Guard News - The National Guard

Oklahoma Guard gains agri-business authority in Paktya and West Paktika provinces
January 4, 2010 — GARDEZ, Afghanistan - In a brief ceremony today, the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 1-45th Agri-business Development Team (ADT) took control of the ADT mission in the Paktya and West Paktika provinces... MORE

Col. Mike Chase of Chandler, Okla., and Master Sgt. Bobby Howard of Depew, Okla., unveil the 1-45th Agribusiness Development Team's (ADT), guidon during a transfer of authority ceremony on Dec. 21, 2009 in Gardez, Afghanistan. The 1-45th ADT is responsible for the agri-business development and revitalization in the Paktya and West Paktika Provinces in Afghanistan.

Virginia bobsledder takes America's Cup Podium
January 4, 2010 — LAKE PLACID, N.Y, - Virginia Guardsman Mike Kohn was victorious in four out of five competitions in the Lake Placid America's Cup competitions held from Dec. 18-20.Although five-man bobsled teams... MORE

Sgt. Mike Kohn, an infantryman with the Virginia Army National Guard, contemplates ways he can improve his run while competing in the bobsleedding trials at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics Training Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y., earlier this year. He was victorious in four out of five competitions in the Lake Placid America's Cup competitions held from Dec. 18-20, 2009. Kohn will rest during the holidays before meeting up with the U.S. team in Germany for the second half of the 2009-2010 World Cup tour to collect additional points towards his qualification for the Winter Olympic Games.

Wisconsin prepares to leave Iraq
January 4, 2010 — BAGHDAD - It's been a long deployment for 3,200-plus soldiers of the Wisconsin National Guard's 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, but it is finally coming to an end.Sometime in early January, the... MORE

Spc. Andrew Alexander of the Wisconsin National Guard scans the roads from the gunner's turret of a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle.

Iowa National Guard repairs irrigation system in Chowkay
January 4, 2010 — KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The Iowa National Guard’s 734th Agribusiness Development Team repaired a vital irrigation system at the Chowkay District demonstration farm in Afghanistan’s Kunar... MORE

An Afghan girl looks on as members of the Iowa National Guard's 734th Agribusiness Development Team repair the irrigation system at the Chowkay Demonstration Farm in Afghanistan's Kunar Province on Jan. 2. Members of the ADT also prepared the farm's greenhouse for vegetable planting during their mission.

H1N1 pediatric vaccine recalled for low potency, not for safety
December 22, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Some supplies of a pediatric version of the H1N1 vaccine have been voluntarily recalled because they are slightly less potent than the manufacturer indicated, officials said today.Some... MORE

Officials seek feedback on family programs
December 16, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Defense officials have launched virtual "listening sessions" in hopes of gaining more insight into the effectiveness of military family programs, a Pentagon official said today.The... MORE

Families can see off, greet troops at airport gates
December 14, 2009 — WASHINGTON - It's a scene that's played out in airports across the country numerous times in the past eight years: Families and servicemembers clinging to each other, either sad to leave or happy and... MORE

Study explores deployment impact on older children
December 10, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Children in military families experience emotional and behavioral difficulties above national averages, a study has revealed.The Rand Corp. study, commissioned by the National Military... MORE

Teens attend an award ceremony in July at the conclusion of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard Teen Leadership Summit at Jekyll Island, Ga. The week-long summit brought together 135 children of Reserve and Guard servicemembers there and in at Wahsega, Ga., July 13-17, 2009. A study by the Rand Corporation, commissioned by the National Military Family Association, found that older children in military families experience emotional and behavioral difficulties above national averages.

Toy giveaway benefits military families
December 7, 2009 — WASHINGTON - More than 3,000 military families will have a few extra presents under the tree this year thanks to the generous efforts of Operation Homefront and The Wal-Mart Foundation.Operation... MORE

A military spouse receives assistance from volunteers during the Operation Homefront and Wal-Mart Foundation toy event for military families in the North Carolina National Guard Armory gymnasium in Fayetteville, N.C., Dec. 4, 2009.

Respite child care expands to all 50 states
November 30, 2009 — WASHINGTON - It's a few hours a month, but the break the Armed Services YMCA Respite Child Care program provides parents with a deployed spouse always is welcome. And since the program's Oct. 1... MORE

Guard wife spreads Thanksgiving spirit
November 30, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Amanda Bailey has a lot to thankful for this Thanksgiving, with her husband, Army Spc. Christopher Bailey home from Iraq for rest and relaxation leave. And as head of his National Guard... MORE

Army Spc. Christopher Bailey, his wife, Amanda, and children are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving together during Bailey's rest and relaxation leave from his deployment in Iraq.

HooahMail means speedy delivery of letters to Afghanistan
November 24, 2009 — WASHINGTON - The Army's HooahMail program makes it possible for friends and family members to put a paper letter and photograph into the hands of their loved ones in Afghanistan, in some cases, on the... MORE

World War II Soldiers read letters from friends and family during a mail call, January 1943. The Army's HooahMail program makes it possible for Soldiers in Afghanistan to receive letters in days, instead of weeks, as in previous wars.

Louisiana Guardsman proves 'Real Men Read'
November 24, 2009 — CARVILLE, La. - A member of the Louisiana Army National Guard participated in the "Real Men Read" program at East Iberville School in St. Gabriel, La., Nov. 19.Capt. Lance T. Cagnolatti, a St. Gabriel... MORE

Louisiana Army National Guardsman Capt. Lance T. Cagnolatti reads to a groups of students at East Iberville School in St. Gabriel, La., as part of the "Real Men Read" program that teaches kids the importance of reading.

Maryland governor visits educator training program
November 12, 2009 — TIMONIUM, Md. - Gov. Martin O’Malley along with Maryland Superintendant of School Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick and Army Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland today demonstrated their... MORE

Alabama kids reach out to Alabama military kids
November 12, 2009 — MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The deployment of a Soldier affects no one more than a child. Children of the brave men and women, who protect the liberties and freedoms of the United States of American often... MORE

Madelyn Dassel, 11, and Bethany Pate, 11, both of Millbrook, Ala., write thank you cards for a military child from Alabama. Madelyn and Bethany took time to make the cards while visiting an Autauga County Supporting Military Families booth at this year's Autauga County Fair held in Prattville, Ala,. Their cards will be placed inside Hero Packs and given to a military child at a Yellow Ribbon program event.

Virginia Guard hosts workshop for military kids
November 10, 2009 — RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia National Guard hosted a workshop here Oct. 28 to address the unique challenges facing children with loved ones serving in the U.S. military.The workshop was conducted in... MORE

DoD officials aim to improve families' lives
November 5, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense... MORE

Guard offers information through Joint Services Support portal
November 5, 2009 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard Bureau has put the finishing touches on a new Joint Services Support (JSS) portal developed to help Guardsmen and their family members get information on an... MORE

The National Guard Bureau has put the finishing touches on a new Joint Services Support (JSS) portal, located at www.jointservicessupport.org. It was developed to help Guardmembers and their family members to get information on an abundance of assistance and support programs. The new portal provides easy access to programs at the state and units including the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), National Guard Family Program, Psychological Health Program, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program and Warrior Support Program.

Pentagon sends H1N1 vaccine to Central Command area
November 5, 2009 — WASHINGTON - U.S. Central Command has received half of the vaccine needed to inoculate its forces against the H1N1 virus, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today. The vaccines arrived in... MORE

Like body armor, flu vaccine aims to protect troops
November 4, 2009 — WASHINGTON - Like protective equipment issued to troops downrange, the H1N1 flu vaccine is a measure the Defense Department is taking to safeguard U.S. military forces, a defense official said. "We... MORE

Alaska Air Guard Conducts Three Rescue Missions in 24 Hours

Georgia Guard Engineers Deploy in Support of USAFRICOM

Task Force Beautification Teams With Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the District’s Ward 8

Connecticut Guard Squadron Assists Mortuary Mission at Dover Air Force Base

Oregon Guard Advances Drone Capabilities With New Training Systems