Guard News - The National Guard

Officials extend deadline to apply for 'Stop Loss' pay
March 22, 2012 — WASHINGTON - Service members and veterans whose military service was involuntarily extended under the "Stop Loss" program between the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Sept. 30, 2009, are eligible for... MORE

Oregon Air Guard unit trades snow for sun and sand during exercise Sentry Aloha
March 22, 2012 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - More than 90 Airmen from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon National Guard, left the snowy skies of Klamath Falls, Ore., for the tropical paradise of Hawaii March... MORE

Members of the 173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air National Guard, load up on a Tennesse Air National Guard C-5 Galaxy March 2, 2012. The 173rd Fighter Wing was on their way to Hickham Air Force Base, Hawaii, in support of Sentry Aloha, a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise that provides an opportunity for dissimilar aircraft combat training with a special focus on air-to-air combat between F-15, F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-22 Raptor aircraft.

ESGR announces nominations for 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
March 21, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense agency, received 3,236 nominations for the 2012 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.The Freedom... MORE

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Missouri Guard Biathlon Team fields two new recruits at national championships
March 21, 2012 — CAMP ETHAN ALLEN TRAINING SITE, Vt. - A three-man Missouri National Guard biathlon team recently competed at the 2012 Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships beginning in late... MORE

Together, Missouri National Guard's Staff Sgt. Tim Glavin, Sgt. Wayne Still, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mitch Simpson, and 2nd Lt. Danielle Bean, of the Vermont National Guard, make up the patrol team race at the 2012 Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Vt. Feb. 29, 2012.

New York Guard members continue tradition of leading N.Y. St. Patrick's Day parade
March 21, 2012 — NEW YORK - Step by step, and block by block, Soldiers of the New York National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, led the St. Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue, a tradition they have performed... MORE

Soldiers and the colors of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, march down Lexington Avenue in the shadow of the Chrysler Building as they return to their state armory march 17, 2012. The battalion, famous as the "Fighting 69th" of the Civil War, World War I and World War II service, has led the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade for more than 160 years.

Pennsylvania National Guard awards new state medal for outstanding public service
March 21, 2012 — HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania National Guard awarded the first two recipients of its new Major Octavius V. Catto Medal Feb. 25 during a ceremony at The Union League of Philadelphia.The first... MORE

The Pennsylvania National Guard awarded the first two recipients of its new Major Octavius V. Catto Medal Feb. 25 during a ceremony at The Union League of Philadelphia. The medal recognizes outstanding public service.

West Virginia Airman gives veteran final honor by sounding "Taps"
March 21, 2012 — MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The rendering of "Taps" at a military funeral is a final way for family members and service members to pay tribute to fallen veterans, but what happens when the bugle or trumpet... MORE

Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Todd Kirkwood, the 167th Airlift Wing avionics supervisor, was augmenting a funeral color guard for a veteran of three wars, when the electronic device inserted into the Ceremonial Bugle malfunctioned March 14, 2012.

Georgia Guard member, Wounded Warrior receives independence, new home
March 20, 2012 — STATESBORO, Ga. - An escort fit for a hero, conducted by a motorcade of police vehicles with blaring sirens and flashing lights and flag-bearing motorcycles, escorted Georgia National Guard member... MORE

Army Staff Sgt. Scott Millican, who was severely injured in Afghanistan in 2010, cuts the ceremonial ribbon and receives the keys to his new specially adapted home during a ceremony in Statesboro, Ga., March 10, 2012. A crowd of Soldiers and well wishers, including guest speaker Rep. John Barrow of Georgia, celebrated as Millican unlocked his new home. Homes for Our Troops, which fabricated the home, provide specially adapted homes to severely injured veterans at no cost to the veteran.

Minnesota National Guard takes home top honors at combatives tournament
March 20, 2012 — FORT BENNING, Ga. - The Georgia Army National Guard Warrior Training Center hosted the 5th annual National Guard Combatives tournament with over 145 Guard members traveling from 20 different states... MORE

Army Spc. Miles McDonald, Missouri Army National Guard, won the 2012 National Guard Combatives Tournament 115-pound featherweight class with a rear chokehold submission against Army Sgt. Terry Hams, Alaska Army National Guard March 19, 2012. Team Missouri placed second overall with 281 points.

Army Guard director tours Guard facilities in Hawaii
March 19, 2012 — HONOLULU - Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., the director of the Army National Guard, finished his first 100 days in his new post with a three-day tour of the National Guard Facilities in... MORE

Air Force Lt. Col. Mark Ladtkow, pilot with the 199th Fighter Squadron, briefs Army Lt. Gen. William E. Ingram Jr., Army National Guard director, on the capabilities of Hawaii's Air Guards F-22 Raptor during a tour of National Guard Facilities in Hawaii.

First Lady lauds Minnesota's military family support
March 19, 2012 — WASHINGTON - First Lady Michelle Obama met with military families and support group leaders in Minnesota last week to "shine a spotlight" on the state's efforts to aid troops and their... MORE

First Lady Michelle Obama walks across the tarmac with Megan Soukup, 9, and Joseph Hudella, 10, participants in the Defending the Blue Line program, as she prepares to greet military families at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minn., March 16, 2012. The First Lady traveled to Minnesota to meet with National Guard families and local community leaders dedicated to supporting military families.

President proclaims March 19 'National Day of Honor'
March 19, 2012 — WASHINGTON - On the ninth anniversary of U.S. forces moving into Iraq, President Barack Obama has proclaimed today to be "A National Day of Honor."Here's is the text of the president's... MORE

Massachusetts biathlon team races to National Guard Bureau championships
March 16, 2012 — CAMP ETHAN ALLEN, Vt. - The Massachusetts National Guard Biathlon team, as well as more than 100 National Guard competitors from 22 states, recently spent a week challenging themselves to shoot at... MORE

Massachusetts Army National Guard 1st Lt. Stephen Fiola shows Massachusetts Army National Guard Capt. Robert Charbonnier his target matches during pre-race training on February 26, 2012 during the 2012 Chief of the National Guard Bureau Biathlon Championships at the Camp Ethan Allen, Jericho, Vt.

New York National Guard members step off for NYC St. Patrick's Day parade
March 16, 2012 — NEW YORK - More than 800 Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment will mark 150 years since the American Civil War as the troops lead the world's largest... MORE

TSA announces date for expedited screening, additional airports
March 16, 2012 — WASHINGTON - On March 20 the Transportation Security Administration will expand their trusted traveler program known as Pre Check to service members out of Ronald Reagan Washington National... MORE

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal.

Air Force senior leaders: Wingmen key to reducing sexual violence
March 15, 2012 — WASHINGTON - The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Wing Commanders' Guide was sent out to wing commanders recently and contains statistics, facts and talking points to help leaders encourage... MORE

Florida National Guard officer receives prestigious leadership award
March 15, 2012 — ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Florida Army National Guard Capt. Benjamin Ruffner, was recently selected to receive the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, a prestigious award given to six National Guard... MORE

Florida Army National Guard Capt. Benjamin Ruffner accepts the guidon of the 690th Military Police Company from Army Lt. Col. Richard Elam, commander of the 254th Transportation Battalion, during a change of command ceremony in 2011.

FORSCOM commander conducts Northeast regional adjutants general conference
March 15, 2012 — HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. - Army Gen. David R. Rodriguez, Commanding General, United States Army Forces Command, conducted a Northeast Regional Adjutant General Conference here, March 8.FORSCOM is... MORE

Pictured from left to right: Air Force Maj. Gen. Thaddeus J. Martin, the
adjutant general, Connecticut National Guard, Air Force Maj. Gen.William N. Reddel, the adjutant general, New Hampshire National Guard, Army Maj. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, the adjutant general, New York National Guard, Army Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek, commanding general, First Army, Army Gen. David R. Rodriguez, commanding general, United States Army Forces Command, Army Maj.
Gen. Joseph C. Carter, the adjutant general, Massachusetts National Guard,Army Maj. Gen. Kevin R. McBride, the adjutant general, Rhode Island NationalGuard and Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael D. Dubie, the adjutant general, VermontNational Guard. All generals attended the Northeast Regional Adjutant GeneralConference at Hanscom Air Force Base, March 8, 2012.

Fundraising by military members in uniform is prohibited
March 15, 2012 — LATHAM, N.Y. - The Department of Defense Joint Ethics Regulation, as well as the regulations of each branch of the military services, prohibits fund raising activities while in uniform or acting in an... MORE

National Guard, active duty, Reserve optometrists provide free services to more than 300 patients per day
March 15, 2012 — KAUA'I, Hawaii - Optometrists were in high demand recently at the Hanapepe Innovative Readiness Training Facility located on one of the medically underserved areas on island of Kauai.National Guard... MORE

Air Force Lt. Col. Vince Simoncini, 113 Medical Group, D.C. Air NationalGuard, provides eye examinations to Hawaii residents as part of Tropic Care innovative Readiness Training on March 5, 2012. Tropic Care Innovative Readiness Training is comprised of military personnel assets of the U.S. Armed Forces to include active duty, Reserve and National Guard members who provide free medical services and conduct deployment and readiness training while forward deployed to medically underserved areas of Kaua'i, Hawaii, from Feb. 26 to March 10, 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