An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Dec. 13, 2006

National Guard Museum opens OIF/OEF exhibit

By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON - A new interactive exhibit that showcases the National Guard’s participation in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom went on display Dec. 6, a week before the National Guard observed its 370th birthday.

More than 100 visitors viewed the National Guard Museum’s OEF/OIF exhibit which displays Guard members’ equipment, uniforms and photographs from the ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Officials at the National Guard Association of the United States, where the museum and exhibit are located, hope the exhibit will further the story of the National Guard and its service to the states and nation by catering to the tourists who visit Washington each year.

The NGAUS museum and library already offer a large collection of Guard artifacts and reference materials for visitors. The items are managed and funded by the National Guard Educational Foundation (NGEF) through the Guard association.

“As a museum, we tell the story of the Guard from 1636 to now,” said Jason Hall, director of the NGEF. “Until today, we were lacking a major part of that history: Guardsman in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

But the best part of the opening, Hall said, was to watch the veterans appreciating it. “It’s for them,” he said.

Four Army Guard Soldiers and one Air Guard member donated the items on display. They include a flight suit, flight gloves, G-suit, a flight tunic, a battle dress uniform and boots, and an interactive collection of photographs from Guard units around the country.

“I think it’s very important that we offer a bigger story because the National Guard has such a large role in OEF/OIF,” said Maj. Kenneth Stice who attended the opening with his wife.

Stice’s uniform and boots are displayed in a glass case along with a photo from Iraq where he served with the Arizona Army Guard’s 2220th Transportation Company during its deployment from 2003 to 2004.

“I was proud that they accepted my uniform. It’s a beautiful display,” Stice said. “It gives a better understanding of what we’ve done.”


The granite and glass NGAUS Memorial Building is located on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Capitol Street within sight of the Capitol. Visiting hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment. People can contact Jason Hall at jhall@ngaus.org or 1-888-22NGAUS for special group tours.

 

 

Related Articles
Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team practice various close quarter battle techniques at the live fire shoot house complex at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, June 10, 2025. The Soldiers conducted several iterations to practice movement while firing live rounds. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)
Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Train at Live-Fire Shoot House
By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell, | July 17, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Soldiers from Pennsylvania Army Guard’s B Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducted training at the live-fire shoot house here during the unit’s...

New York Air and Army National Guard medical personnel examine a “casualty’s ” triage tag before loading victim into the  cargo bay of a 105th Airlift Wing Globemaster III airlifter at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, on June 6, 2025 during a medical evacuation training exercise. The Army Army and Air Guard medical personnel joined Active Soldiers from Keller Army Community Hospital at West Point in conducting a “tail-to-tail” drill in which casualties were off-loaded directly from an Army Medevac helicopter into the C-17.
N.Y. Army, Air Guard Partner for Medical Evacuation Exercise
By Eric Durr, | July 17, 2025
NEWBURGH, N.Y. — New York Army and Air National Guard medical personnel teamed up with their active component Army counterparts from West Point’s Keller Army Community Hospital for a three-day exercise that tested all parts...

U.S. Army Spc. Massan Signon, wheeled vehicle mechanic (91B) with the D.C. National Guard’s 104th Maintenance Company, stands for a photograph at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, in Washington, D.C., on June 21, 2025. Spc. Signon is part of a dedicated team that performs routine maintenance, emergency repairs, and recovery operations, which are vital for keeping the Army's vehicles operational and ready for deployment at a moment's notice. Their work directly impacts the ability to respond to missions.
Why I Serve: D.C. Guard Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Excels in Operational Relevance
By Ayan Sheikh, | July 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — From Togo to the nation’s capital, U.S. Army Spc. Massan Signon of the 104th Maintenance Company has embraced every challenge with determination and a commitment to service.A wheeled vehicle mechanic with the...