Guard News - The National Guard

Vermont Guard Strengthens Trilateral Airpower at Cope North
March 7, 2025 — ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing played a key role in the integration of F-35 aircraft during Exercise Cope North 2025, marking a milestone in multinational airpower... MORE

From left: Japan Air Self Defense Force Capt. Nakanishi, U.S. Air Force Lt. Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force FLTLT Ryan in front of an F-35A Lightning II on the flightline for exercise Cope North 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2025. The multinational, U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored field training exercise focused on conducting Combat Air Force training to increase interoperability.

Tactical Casualty Care Simulators Boost Air Guard Readiness
March 6, 2025 — BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The constantly evolving battlefield requires service members to adapt through continual training. This is especially true for aerospace medical service technicians — Air Force field... MORE

Nurses and medical technicians from the 117th Medical Group, Alabama Air National Guard, listen for heart sounds and check the pulse on a high-fidelity simulator at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Ala., March 5, 2025. Air National Guard units across the nation received these training simulators to sharpen the skills they need as mission-ready Airmen.

Updates to National Guard Bureau Social Media Content
March 5, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. - In alignment with Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 and recent executive orders issued by the president, the National Guard Bureau has reviewed and adjusted its social media... MORE

In alignment with Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 and recent executive orders issued by the president, the National Guard Bureau has reviewed and adjusted its social media content to ensure compliance with DOD policies and priorities.

Guard Enlisted Leaders Emphasize Warrior Ethos, Readiness
March 5, 2025 — WASHINGTON - The National Guard’s senior enlisted leaders, representing more than 430,000 Soldiers and Airmen, discussed their insights and priorities during a leadership panel Feb. 24.“Our priorities... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, speaks during an Enlisted Association of the National Guard event in Washington Feb. 24, 2025. Senior enlisted leaders representing more than 430,000 Soldiers and Airmen shared insights and discussed priorities during a leadership panel.

Hawaii Air National Guard Group Enhances Warfighting Skills
March 5, 2025 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Mission Support Group conducted a comprehensive training exercise to enhance warfighting skills and readiness.The Feb... MORE

An exercise cadre monitors Airmen protecting an injured member during a field training exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Feb. 2, 2025. The exercise tested the Airmen's tactical abilities and emphasized the importance of mental resilience and decision-making under pressure.

Florida Air National Guard Wing Welcomes F-35A Lightning II
March 4, 2025 — The Florida Air National Guard officially entered the fifth-generation fighter era with the arrival of its first F-35A Lightning II on March 4, 2025. The milestone makes the 125th Fighter Wing, known as ‘the Thunder’, the fourth Air National Guard (ANG) unit to receive the advanced fighter, marking a pivotal moment in the wing’s history and reinforcing the Air Force’s global defense strategy... MORE

An aircraft maintainer assigned to the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Maintenance Group marshals an F-35A Lightning II aircraft arriving at the wing in Jacksonville, Florida, March 4, 2025. The arrival marks the unit’s transition to the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, enhancing the wing’s 24/7 homeland defense mission and strengthening joint-force integration efforts in Florida.

Alaska Army Guard Black Hawk Crew Touches Down on Train
March 4, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion, landed an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Golf Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, lands on an Alaska Railroad train car while supporting Special Operations Forces Arctic Medic 2025 near Fairbanks, Alaska, Feb. 20, 2025. SOFAM 2025 is a Special Operations Command North training and validation event for unit medics that conduct exercises and operations in the North American Arctic.

Virginia National Guard Conducts Exchange in Tajikistan
February 28, 2025 — DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted an exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan focusing on noncommissioned officer and junior officer development Feb... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted an exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan, focusing on noncommissioned officer and junior officer development Feb. 17-21, 2025, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange supported the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.

Alaska Guard Doctor Creates Innovative Casualty Care System
February 28, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Historically, battles are won by the side that carries momentum throughout the fight. Taking casualties can stop that momentum in its tracks. In Alaska, those... MORE

Exercise Special Operations Forces Arctic Medic 2025 participants transport a simulated combat casualty using a CASEVAC Ecosystem sled prototype at Yukon Training Area, Alaska, Feb. 18, 2025. SOFAM 2025 prepares medics to operate in extreme cold.

US Air Force Partners with Saudi Arabia to Train Chiefs
February 27, 2025 — AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar - A mobile training team of U.S. Airmen assigned to Air Forces Central led the Royal Saudi Air Force in completing its inaugural Chief Leadership Course Jan. 23 at a training... MORE

A mobile training team of U.S. Airmen assigned to Air Forces Central poses for a photo with Royal Saudi Air Force members during the graduation ceremony of the inaugural Chief Leadership Course in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Jan. 23, 2025. The 17-day course was modeled after the USAF’s CLC, incorporating lessons from the First Sergeants’ and Noncommissioned Officer academies.

Iowa Wing Joins International Cyber Defense Competition
February 26, 2025 — AMES, Iowa - Airmen of the 168th Cyberspace Operations Squadron assigned to the 132d Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, participated in the International Cyber Defense Competition Feb. 22 at Iowa State... MORE

Maj. Joerge Baack, center, the 168th Cyberspace Operations Squadron director of operations, monitors his team during the International Cyber Defense Competition Feb. 22, 2025, at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Cyber teams from the armed forces of Kosovo, Albania and Northern Macedonia participated with university teams from Iowa State, Kansas, DePaul, Northern Iowa, Drake and several Iowa high schools.

Air Guard, Reserve Medics Help Clear Recruiting Bottleneck
February 26, 2025 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Thirty-five Air National Guard and 10 Reserve component Airmen executed a surge initiative to address severe backlogs at military entrance processing stations across the United... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Maskell, a dentist assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard 162nd Wing, examines a patient during Kodiac Arctic Care 24 in Kodiak, Alaska, May 9, 2024. U.S. Uniformed Services personnel joined Kodiak Arctic Care under the Innovative Readiness Training program, which partnered with the Kodiak Area Native Association to deliver free medical, dental optometry, and veterinary services on Alaska's remote Kodiak Island.

Colombia, Germany Join South Carolina Best Warrior Events
February 26, 2025 — EASTOVER, S.C. – Twenty competitors from every corner of the Palmetto State, Colombia and Germany are participating in South Carolina’s Best Warrior Competition Feb. 24-28 to determine the next... MORE

A South Carolina National Guard Soldier participates in an Army Combat Fitness Test during the South Carolina Best Warrior Competition at the McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina, Feb. 24, 2025.

Kendrick is 14th Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major
February 25, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Surrounded by family, friends and National Guard leaders from the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia, Command Sgt. Maj. James Brian Kendrick officially assumed the... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. James Brian Kendrick officially assumed the role of 14th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard at a ceremony at the Herbert R. Temple Center Feb. 18, 2025. Kendrick, whose Army career spans over 35 years, succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, the seventh senior enlisted advisor to the National Guard Bureau chief.

COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal Reinstatement
February 24, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Former Army National Guard Soldiers: You can continue your service in the Army National Guard.If you are a Soldier who separated solely due to refusing the COVID-19 vaccine... MORE

2nd Lt. Kyle Funk, military police officer, 323rd Military Police Company, conducts fast rope insertion and extraction system training out of a CH-53K King Stallion helicopter during Exercise Northern Strike at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Mich., Aug. 5, 2024. Fast-roping is a technique for descending a thick rope, allowing troops to deploy from a helicopter in places where the aircraft cannot touch down.

172nd Airlift Wing Opens State-of-the-Art Small Arms Range
February 24, 2025 — JACKSON, Miss. - Members of the 172nd Airlift Wing celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art small arms range in Jackson Jan. 24.The fourteen-lane, fully enclosed facility is rated for munitions up... MORE

Staff Sgt. Marcus Johnson, combat arms lead instructor with the 172nd Security Forces Squadron, engages his target at the inaugural test fire at the new 172nd Airlift Wing small arms range in Jackson, Mississippi. The Mississippi National Guard and the 172nd Airlift Wing celebrated the opening of the state-of-the-art small arms range Jan. 24, 2025.

Hawaii Air Guard, Indonesian Air Force Advance Partnership
February 24, 2025 — DENPASAR, Indonesia – Hawaii Air National Guard personnel from the 154th Wing participated in air-to-air refueling with the Indonesian Air Force to support F-16 recertification requirements identified... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Capt. Sophie Bargiel and 1st Lt. Alison Bowman, 203rd Air Refueling Squadron pilots, conduct an air-to-air refueling training mission over Indonesia Feb. 19, 2025. This bilateral training, supported by the 154th Wing, enables Indonesian Air Force pilots to recertify their F-16 air refueling qualifications while strengthening interoperability and regional security.

Guardsmen Display Hand-to-Hand Combat Skills
February 24, 2025 — CAMP SMITH, N.Y. - In a display of strength, agility and technical prowess, 21 New York and Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competed in the Minutemen Combative Competition Feb. 2-3... MORE

Massachusetts Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Gerald Meuse, assigned to 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, and New York National Guard Maj. Joshua Bennet, assigned to the 42nd Infantry Higher Headquarters Battalion, are awarded lightweight and heavyweight awards in the Minutemen competition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., Feb.2, 2025. The two-day event tested military members' combat training in martial arts disciplines.

140th Medical Group Trains on Combat Casualty Care
February 24, 2025 — BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Members of the 140th Medical Group, Colorado Air National Guard, participated in tactical combat casualty care training Jan. 28-31.TCCC replaced Self-Aid and Buddy... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Guthrie, right, instructs U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Shimel as he provides care to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Parmelee during total combat casualty care training at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, Jan. 29, 2025. The Airmen are 140th Medical Group aerospace medical technicians.

North Carolina Guard Soldier Completes Dozens of Missions
February 24, 2025 — GREENSBORO, N.C. – For many, serving in the North Carolina National Guard means answering the call when their state and nation need them most. Few exemplify this commitment more than Sgt. 1st Class... MORE

All-Hazards Response Teams conduct preventative maintenance checks and services on their vehicles to stay ready for on-call missions during Winter Storm Kingston in Greensboro, North Carolina., Feb. 19, 2025. The North Carolina National Guard supports North Carolina Emergency Management in responding to and mitigating the effects of severe winter weather in North Carolina.

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

Forging Partnerships: The National Guard in the Indo-Pacific

Kentucky Guard MEDEVAC Prepares for Deployment to Europe