GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – National Guardsmen from West Virginia and Connecticut are working closely with local organizations and Scouting America to ensure one of the country’s largest youth events runs smoothly and remains safe for participants, while strengthening their readiness for future operations.
About 15,000 Scouts, leaders, volunteers and staff from across the United States gathered for the 2026 National Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Fayette County, West Virginia, July 22-31. For Guardsmen supporting the event, the Jamboree provides valuable experience working in a multi-agency environment that mirrors the coordination required during natural disasters and domestic emergencies. It is a demonstration of interoperability – multiple organizations with different responsibilities, authorities and expertise operating as a unified team in support of the Jamboree.
“The Jamboree is a unique training opportunity for the Soldiers and Airmen of the West Virginia National Guard,” said Col. Ryan Harrah, commander of Task Force Events. “Because it provides a local training venue that exposes our younger Airmen and Soldiers to the meaning of interoperability and the role that they play in it.”
The Guardsmen also helped this week after a storm hit the Jamboree. Soldiers helped load 2,500 hygiene kits assembled by Scouts and Jamboree volunteers as well as nearly 2,500 cleaning bucket kits to be delivered to the Weston and Buckhannon Disaster Relief centers. Guardsmen also transported pallets of excess food donated from the National Jamboree’s own supply.
“These hygiene kits and food donations represent more than supplies,” said Glenn Ault, 2026 Jamboree chairman. “They represent compassion, kindness and the collective efforts of thousands of young people who wanted to help their fellow citizens during a difficult time.”
West Virginia has played an important role in the Scouting movement for years because it is the home of Scouting’s permanent high-adventure base and the site of the National Jamboree. This year marks the 13th year that the West Virginia National Guard has contributed personnel, planning expertise and specialized capabilities while working alongside partners including the Connecticut National Guard, West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Civil Air Patrol, West Virginia State Police, county emergency management agencies, local fire departments, emergency medical services, public health officials and Summit Bechtel Reserve staff.
Although each organization maintains its own mission, all participants operate within a unified framework that emphasizes communication, coordination and shared situational awareness. Whether responding to severe weather, supporting medical operations or managing transportation and logistics, decisions are made collaboratively, allowing agencies to leverage one another’s strengths.
The Guard has participated in planning conferences, tabletop exercises and coordination meetings that allow leaders to establish trust before challenges arise. When decisions must be made quickly, those existing relationships help reduce uncertainty, accelerate information sharing and improve operational effectiveness.
"The partnerships built before an incident are often the reason a response succeeds,” said Col. Robert Kincaid, dual status commander of Joint Task Force-National Scout Jamboree. “When everyone understands one another’s capabilities and responsibilities, coordination becomes much more effective.”
Through coordinated planning, communications, logistics, medical support, public safety, emergency management and other mission capabilities, the Guard and participating organizations help provide a safe, secure and successful event for Scouts, volunteers and visitors. This whole-of-government and community partnership demonstrates the value of interagency cooperation while supporting youth development, public service and national preparedness.
“It’s all about service, and it's all about enabling,” Kincaid said. “For us, what could be a greater connection back to the community and this country than being able to serve the young men and women that will be on the ground here?”
1st Lt. De-Juan Haley and Staff Sgt. Zoe Morris contributed