-Air Integration 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