Guard News - The National Guard

Hawaii National Guard, Philippines Strengthen Partnership
March 15, 2024 — CAMP AGUINALDO, Philippines - The Hawaii National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines strengthened their partnership during the 2025 Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board standing... MORE

Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board Standing Committee members complete the first of several meetings March 7, 2024, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines. The MDB and the SEB work together to coordinate a framework for defense and security cooperation between the U.S. and Philippine militaries.

Georgian Defense Force Joins Georgia Best Warrior Competition
March 14, 2024 — RINGGOLD, Ga. - The annual Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition offered a twist this year, with Georgian Defense Force soldiers competing against Georgia Army National Guardsmen... MORE

Georgia Defense Force Junior Sergeant Paata Sabiashvili, front left, an infantryman representing the 1st Infantry Brigade; Georgia Defense Force Corporal-Specialist Irakli Nozadze, front right, a cannon crewmember representing the 5th Artillery Brigade; 1st Sgt. Sergo Kandelaki, back left, executive assistant to the Georgia Defense Force Command Sergeant Major, Georgia Defense Force General Staff; and Staff Sgt. Michael Tenoshcok, back right, Joint Operation Center noncommissioned officer, Joint Force Headquarters, Georgia National Guard; pose for a photo during the 2024 Georgia Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition at the Catoosa Volunteer Training Site, Ringgold, Georgia, March 12, 2024.

109th Airlift Wing Wraps up Antarctic Science Support Mission
March 13, 2024 — STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. - The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing concluded its annual Operation Deep Freeze mission, marking the end of another productive season... MORE

An LC-130 Hercules assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing sits on the ice runway in Antarctica, McMurdo Station, Nov. 11, 2023. From October 2023 to March 2024, 366 Airmen assigned to the wing transported 2.2 million pounds of cargo, 1,500 passengers and 68,000 gallons of fuel in support of National Science Foundation Antarctic research.

NY National Guard to Lead Largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 13, 2024 — NEW YORK - The Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, will again lead the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade this year.Since 1851, “The Fighting... MORE

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, lead the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York March 17, 2022. On March 16, 2024, the battalion will lead the parade for the 173rd time.

Alaska, Maine Guard Conduct Disaster Preparation Exercise
March 13, 2024 — ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The National Guard’s “Always Ready, Always There” motto symbolizes its vigilant presence across the nation. In Alaska, where natural disasters like earthquakes pose significant... MORE

Alaska and Maine National Guardsmen offload from a 176th Wing C-17 Globemaster III while supporting Exercise Vigilant Guard 2024-2 (Alaska) at Merle K. “Mudhole” Smith Airport, Cordova, Alaska, March 5, 2024.

Guard Bureau Chief Sees Innovation, Tech Converge in Texas
March 12, 2024 — AUSTIN – Innovation and emerging technology underscored the National Guard’s senior-most officer’s visit to Texas on March 9-10.Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, met with Texas... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, joins the South by Southwest Conference, Austin, Texas, March 9-10, 2024. Hokanson engaged with entrepreneurs, small business owners and innovators about new concepts that could benefit the Guard and the Joint Force.

New Jersey National Guard Activates Air Refueling Squadron
March 12, 2024 — JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - The New Jersey Air National Guard’s 108th Wing unveiled its newest unit March 6 with the inauguration of the 170th Air Refueling Squadron.Guided by the Fiscal... MORE

Lt. Col Matthew Secko, 170th Air Refueling Squadron commander, right, receives the unit guidon from Col. William Liess, 108th Operations Group commander, left, during the 170th assumption of command ceremony March 7, 2024, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Secko is the first commander of the newly activated 170th Air Refueling Squadron.

Oklahoma National Guard Tests Drone Technologies
March 12, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma National Guard collaborated with industry partners across the state to test the cutting-edge capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems at Camp Gruber Training Center Feb... MORE

The Oklahoma National Guard worked with industry partners from across the state Feb. 22 to test the capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems at Camp Gruber Training Center in Oklahoma City. This initiative aims to equip and train the OKNG alongside civilian aerospace industry experts and local partners to enhance mission readiness in aviation and aerospace technologies.

Maryland Guard Airman Uses Military Training to Save a Life
March 11, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - The day before Thanksgiving, most people are thinking about a short list of things to do - ensuring the turkey is thawed, cleaning the house for a family visit, or preparing for a... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Brooke Parks, 175th Force Support Squadron recruiter, poses for a photo in front of the 175th Wing Headquarters building at Martin State Air National Guard Base, Maryland, Feb. 4, 2024.

West Virginia Public Affairs Detachment Joins Allied Spirit 24
March 11, 2024 — HOHENFELS, Germany – Soldiers with the 153rd Public Affairs Detachment, Joint Forces Headquarters, West Virginia National Guard, arrived at Hohenfels Training Area March 7 to support Allied Spirit... MORE

U.S. Army Pfc. Ayden Norcross provides photography support during Allied Spirit 24, March 9, 2024, in Hohenfels, Germany. Allied Spirit 24 is a U.S. Army exercise for its NATO allies and partners at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany.

New York National Guard Names Soldiers Killed in Texas Helicopter Crash
March 11, 2024 — LATHAM, N.Y. - Two New York Army National Guard aviators were killed March 8 when the UH-72 Lakota light utility helicopter they were flying crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas, at 2:50 p.m. local... MORE

New York Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski, left, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia were killed when a UH-72 Lakota helicopter they were flying crashed near Rio Grande City, Texas, March 8, 2024. The two were assigned to Detachment 2, Company A, of the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment, operating as part of Joint Task Force North, supporting Customs and Border Protection operations on the southwest border.

Army Flight School Grad Follows in Father’s Footsteps
March 8, 2024 — FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. – When Warrant Officer Paul D. Kelly walked across the stage and graduated flight school Feb. 8, his silver wings were not the only thing he took away with him.Also in his tool kit... MORE

Warrant Officer Paul D. Kelly's mother, Maria, pins his silver wings on his uniform as he graduates flight school as a Black Hawk pilot at Fort Novosel, Ala., Feb. 8, 2024. He serves with the Virginia Army National Guard.

National Guard Chief Presents Silver Star to Vietnam Veteran
March 8, 2024 — WAYNE, Pa. – Nearly 57 years after rescuing more than 80 U.S. and South Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War, retired Army Capt. Larry Liss received the Silver Star medal.Liss originally... MORE

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, left, chief of the National Guard Bureau, presents retired Army Capt. Larry Liss with a Silver Star citation during a ceremony March 5, 2024, at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pa. Liss received the medal, an upgrade from a Distinguished Flying Cross, for rescuing more than 80 U.S. and South Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War.

New York Army Guard Soldiers Help Track Down Arsonist
March 8, 2024 — NEW YORK – Three New York Army National Guard Soldiers displayed quick thinking and teamwork to help track down a suspected arsonist who tried to set fire to a building a few feet from a Long Island... MORE

Three New York Army National Guard Soldiers who were on duty at a hotel being used as a migrant shelter in Long Island City, New York, helped apprehend a suspected arsonist and put out the fire he started Jan. 29, 2024. Pictured are, from left, Staff Sgt. Richard Miller, Sgt. Animesh Das, Spc. Jaslin Guzman.

Oklahoma Guardsman Receives Star of Valor for Heroic Actions
March 8, 2024 — MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Oklahoma Army National Guard Spc. Alexander Weimer was awarded the Oklahoma Star of Valor in a ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center March 3. Weimer earned the award... MORE

Spc. Alexander Weimer, assigned to Bravo Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, speaks with Col. Andrew Ballenger, commander of the 45th IBCT, at his Oklahoma Star of Valor ceremony at the Muskogee Armed Forces Reserve Center, Muskogee, Oklahoma, March 3, 2024. Weimer was recognized for his bravery and compassion while assisting civilians involved in a vehicular collision while on his way to drill.

81st SBCT Completes Command Post Exercise
March 8, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team tested its command processes and identified redundancies during a command post exercise at Camp Murray from Feb. 29 to March 3.“This was the... MORE

The 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and subordinate battalion during a command post exercise at the Pierce County Readiness Center, Camp Murray, Wash., Feb. 29, 2024.

Hokanson Announces new State Partnership Program Nations
March 7, 2024 — WASHINGTON – A program that pairs the National Guard in the states and territories with foreign allies and partners is set to grow by several nations this year, the National Guard’s top officer... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, meets with members of the Swedish Armed Forces in Boden, Sweden, Oct. 17, 2023. Hokanson visited Sweden as part of a larger Northern European itinerary for talks with defense officials to deepen bilateral ties between the National Guard and Sweden.

The Harlem Hellfighters: A Legacy of Lasting Impact
March 7, 2024 — NEW YORK - In the past few years, the name Harlem Hellfighters evoked confusion for some, intrigue for others and great pride for those who know the stories of valor and triumph. Lesser known are the... MORE

The granddaughters of legendary Harlem Hellfighter James Reese Europe — Patricia Europe Pearson, Lynn Europe Cotter, and Theresa Europe — pose with senior officers of the 369th Sustainment Brigade for a photo in front of a mural during a visit to the Harlem Regiment Armory in New York Feb. 24, 2024. They were given a tour of the armory by New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Leyland Jones, Col. Patrick Clare, and Lt. Cols. David Myones and Peter Fish.

South Carolina National Guard Hosts Colombia Defense Chief
March 7, 2024 — COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina National Guard hosted Colombian military leaders from Feb. 28 to March 1 during two State Partnership Program events.The three-day visit by Gen. Helder Giraldo,... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, the adjutant general for South Carolina, U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin B. Stilwell, director of the Joint Staff of the South Carolina National Guard, and other National Guard leaders meet with Colombian military leaders in Columbia, South Carolina, Feb. 29, 2024. The event was part of a three-day State Partnership Program exchange.

West Virginia National Guard, Gabon Announce State Partnership
March 7, 2024 — CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia National Guard has been selected as the U.S. partner to the nation of Gabon in central Africa for the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State... MORE

The West Virginia National Guard has been selected as the U.S. partner to the nation of Gabon in central Africa for the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, Gov. Jim Justice announced March 6. Gabon is the 19th African nation to join with a U.S. state via the SPP.

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