Guard News - The National Guard

NewYork Guard's Joint Task Force Empire Shield: Guarding NYC transit hubs since 9/11
September 9, 2016 — NEW YORK CITY - Musician John Legend recently performed at the opening of a new shopping mall inside an 800,000-square-foot facility which also serves as a commuter hub at the World Trade Center site... MORE

Sgt. Erislav J. Astanov, left, and Spc. Saul Revatta, both part of the New York National Guard’s Joint Task Force Empire Shield, stand guard in a shopping mall and commuter hub at the World Trade Center complex in New York City. The mission of JTF Empire Shield is to detect and deter terrorism— a mission they’ve been carrying out since Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by C. Todd Lopez)

Hawaii Air Guard hosts Sentry Aloha training exercise
September 9, 2016 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The Hawaii Air National Guard recently kicked off Sentry Aloha, a training exercise that focuses on integration of fighter and support aircraft in a simulated... MORE

A flight of two C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Airlift Wing bank right while flying to a drop zone under fighter aircraft escort during exercise Sentry Aloha at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Sentry Aloha focuses on integration of fighter and support aircraft in a simulated combat setting. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Stan Pak)

Florida National Guard prepares for Hurricane Hermine
September 2, 2016 — WASHINGTON — As Category 1 Hurricane Hermine heads for Florida’s Gulf Coast, about 100 Soldiers and Airmen of the Florida National Guard have been activated as part of an initial preparatory package... MORE

Pa. Army Guard Soldier aids heart attack victim
September 1, 2016 — GREENSBURG, Pa. — Pfc. Fred Vandenheuvel was enjoying dinner with fellow Guard members at a Greensburg restaurant when he witnessed a man collapse. With a background in law enforcement and as a first... MORE

Pfc. Fred Vandenheuvel, a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 252nd Engineer Company rendered aid to a man who suffered a heart attack while dining in a local restaurant. (Courtesy Photo)

Army secretary wants nation to understand its Army better
August 29, 2016 — JOINT BASE EUSTIS-LANGLEY, Va. - Secretary of the Army Eric K. Fanning wants the nation at large to understand its Army better. His intent is not a personal goal, but rather a mission he has directed... MORE

Chief Warrant 4 William Sherman, 73rd Transportation Company large tug vessel master for U.S. Army Vessel Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott (LT-805), briefs Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning about the vessel's capabilities at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Aug. 25, 2016. The Winfield Scott is a large ocean-going vessel capable of deploying anywhere in the world from its current location.

Sun fuels Ohio National Guard's alternative energy initiatives
August 29, 2016 — COLUMBUS, Ohio — The power of the sun is being harnessed to generate electricity at several National Guard facilities throughout the state, with plans to expand the use of alternative energy in the... MORE

Ronald Gooch, energy specialist for the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department, inspects one of the more than 300 solar panels at the Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler Armory Aug. 11, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. Solar power has been a part of the Ohio National Guard’s efforts to reduce energy consumption since 2009, with solar arrays currently at seven facilities throughout the state and plans to expand further.

Texas Guard support Louisiana neighbors and battle buddies in need
August 25, 2016 — HOUSTON — Texas Guard members from the 1st Battalion, 149th Attack-Reconnaissance Battalion in Houston collected and delivered supplies to fellow Guard troops who were affected by recent flooding in... MORE

Texas Army National Guard Cadet David Williams, 149th Attack-Reconnaissance Battalion, and a current resident of Baton Rouge in Houston collected supplies to bring to Louisiana Guardsmen who lost their homes to the recent flooding in Baton Rouge, August 21, 2016. Texas Guardsmen from the unit collected more than 20 bags of clothes, appliances, tools, diapers, baby formula and food for the victims of the natural disaster and transported them more than 250 miles for the guardsmen and their families.

New National Guard Bureau chief has strong ties to Texas
August 23, 2016 — JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas – A former member of the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard, was promoted Aug. 3 to the rank of general and became the 28th Chief of the National... MORE

Air Force Gen. (then Maj.) Joseph L. Lengyel, second from left, the 28th chief of the National Guard Bureau, stands alongside fellow F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard, during an overseas deployment, circa 1996. Lengyel was a member of the wing from 1991-2004. Pictured left to right: Bryan Bailey (unknown rank), Lengyel, Mike Littrell (unknown rank), and Ray Segui (unknown rank). (Photo courtesy of Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel via www.Facebook.com/GeneralLengyel)

North Carolina National Guard trains with rural responders in hostage, drug lab scenario
August 22, 2016 — RURAL HALL, N.C. - A small town nightmare; local first responders investigated a hostage situation Aug. 17 at the Rural Hall train depot and found a chemical lab. Local fire, rescue, emergency... MORE

Operation Foothills Iron Horse at Rural Hall, North Carolina, Aug. 17, 2016, tests the readiness of the North Carolina National Guard's 42nd Civil Support Team to deploy for a joint response led by local first responders to natural and man-made chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats. “Interoperability is the big thing so we can work together,” said Melton J. Sadler, director, Forsyth County Emergency Management Department.

Louisiana National Guard reflect on efforts during flood response
August 22, 2016 — BATON ROUGE, La. – Since being activated one week ago on Aug. 12, the Soldiers and Airmen of the Louisiana National Guard have been working taround the clock conducting several missions including... MORE

General Joseph L Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, shakes the hands of Louisiana National Guard members participating in emergency flood operations in Baton Rouge on Aug. 12, 2016. Baton Rouge

U.S. marks National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week
August 22, 2016 — WASHINGTON — By presidential proclamation, this week is National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week. The proclamation signed Aug. 19 by President Barack Obama calls on all Americans to... MORE

This week recognizes the important role employers play in the lives of Guard and Reserve members and their families.

Louisiana Guard continues response, postures for future missions
August 18, 2016 — BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard continues to conduct response efforts, recovery missions, and preposition vehicles and assets in potentially affected areas, as directed by Gov. John... MORE

Louisiana National Guardsmen convoy to a boat launch in order to conduct door-to-door Search and Rescue missions near Maurepas, La., Aug. 17, 2016. The Louisiana National Guard continues to conduct response efforts, recovery missions, and preposition vehicles and assets in potentially affected areas, as directed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, since operations began, Aug. 12.

146th Airlift Wing joins California Guard wildfire fight
August 18, 2016 — SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing has activated two C-130J Hercules aircraft joining state and local authorities supporting firefighting efforts across the... MORE

A California Air National Guard Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipped C-130 drops retardant over Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to fight wildfire.

Texas Guardsmen get back to basics with base defense
August 17, 2016 — Ft. Hood, Texas – Members of the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, like all Soldiers in the Texas Army National Guard, have two primary missions: domestic support and overseas warfighting. During... MORE

Soldiers from 636th Brigade Support Battalion, 836th Engineer Co. (Sappers), and 136th Military Police Co. participate in base defense training during the 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Exportable Combat Training Capability exercise at Ft. Hood, Texas, August 9-14. This exercise focuses on reinforcing and increasing proficiency in fundamental Soldier skills, such as shooting, moving, and communicating.

Louisiana Air National Guard provides security, aid and comfort
August 17, 2016 — BATON ROUGE, La. - The Louisiana Air National Guard mobilized more than 100 Airmen to maintain order and provide assistance at the Celtic Media Centre movie studio facility shelter in Baton Rouge in... MORE

Members of the 159th Fighter Wing, Louisiana Air National Guard transport flood evacuee and World War II veteran, Mr. Willis Woods from the Celtic Media Centre shelter to a special needs facility near the Louisiana State University campus on August 15, 2016. The Louisiana National Guard mobilized more than 1,000 guardsmen in response to heavy flash flooding that occurred in south Louisiana on August 13, 2006.

Units work together to have a blast at Northern Strike 16
August 17, 2016 — CAMP GRAYLING JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Mich., - Whether it is the newest Soldier or a seasoned non-commissioned officer, field artillery Soldiers enjoy going to Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver... MORE

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery Charlie Battery out of Albion, Michigan, take part Exercise Northern Strike at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. The Soldiers are responding to a call for fire by firing the M 777 "Howitzer" 155 mm Aug. 12 2016.

Louisiana National Guard focuses on response, recovery simultaneously
August 16, 2016 — BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard began providing shelter support to the Baton Rouge River Center last night, as directed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, following search and rescue operations... MORE

Soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard offload citizens and pets displaced by rising floodwaters in Baton Rouge and the surrounding area at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge, La., Aug. 14, 2016.

California Air National Guard completes life-saving mission on Pacific Ocean
August 15, 2016 — Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif. - California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing completed an overwater rescue mission on the Pacific Ocean, saving the life of a seriously ill... MORE

An HH-60 Pave Hawk from the Alaska Air National Guard preps for landing on the USS Anchorage. HH-60 pilots need to stay current on all kinds of operations, including “deck landing” qualifications, so they can be proficient in various types of real-world missions.

Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major visits deployed troops
August 15, 2016 — CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner, the senior enlisted leader of the Army National Guard, was the keynote speaker at the Basic Leader Course graduation August 12 at Camp... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner, the senior enlisted leader of the Army National Guard, shakes the hands of Soldiers at the Basic Leader Course graduation August 12, 2016 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. His remarks were part of his week-long visit to National Guard troops assigned to U.S. Army Central’s area of operations.

Texas National Guard patch ceremony to initiate Army of one
August 15, 2016 — AUSTIN, Texas - After months of planning, the first step in the process was underway. Once the “change patch” order was given, the Associated Units Pilot Program accomplished its first task.Soldiers... MORE

Soldiers from Alaska National Guard’s Bravo Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 143rd Infantry Regiment, salute their parent Texas National Guard battalion for the last time during a ceremony held at Camp Mabry in Austin, August 13, 2016. The battalion was identified to partake in the Army's Associated Unit Pilot Program which pairs select National Guard and Reserve units with Active Duty units to train and build readiness together, enabling the Army to provide more combat ready formations to combatant commanders. As a part of the restructure process and the pilot program, the battalion’s two out of state airborne companies will switch their Airborne status with two Texas Army National Guard infantry companies.

D.C. National Guard Members Alert Police to Man Brandishing Knife at Waterfront Metro Station

Military Firefighters Hone Skills at Northern Strike

Alaska Guard Engineers Rebuild Observation Posts During Annual Training

Nevada National Guard Aerial Firefighters Mark Busy August

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialists from Kentucky Air Guard Recognized for Excellence