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ACE is Focus of Southern Strike 2023 Exercise
April 26, 2023
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft is connected to a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for aircraft-to-aircraft refueling operations, one of the many agile combat employment strategies being tested at Exercise Southern Strike at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, April 20, 2023. The large-scale, joint and international combat exercise features agile combat employment, counterinsurgency, close air support, non-combatant evacuations, and maritime special operations.
Rhode Island Guard Battles Brushfires from the Air
April 25, 2023
Aircrews operating two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 1-126th Aviation Regiment, Rhode Army Island National Guard, provide aerial firefighting support to the large-scale brush fire in Exeter, Rhode Island, April 14, 2023.
Kentucky Guardsmen Awarded New State Ribbon for State Partnership Program
April 25, 2023
Kentucky National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were the first to receive a new state ribbon recognizing service with the State Partnership Program in a ceremony at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Kentucky, April 13, 2023. The new ribbon, the Kentucky State Partnership Program Ribbon, was created to honor Soldiers and Airmen who enhance military-to-military relationships in subject matter expert engagement with one of Kentucky’s partner nations, Ecuador and Djibouti.
Guard Names State Partnership Program Partnerships of the Year
April 25, 2023
Left to right, Ambassador Dennis Hankins, foreign policy advisor to the National Guard Bureau; Maj. Gen. William Zana, director of Strategic Plans and Policy and International Affairs for NGB; Lt. Col. Christopher Markesino from the Oregon National Guard; Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau; and Col. Scott Humphrey, chief of the National Guard Bureau International Affairs Division, during an awards presentation at the annual State Partnership Program conference April 20, 2023.
Tennessee, Georgia Guardsmen are Southeast’s Best Warriors
April 24, 2023
U.S. Army Sgt. Nicolas White, an indirect fire infantryman representing the Georgia Army National Guard, splashes water on his face after completing the confidence course during the Region III National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Fort Stewart, Ga., April 17, 2023. The competition tested the adaptiveness and lethality of our forces.
Hokanson: State Partnership Program Stable, Steadfast and Growing
April 21, 2023
Lt. Gen. Bashkim Jashari, commander of the Kosovo Security Force, is briefed on unit operations by the commander of the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Iowa Army National Guard, during a tour of training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, May 19, 2022. Approximately 15 KSF troops embedded with companies in the 1-133rd Infantry during a two-week annual training exercise.
West Virginia Guard, DISA lead U.S.-Romanian Cyber Team in Exercise
April 21, 2023
Members of the U.S.-Romania team take part in Exercise Locked Shields 2023 at the Morgantown Readiness Center in Morgantown, W.Va. The West Virginia National Guard, under the leadership of the Defense Information Security Agency, hosted more than 180 technical cyber experts and supporting representatives from federal and state agencies to compete on behalf of the U.S.-Romania team in the world’s largest international cyber defense exercise run virtually by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia.
Virginia Guard Participates in Arctic Forge in Finland
April 21, 2023
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, build extreme cold weather skills in advance of Exercise Arctic Forge 23 Feb. 19-20, 2023, in Sydonkyla, Finland. Exercise Arctic Forge 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led umbrella exercise that leverages the host-nation exercises Defense Exercise North in Finland, and exercise Joint Viking in Norway, focused on building capabilities and cooperation in support of the U.S. Army's Arctic Strategy.
National Guard Honored for Environmental Programs
April 21, 2023
Soldiers participate in bald eagle releases at Camp Ripley Training Center. The Minnesota Army National Guard Sustainability Team works with staff and units to instill sustainable practices within all operations, empowering all components of the organization to enhance environmental activities.
Guam National Guard Hosts Chief of Staff Advisory Council
April 21, 2023
National Guard chiefs of staff from Region VII render a solemn salute at the Guam National Guard Fallen Heroes Memorial in Barrigada April 18, 2023. The delegation spent three days on the island to discuss regional issues, share best practices, and gain a better understanding of the uniqueness of Guam's operational and cultural environment.
Alaska Army Guard Medevacs Injured Backcountry Skier
April 21, 2023
Alaska Army Guard Staff Sgt. Brad McKenzie, left, a crew chief and hoist operator, assists Spc. Matthew Tucker, a flight medic, both assigned to Golf Company, Detachment 2, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, as he prepares to be lowered from an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 10, 2023. Army Guard air crews conducted aerial insertion, medical evacuation and hoist training with Special Tactics Airmen, assigned to 24th Special Operations Wing, Detachment 1.
North Dakota Army Guard Partners with Togo, Benin to Counter IEDs
April 20, 2023
Staff Sgt. Alex Radi, 817th Engineer Company (Sapper), assists Benin Soldiers conducting a counter-IED mission in Ouassa, Benin, Feb. 16, 2023. The North Dakota National Guard Soldier worked with the Benin Soldiers to plan a practical exercise that incorporated counter-IED mission planning during mounted and dismounted patrols.
109th Airlift Wing Intel Airmen Take Part in Arctic Exercise
April 20, 2023
Canadian Army reserve and American National Guard Soldiers wait for takeoff in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, onboard a C-17 Globemaster III flown by the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing March 18, 2023, during Exercise Guerrier Nordique. The Soldiers were briefed by two intelligence Airmen assigned to the New York Air Guard's 109th Airlift Wing before heading north to the Arctic.
Oklahoma Army Guard Headed to Horn of Africa
April 19, 2023
Citizen-Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 179 Infantry Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard, prepare to board a plane in Oklahoma City April 17, 2023, bound for Fort Bliss, Texas. Task Force Tomahawk will take part in post-mobilization training before deploying to the Horn of Africa.
Air Guard Units Practice Aerial Wildland Firefighting
April 18, 2023
A C-130 (MAFFS 8) from Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Airlift Wing lines up before performing a water drop April 14, 2023, during Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System spring training hosted by the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing. The training was conducted in the Angeles National Forest near Green Valley, California, April 11-15.
Alaska Air Guard Demonstrates ACE Readiness
April 17, 2023
Master Sgt. Kyle Coffman of the 176th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, loads equipment into the cargo bay of a C-17 Globemaster III, preparing to leave for a flyaway readiness exercise with the 168th Wing at Volk Field, Wisconsin, April 1, 2023. The multiday exercise focused on the Air Force’s priority of Agile Combat Employment.
Lithuanian Partners Complete U.S. Army Flight Course
April 17, 2023
Lithuania air force Capt. Matas Leckas and Capt. Valius Urbonas became the first Lithuanian pilots to graduate from the UH-60M Aviator Qualification Course at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence during a ceremony at Fort Novosel, Alabama, April 4, 2023.
Pennsylvania Guard Aviators Train First Responders
April 17, 2023
U.S. Army Warrant Officer Dejour Hughes, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, demonstrates cockpit instruments to first responders at the Covington Independent Fire Company, Covington, Pennsylvania, April 15, 2023. Civil-military outreach engagements promote stronger relationships with first responders.
Hawaii, Arizona Air Guard Conduct Readiness Training
April 17, 2023
Hawaii Air National Guard Airmen from the 154th Force Support Squadron disassemble tent structures April 5, 2023, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Home Station Readiness Training event was an opportunity for the Air National Guard Force Support Squadron to improve readiness for deployment.
Wisconsin Guard Black Hawks Respond to Large Wildfire
April 14, 2023
A Wisconsin Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Madison-based Army Aviation Support Facility #2 carries a bucket of water to help fight a fire near Necedah in Juneau County April 12, 2023. The Wisconsin National Guard responded to a request for assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.