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California governor calls 2,000 Guard troops for fire duty
July 11, 2008
Sgt. Mark Walch from Company A, 297th Support Battalion, one of the initial 295 Soldiers mobilized to fight the wildfires burning in California, uses an ax to cut down trees to form a fire break preventing burning material from crossing lines and spreading to unburned areas. Walch, a high school teacher from Chico, Calif., volunteered immediately to be part of the first Soldiers to fight fires on the ground in California in 30 years.
MAFFS 'safety man' keeps people, environment safe
July 10, 2008
Senior Master Sgt. Aaron "Stoney" Smith, assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing of the Wyoming Air National Guard, watches for safety issues as an Airman washes fire retardant off the cargo doors of a C-130 Hercules equipped with the modular airborne fire fighting system at McClellan Airfield July 8. Smith's job is to ensure Airmen and equipment are safe during the high tempo of fire fighting operations. The 153rd AW is conducting firefighting operations as part of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group. The 302nd AEG, comprised of aircraft from the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Navy Reserve and Marine Corps, provides unique capabilities and is part of a unified military support effort of U.S. Northern Command to provide assistance to the U.S. Forest Service, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the National Interagency Fire Center. USNORTHCOM continues to closely monitor the California wildfires to anticipate additional requests for Department of Defense assistance to local, federal, and state civil authorities.
Air Force names Air Guard member 'Outstanding Airman'
July 10, 2008
Senior Master Sgt. Donna Goodno walks along the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., June 18 during the Air National Guard's Outstanding Airmen of the Year Week. Goodno was recently announced as one of 12 Air Force Outstanding Airmen for 2008.
One size fits all: Air Guard public Web sites migrating to standard page
July 10, 2008
California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visits 302nd AEG
July 9, 2008
Major General William H. Wade stands with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as he thanks the National Guard at the Wild Fire Training Academy, held on McClellan Air Park, California. Governor Schwarzenegger made it a point to personally thank the National Guardsmen for all they have sacrificed to help with the wild fires.
Teamwork helps Airmen fight fires
July 9, 2008
Darlene Mullins discusses upcoming firefighting missions with Lt. Col. Tom Brown July 6 at McClellan Airfield, Calif. Ms. Mullins is a Modular Airborne Firefighting System liaison officer for the U.S. Forest Service. Colonel Brown is the commander of the 145th Air Expeditionary Squadron of the North Carolina Air National Guard.
Texas ARNG airlifts released contractors to Brooke AMC
July 9, 2008
Black Hawk helicopters from the Texas Army National Guard wait with their engines running as the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft carrying three former hostages approaches Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 2, 2008. Three U.S. government contractors were rescued today by Colombian security forces after being held captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia, or FARC, since their plane crashed in a remote area in February 2003. The aircraft is stationed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
Air National Guard maintainers keep C-130s flying during fires
July 9, 2008
Twin brothers, police officers deploy together for mission in Middle East
July 9, 2008
Twin brothers Sgts. Daniel (left) and Timothy DeKoeyer prepare to deploy with the Florida Army National Guard's 715th Military Police Company in Melbourne, Fla., July 5, 2008.
C-130s continue aerial firefighting operations in California
July 9, 2008
A C-130 Hercules from the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., equipped with the modular airborne firefighting system, taxies to the runway at McClellan Airfield, Calif., July 5 to begin firefighting operations. Aircraft from the 302nd AW are conducting firefighting support missions as part of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group.
Special Forces Soldiers Help Local Community During Flood
July 9, 2008
Team Dozer creates fire breaks in California wildfires
July 8, 2008
Eight D7 Dozers stand ready to deploy the Red Bluff Armory located in Red Bluff, California. The Dozers are going to be used in Operation Lightning Strike to clear fire lines and what ever else is needed.
Recruiting in the fast lane; Florida National Guard reaches out to Earnhardt Jr. fans during NASCAR weekend at Daytona
July 8, 2008
NASCAR Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks with members of the Florida National Guard in the infield of the Daytona International Speedway prior to the running of the Coke Zero 400 race July 5, 2008.
Department of Defense Announces 2008 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipients
July 8, 2008
Biathlon conference seeks ways to grow sport
July 8, 2008
All-Guard Biathlon Team head coaches Army Staff Sgt. Sarah Lehto (in blue) and Air Force Staff Sgt. Travis Voyer (laying) illustrate the proper prone firing position at the Fourth Annual National Guard Sports Biathlon Coaches/Coordinators Conference held in Las Vegas June 24-27. About 50 Guardmembers attended and discussed the current state of the Guard biathlon program, future plans, funding and more.
Montana Guard Starts Pilot Program on Post-Deployment Stress
July 7, 2008
Air National Guard unit ready to fight wildfires and save lives
July 7, 2008
An HH-60G Pave Hawk from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, hovers over a pond near Sacramento, Calif. July 2. The aircrews were training with water buckets, becoming the only crews certified for firefighting suppression duty in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard.
National Guard part of opening ceremony at AT&T National Golf Tournament
July 7, 2008
With a father in the Virginia National Guard who was deployed overseas in the Global War on Terrorism, Precious, 17, and Joy, 16, Rucker from Richmond, Va., (left) were honored at the opening ceremonies of the AT&T National Golf Tournament at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., July 2. With a father in the New Jersey Air National Guard deployed overseas in the Global War on Terrorism, 9-year-old Jeffrey Dahl (right) was honored with hitting the ceremonial first shot with pro golfer Fred Couples at the AT&T National Golf Tournament at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., July 2.
National Guardsmen in Afghanistan Celebrate 4th by Re-Enlisting
July 7, 2008
Colonel Brian K. Balfe, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix leads 20 re-enlisting Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard in the oath of service from Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix, Kabul on July 4.
Family ties: Three members of same family deploy together for Afghanistan mission
July 7, 2008
Richard and Patricia Hirsch of Fort Pierce, Fla., pose with their two sons and daughter-in-law, who are members of the Florida Army National Guard's 715th Military Police Company and are deploying together to Afghanistan this summer. Pictured are Pfc. Richard Hirsch (left), Richard Hirsch, Patricia Hirsch, Pfc. Joseph Hirsch and Pvt. Laura Hirsch. Joseph and Laura are married. The unit held a departure ceremony in Melbourne, Fla., July 3, 2008.