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
U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group prepare dummies for a simulated casualty evacuation at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 17, 2025. The 108th Medical Company engaged in a weeklong field medical exercise to validate their readiness and elevate their medical and basic Soldier skills. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Christopher Booker)
Pennsylvania Guard Medics Simulate Chaos in Exercise
By Capt. Christopher Booker, | July 18, 2025
FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania National Guard's 108th Medical Company Area Support, 213th Regional Support Group, are engaged in a comprehensive two-week field medical exercise here.The...

Nevada Air National Guard's 152nd Maintenance Group and 152nd Logistics Readiness Squadron personnel load Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipment onto MAFFS #8, aircraft #554 at the Nevada Air National Guard Base on July 12, 2025. U.S. Northern Command activated two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) Aircraft, one from the 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno, Nevada, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in California. Two C-130 aircraft equipped with MAFFS and their associated personnel will support firefighting efforts in the Western United States. The 152nd Airlift Wing’s “High Rollers” and 146th Airlift Wing's “Hollywood Guard” report on July 14, 2025, and will be initially based out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Base in California and are anticipated to be in place through August 14, 2025.
Nevada Air Guard Wing Assists in Firefighting Efforts
By Senior Master Sgt. Paula Macomber, | July 18, 2025
RENO, Nev. – U.S. Northern Command has activated two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System Aircraft, one from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing out of Reno, Nevada, and one from the 146th Airlift Wing out of...

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, join Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, the adjutant general of Texas, for an aerial assessment of flood-affected areas in Central Texas and to visit Guardsmen on duty supporting civil authorities with response efforts, Kerrville, Texas, July 15, 2025. To date, National Guard search and rescue operations, led by the Texas National Guard, have resulted in the rescue of more than 525 Texans. Hundreds of Guardsmen remain on mission to continue working with interagency partners in search and rescue and recovery operations.
Nordhaus, Raines see Heroism, Partnerships in Central Texas
By Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, | July 18, 2025
KERRVILLE, Texas – Early on July 4, almost 30 inches of rain fell within hours across Central Texas’s Hill Country, surging the Guadalupe River and triggering catastrophic flash flooding.Within hours, Texas National Guard...