Guard News - The National Guard

Colorado National Guard member ends mountain rescue in a cast
October 12, 2012 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. - Soldiers, civilians and county sheriff's personnel worked in tandem to rescue injured climbers in the Indian Peaks mountain range Sept. 7.And a National Guardsman ended the day... MORE

Military rescuers joined civilian crews in saving a fallen climber in Colorado but the effort left one National Guard member with a broken lower leg.

Motorcycle Mentorship Program encourages safe enjoyment in the saddle
October 12, 2012 — SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - As temperatures drop sharply here around this time of year, many of the 'Coyotes' of Division West's 5th Armored Brigade are considering putting their motorcycles into winter... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Wyatt A. Vanzee, 5th Armored Brigade, Division West, performs an inspection of his Soldier’s motorcycle using the Tires and Wheels, Cables and Control, Lights, Oil and Fluids, Chassis and Sidestand pre-ride checklist at the recent Task Force Coyote safety ride at Sioux Falls, S.D.

Idaho Air National Guard firefighters help douse blaze in Boise
October 11, 2012 — BOISE, Idaho - Interagency training proves valuable.Just ask Staff Sgts. Jeffrey Sawmiller and Damon Williams. The men were already 14 hours into their 24-hour shift at the Gowen Field Fire Department... MORE

Staff Sgts. Damon Williams, left, and Jeffrey Sawmiller, 124th CEF, and the 4,000 gallon water tender responded to the off-base house fire that was caused by a charcoal grill Sept. 23.

Capital Shield Exercise preps D.C. National Guard for Inauguration
October 11, 2012 — WASHINGTON - The District of Columbia National Guard participated in the 2012 Capital Shield Exercise, a training event which emphasizes unity of effort for district and federal agencies operating in... MORE

D.C. National Guard members recently participated in training with other agencies to help protect the nation's capital.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Witham nominated as Deputy Director Air National Guard
October 11, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Air Force Brig. Gen. James C. "JC" Witham has been named the next Deputy Director of the Air National Guard. Witham had served as the Chief of Staff of the California National Guard... MORE

Brig. Gen. James Witham was photographed in the Pentagon on April 20, 2012.

Monique Muncy honored with second-highest private citizen award
October 11, 2012 — WASHINGTON - Three decades of selfless service to Airmen and their families recently earned Monique L. Muncy the prestigious Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award for Exceptional Public Service at a... MORE

Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt, Director of the Air National Guard, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C., presents the Chief of Staff of the Air Force award for exceptional public service to Monique Muncy, wife of Chief Master Sgt. Christopher E. Muncy, Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard, National Guard Bureau, Washington, D.C., during Chief Muncy's retirement luncheon at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Muncy retired after thirty-five years of service to his country and held the position of Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Air National Guard since May 2009.

Wis. National Guard's Challenge Academy directs troubled teens
October 9, 2012 — FORT McCOY, Wis. - The superintendent of the state Department of Public Instruction got a good look at the life of cadets taking part in a successful remediation program for at-risk teens.Dr. Tony... MORE

Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy Cadet Taelor Davis explains her binder to Dr. Tony Evers, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction superintendent, and Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, during a visit to the Challenge Academy.

Vote now for your choice of best Army PT uniform
October 9, 2012 — WASHINGTON - Back in February, the Army gave Soldiers a chance to weigh in on the Improved Physical Fitness Uniform. The Army took those Soldier suggestions and developed a possible replacement... MORE

One of the design options for the Improved Physical Fitness Uniform.

Odierno, Jill Biden announce education milestone for military kids
October 5, 2012 — FAIRFAX, Va. - More than 100 colleges and universities have signed on to a White House initiative to prepare educators for the unique needs of their military-connected students, Jill Biden said... MORE

Jill Biden speaks about being a military mother during a "Joining Forces" campaign event on educating educators at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Oct. 3, 2012.

Florida Soldiers hit the waves for Key West exercise
October 5, 2012 — KEY WEST, Fla. - In a state with thousands of miles of coastline, rivers and waterways, most Floridians are never far from the water. The same water that provides recreation and nourishes a tourism... MORE

A member of the Florida Army National Guard's Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, exits a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during an airborne training exercise in Key West, Fla., Sept. 27, 2012.

Troops at risk to predatory schools, businesses, spending
October 5, 2012 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. - For-profit colleges, pay-day loans, and spending temptations may turn into significant debt and worthless college degrees for military members, said Holly Petraeus, of the Consumer... MORE

Holly Petraeus, the assistant director at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the Office of Service Member Affairs, sits next to Command Chief Doug Hensala, state command chief for the Wyoming Air National Guard, as they both listen to Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, adjutant general for Wyoming, during a discussion on potential financial pitfalls for troops, Oct. 4, 2012.

MAFFS units set records this wildfire season, full of highs and lows
October 5, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Crews who fly the Air National Guard's Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules returned to their homestation due to favorable wildfire conditions this month,... MORE

Air crews in two C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, follow a U.S. Forest Service lead plane during Modular Airborne Firefighting System training April 16, 2012, over Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo. Air National Guard air crews recently wrapped up a near record breaking wildfire season, dropping more than 2.4 million gallons of fire retardant and water while battling wildfires in the western U.S.

Presidential Inaugural joint task force is now in business
October 4, 2012 — WASHINGTON - The Joint Task Force - National Capital Region 57th Presidential Inaugural Staff began preparations in support of the Presidential Inauguration. The task force is charged with... MORE

Parade participants march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the 2009 presidential inaugural parade in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20, 2009.

E-payments required for TRICARE Reserve Select and Retired Reserve monthly premiums
October 3, 2012 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - To avoid losing coverage, beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) who pay monthly premiums by check need to switch to an electronic... MORE

Multi-force Operation Deep Freeze underway in Antarctica
October 3, 2012 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The U.S. military recently kicked off the 2012-2013 season of Operation Deep Freeze, the Department of Defense's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the... MORE

An LC-130 Hercules waits on the ice at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Nov. 21, 2011, after returning from a scheduled Operation Deep Freeze re-supply mission to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. Operation Deep Freeze provides airlift support to the National Science Foundation, which manages the United States Antarctic Program.

Mobile devices would enable more nimble operations, official says
October 3, 2012 — WASHINGTON - Mobile devices are becoming the way we communicate, and the Defense Department views that change as an opportunity, the department’s deputy chief information officer for command, control,... MORE

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert E. Wheeler said National Cyber Security Awareness Month is a good time to consider what is involved in adopting mobile communications.

West Virginia Air Guard crew honored for saving plane after bird strike
October 2, 2012 — NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Quick thinking and exemplary teamwork allowed an aircrew from the 167th Airlift Wing to land safely after their Air Force C-5 Galaxy aircraft sustained severe damage to its... MORE

Crew members who received the 2013 Earl T. Ricks award pose in front of a C-5 Galaxy April 19, 2013. During an overseas mission the aircraft struck multiple birds during takeoff. Two engines were damaged but the crew managed to return the aircraft safely to the airfield.

Beat flu season with balanced diet, exercise and the flu shot
September 28, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - As fall and winter approach, so does cold and flu season. However, there are a number of ways that service members can ensure they stay healthy throughout the season.It starts with... MORE

Army Gen. Frank J. Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau, receives a flu vaccination at the Pentagon from Army Maj. Laurie Fontaine, a physicians assistant and medical standards officer with the Army National Guard Office of the Surgeon General, Monday, Sept. 24, 2012. The flu vaccine --which is mandatory for servicemembers to receive -- is one way servicemembers can remain healthy during the coming flu and cold season.

Conley takes reins as 10th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard
September 27, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The Army National Guard welcomed a new Soldier into the top enlisted position within the Army Guard.Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk W. Conley took over responsibilities as the 10th command... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Brunk Conley, the 10th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, accepts the noncommissioned officers sword from Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., director of the Army National Guard, symbolically taking on the responsibilities of his new position in a ceremony at the Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Va., Sept. 26, 2012.

Dempsey: Leadership, trust essential to battling suicide
September 26, 2012 — WASHINGTON - Military leaders have changed the way they approach suicide prevention, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a recent interview with American Forces Press Service.Driven... MORE

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony May 28, 2012.

Pennsylvania Guard Aviation Partners with Coast Guard

Arizona National Guard’s Task Force SAFE Strengthens Border Security

Idaho Guard Airmen Push Limits in Joint Field Training

Pennsylvania Guard Competes in Governor’s Twenty Marksmanship Competition

N.Y. National Guard Aircrews Train with Forest Rangers to Prep for Wildfires