Guard News - The National Guard

185th ARW exercise held despite COVID-19, Hurricane Sally
September 16, 2020 — SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing is conducting a mobility exercise this week after making a last-minute decision to move the event away from the Gulf Coast... MORE

Iowa Air National Guard members from the 185th Air Refueling Wing board a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules from the Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 14, 2020, for a mobility training exercise.

National Guard helps fight fires across Washington
September 16, 2020 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – More than 50 members of the Washington National Guard are helping the Department of Natural Resources battle wildfires. Three hand crews were pulled together Sept. 10 to assist... MORE

A Washington Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter loads up a water bucket in a lake near Bonney Lake, Wash., Sept 9, 2020. Washington National Guard flight crews dropped more than 280,000 gallons of water on the Sumner Grade Fire.

Pease Airmen first to execute coronets with KC-46A Pegasus
September 15, 2020 — KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Pease achieved another historic first in military aerial refueling. A year after the 157th Air Refueling Wing became the first Air National Guard unit in the country to field... MORE

From left, Capt. Erik Earle, Capt. Chris Schimmel, Maj. Matt Valentino, Master Sgt. Brett Peterson, Capt. Jordan Gauvin, Chief Master Sgt. Michael George and Maj. Leon Rice pose in front of a KC-46A Pegasus on Sept. 8, 2020, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The Pease Airmen executed the first official transoceanic coronet ever accomplished with a Pegaus refueler, which began Sept. 9 and involved 16 aerial refuelings of five F/A-18 jets.

Connecticut Air Guard squadrons collaborate to safely train
September 15, 2020 — EAST LYME, Conn. – The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges to training large groups. The week of Sept. 10, members of the 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron, 103rd Security Forces Squadron,... MORE

Connecticut National Guard Airmen from the 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron protect a convoy during expeditionary operations training at Stones Ranch Military Reservation in East Lyme, Connecticut, Sept. 10, 2020. Members of the 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron, 103rd Security Forces Squadron, 103rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, and 103rd Medical Group combined their expertise to conduct this key readiness training while protecting the health of participants.

Tennessee Guard tests Hurricane Sally first responders
September 15, 2020 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Soldiers with the Tennessee National Guard’s Task Force Medical conducted COVID-19 testing on nearly 40 emergency responders preparing to depart for Louisiana to assist with... MORE

Mississippi National Guard Spc. Jan Lao and Pfc. Mckenzie Smith of the 890th Engineer Battalion load supplies onto a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle in Gulfport, Miss., Sep. 14, 2020. The Soldiers will be part of a 10-person team on standby to rescue residents from flooded areas due to Hurricane Sally.

109th AW joins advanced battle management systems exercise
September 15, 2020 — SCOTIA, N.Y. – Thirty members of the New York Air National Guard from the 109th Airlift Wing flew two LC-130H “Skibirds” to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas to participate in a nationwide exercise... MORE

Elements of the 109th Airlift wing participate in a joint exercise at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas demonstrating the capability to establish and land at an austere landing area, secured by the 321st Contingency Response Squadron, carrying ordinance for rearming F-16 fighter jets from the 140th fighter wing (Buckley AFB).

40th ID conducts joint ops in Pacific from San Luis Obispo
September 15, 2020 — SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Soldiers with the California Army National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division constructed a command post at Camp San Luis Obispo at the end of August to support U.S. Army Pacific... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Carpenter, assigned to Cal Guard’s 40th Infantry Division, installs cables to the command post platform to connect power from the generators at Camp San Luis Obispo, California, Aug. 30, 2020, during Defender Pacific 20. The ability to rapidly surge combat-ready forces into and across the theater is critical in projecting forces at a moment’s notice to support regional alliances and the existing security architecture.

167th Airlift Wing helps with voluntary COVID-19 mapping
September 15, 2020 — MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Members of the 167th Airlift Wing continue to guide residents through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight unit members are conducting voluntary COVID-19 mapping for... MORE

Three members of the West Virginia National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing, from left, Capt. Rodney Brown, Staff Sgt. James Murray, and Staff Sgt. Erin Engle, are part of the COVID-19 contact tracing team at the Jefferson County Health Department, Martinsburg, W.Va., Aug. 20, 2020.

Wyoming National Guard to help fight California wildfires
September 14, 2020 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The Wyoming Army National Guard's G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, was activated by Gov. Mark Gordon to support firefighting efforts in California.One UH-60 Black... MORE

A National Guard helicopter drops water from a bucket onto a fire Aug. 23, 2020, in Healdsburg, California. This bucket has a 660-gallon capacity.

Kansas National Guard battery recognized as best in nation
September 14, 2020 — NEWTON, Kan. – The Kansas National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment, 130th Field Artillery Brigade, received the Alexander Hamilton Award recognizing the most... MORE

Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery Regiment, 130th Field Artillery Brigade Artillery, Kansas Army National Guard out of Newton, Kansas, conducts an emergency fire mission while en route to the next training area at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, September 2019. This mission is conducted as part of field artillery table certification.

Former Marine Reservists enlist in Idaho National Guard
September 14, 2020 — BOISE, Idaho – More than three-dozen former Marine Reservists enlisted into the Idaho Army National Guard Sept. 13. Idaho’s newest Citizen-Soldiers all served in Company C, 4th Tank Battalion, which... MORE

More than three-dozen former Marine Reservists enlisted into the Idaho Army National Guard Sept. 13, 2020, at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. Idaho’s newest Citizen-Soldiers all served at Gowen Field in Company C, 4th Tank Battalion, which was deactivated in August as the Marines look to divest its armor battalions.

Oregon National Guard deployed to help combat wildfires
September 14, 2020 — PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Air National Guard is sending 125 members to aid in fire emergency response efforts – 75 from the 142nd Wing at Portland ANG Base and 50 from Kingsley Field Air National... MORE

Oregon Air National Guard members from the 142nd Wing load gear in a truck before leaving from the Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore., Sept. 13, 2020. The Airmen departed to support Operation Plan Smokey, an interagency wildfire relief effort in the state.

Puerto Rico Guard disaster relief program a national effort
September 14, 2020 — CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Puerto Rico, a frequent hot spot for hurricanes out of the South Atlantic Ocean, has teamed with National Guard members across the U.S. to bolster its disaster relief response.Tech... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jose Reyes, the adjutant general, Puerto Rico, visits the 156th Wing at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, Aug. 19, 2020, while touring base facilities and the training site for the Disaster Relief Bed-down Systems the unit recently received.

Wisconsin National Guard helps battle California wildfires
September 14, 2020 — MADISON, Wis. — Two Wisconsin National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 15 Soldiers flew to California to assist the California National Guard as it battles wildfires raging across the state... MORE

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation, departed for California to battle wildfires Sept. 11, 2020, from Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Madison, Wis. Two aircraft and approximately 15 Soldiers deployed to California in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request for assistance from California.

Louisiana National Guard responds to hurricane, COVID-19
September 14, 2020 — NEW ORLEANS – The past two weeks, the nation has remembered both the 15-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the 19-year anniversary of the horrific 9/11 attacks, all while the state of Louisiana... MORE

Louisiana National Guard Pfc. Reion Jones with the 1-141st Field Artillery Battalion, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, hauls ice to a citizen's vehicle while working at a distribution site following Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Sept. 4, 2020.

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen rescue hunter
September 14, 2020 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard members of the 176th Wing rescued a hunter injured in an ATV accident Sept. 11 near Farewell Airport northwest of Anchorage. Alaska... MORE

An Alaska National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk conducts hoist training June 5, 2018, at Eklutna Glacier.

Connecticut Guard members respond to Hartford cyberattack
September 11, 2020 — HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Cyber Response Team responded to a ransomware attack on the city of Hartford and quickly restored critical systems necessary for the start... MORE

The Connecticut National Guard's Joint Cyber Response Team helped assist the city of Hartford's information technology team with recovery efforts following a ransomware attack against the city that delayed the first day of school Sept. 8, 2020. The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Cyber Response Team consists of Air and Army National Guard members that serve in a state active duty status to provide defensive cyber capabilities to the state of Connecticut and its municipalities.

VNG Soldiers train on CROWS remote weapons system
September 11, 2020 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from across the commonwealth trained on the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station Aug. 17-21. The course was designed to familiarize... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers from across the state conduct training on the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station during a one-week training course Aug. 17-21, 2020, at Fort Pickett, Virginia.

Eastern Air Defense adjusts to COVID-19 to continue mission
September 11, 2020 — ROME, N.Y. – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced military units large and small to find creative ways to maintain a healthy force while still defending the nation.One of these organizations is the 224th... MORE

New York National Guard Airmen training on the operations floor at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome, N.Y., in late August. To provide mission assurance during the COVID-19 pandemic, EADS redesigned the operations floor to enable social distancing during real-world operations and training missions.

Guard aircrews train to keep skills sharp
September 11, 2020 — LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Air National Guard aircrew members used their KC-135R Stratotanker to conduct air refueling exercises with four F-16s out of Buckley Air National Guard Base Aug. 12 in the... MORE

A KC-135 Stratotanker aircrew from the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing refuels four F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission, Aug. 12, 2020, from the 140th Fighter Wing, Buckley Air National Guard base, Denver, Colorado. This completed required training for the Colorado Air National Guard F-16 pilots as well as for the Nebraska KC-135 aircrew.

Louisiana Guard, Active Component Airmen Complete Air-to-Air Integration Training

Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In

Colorado Army National Guard Conducts Aviation Training for Wildfire Season

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs Highlights Virginia National Guard Excellence at Military Ball

Oregon Air Guard Participates in Sentry Aloha Exercise