Guard News - The National Guard

Texas Air Guard Deploys MQ-9 to Help Fight Wildfires
April 9, 2024 — HOUSTON - The Texas Air National Guard deployed an uncrewed aerial system in March to help the Texas Department of Emergency Management and local fire departments combat fires that engulfed the... MORE

An MQ-9 crew prepares to launch the aircraft at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston March 9, 2024. The 147th deployed an MQ-9 to help fight the Smokehouse Creek Fire in northern Texas, providing real-time video to civilian agencies and local firefighters.

Guard Employs AI to Battle Wildfires, Improve Disaster Response
April 8, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Inside the bustling confines of an operations center, National Guard members quickly assemble information from multiple sources, piecing together the “big picture” from ground and air... MORE

Kenneth C. McNeill, a senior executive service member and the chief information officer of the National Guard Bureau, speaks to Project Theia officials and other interested parties during a discussion at the Pentagon Feb., 2, 2023. Named after the Greek goddess of sight, Theia centralizes video data, then applies Artificial Intelligence solutions to increase situational awareness among those responding to natural or man-made disasters.

National Guard-led Space Exercise Helps Build Programs for NATO Partners
April 8, 2024 — RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – About 50 members of the Air National Guard and Romanian and Polish Armed Forces focused on space as a warfighting domain during exercise Vulcan Guard Bolt 6 at NATO’s... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Javin Delgado, an electronic warfare specialist with the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing, prepares to calibrate electronic warfare equipment as Senior Airman Oscar Mendoza, a space systems operator with the 148th Space Operations Squadron, looks on during Vulcan Guard Bolt 6, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 27, 2024. Though not part of the mission planning portion of the space-focused exercise, Delgado and Mendoza showcased EW assets to Vulcan Guard participants and distinguished visitors.

Operation Guide Wire Broadens 178th Airmen’s Skills
April 8, 2024 — SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Airmen from the 178th Mission Support Group worked with 123d Air Control Squadron members and Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment, during Operation Guide Wire, an... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 178th Mission Support Group and 123d Air Control Squadron board a UH-60 Black Hawk from 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment, during Operation Guide Wire on Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base, Ohio, April 4, 2024. The UH-60 transported Airmen to a landing zone at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where a tactical operations center was set up.

New Jersey, Delaware, Idaho Guard Conduct Interagency Training
April 5, 2024 — TRENTON, N.J. - The New Jersey, Delaware and Idaho National Guard participated in interagency chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives training with the FBI and state and... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Robert Wittig, left, closes the helmet on Senior Airman Russell J. Bongiovanni’s EOD-10E bomb suit. The explosive ordnance disposal technicians with the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard, were participating in the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosives Characterization, Exploitation, and Mitigation Course at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey, March 27, 2024.

Alaska Air Guard Rescue Airmen Help 3 Over Easter Weekend
April 5, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel of the 176th Wing medically evacuated a stroke victim from Bethel March 30 before rescuing two injured snowmachine... MORE

A 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II refuels a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk during training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 23, 2020. During a March 30, 2024, medical evacuation mission from JBER to near Ruby about 175 miles west of Fairbanks on the Yukon River, HC-130 refueling was necessary to extend the range of the HH-60.

New York Guard Civil Support Team Trains Aboard Ship
April 4, 2024 — ALBANY, N.Y. - Twenty-one Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the New York National Guard’s 2nd Civil Support Team tested their ability to detect weapons of mass destruction aboard a World War II... MORE

Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team complete a communication check before executing an exercise aboard the USS Slater museum ship in Albany, New York, March 28, 2024. The CST Soldiers and Airmen worked with the New York State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify radiological sources aboard the ship during the joint training exercise.

Kentucky Air Guard Assists with Storm Recovery
April 3, 2024 — PROSPECT, Ky. - Fourteen members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron cleared roadways after tornados touched down across the region.The Airmen arrived with four trucks... MORE

Fourteen members of the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron cleared roadways in Prospect, Ky., April 3, 2024, after multiple tornados touched down in the region. The Airmen removed multiple fallen trees that blocked access to about 100 homes.

National Guard Continues Work to Eradicate Sexual Assault, Harassment
April 3, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Guard continues to take action to prevent sexual assault and harassment within its ranks, provide victim care and support, and foster a culture to eradicate sexual... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Giselle Wilz, director of staff with the National Guard Bureau, signs the 2024 National Guard Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month proclamation as Chief Master Sgt. Kelly Hoffses, the senior enlisted advisor to the director of staff, looks on during a ceremony at the Herbert R. Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington Hall Station, in Arlington, Virginia, April 1, 2024.

Alaska Air National Guard Medevacs Critically ill Patient
April 2, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Two Alaska Air National Guard Airmen jumped from a 176th Wing combat search and rescue aircraft into the village of Kotlik March 22 to expedite medical care... MORE

Framed by the tail of a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II, a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk, carrying 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel personnel recovery Airmen, sorties from Unalakleet, Alaska, March 21, 2024. The HH-60 transloaded Guardian Angels to the HC-130 before continuing to Kotlik for a medical evacuation mission.
Framed by the tail of a 211th Rescue Squadron HC-130J Combat King II, a 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk, carrying 212th Rescue Squadron Guardian Angel personnel recovery Airmen, sorties from Unalakleet, Alaska, March 21, 2024. The HH-60 transloaded Guardian Angels to the HC-130 before continuing to Kotlik for a medical evacuation mission.

Puerto Rico Guard Partners with Sister Services in Joint Exercise
March 29, 2024 — CEIBA, Puerto Rico - The 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, participated in a joint training field exercise March 15.The exercise at Roosevelt Roads included service... MORE

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 156th Tactical Advisory Squadron, Puerto Rico Air National Guard, and a U.S. Soldier assigned to the 1st Mission Support Command, Army Reserve, assume defensive positions during a joint training noncommissioned officer leadership field exercise at Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba, Puerto Rico, March 15, 2024. The exercise included service members with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, Marine Corps Reserve, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve.

Army Guard Recognizes Top Recruiting, Retention Soldiers
March 28, 2024 — HOUSTON – More than 40 Soldiers in pristine World War II-style Army green dress uniforms lined the wall of a hotel ballroom as Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, recognized... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Williams, right, Washington Army National Guard, receives the Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award from Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, at the Director’s Strength Maintenance Awards Conference in Houston March 14, 2024. The conference enabled recruiting and retention Soldiers to network, exchange best practices, and honor the Army National Guard’s best recruiters.

The Hometown Heroes of Tower 22
March 27, 2024 — UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - The Guardsmen hailed from hometowns across America, but when they found themselves deployed to a remote desert outpost in the no man’s land where the borders of Jordan, Iraq and... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, and SEA Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the CNGB, visit National Guardsmen deployed within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility March 15, 2024.

National Guard Leaders Visit Troops Deployed in Middle East
March 27, 2024 — KUWAIT - The National Guard’s most senior officer and enlisted leader visited Guardsmen deployed across the Middle East in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield March... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, right, chief, National Guard Bureau, and SEA Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the CNGB, visit National Guardsmen deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility March 15, 2024.

Alaska Guard Black Hawk Aviators Train at Marine Corps Course
March 26, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Aviators from the Alaska Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence are training at the Marine Corps Weapons Weapons and Tactics... MORE

UH-60L and CH-53 helicopters flying at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona.

Missouri Airmen, Soldiers Showcase Sharpshooting Skills
March 26, 2024 — NEOSHO, Mo. - Nine Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing earned the Schützenschnur, or German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge, during the adjutant general’s annual marksmanship competition at Camp... MORE

Missouri National Guard Airmen and Soldiers pose for a group photo during the 2024 adjutant general's annual TAG Match marksmanship competition at Camp Crowder, Neosho, Missouri. Nine Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing earned the Schützenschnur, or German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge.

National Guard Wins 2024 U.S. Army Small Arms Championship
March 26, 2024 — FORT MOORE, Ga. – Staff Sgt. John Jordan, representing the South Carolina National Guard, secured the title of 2024 All Army Champion at the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships at Fort Moore, Georgia,... MORE

Staff Sgt. John Jordan of the South Carolina National Guard won the title of 2024 All Army Champion at the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships at Fort Moore, Georgia, March 10-16. Jordan’s team, South Carolina Alpha, also claimed the title of 2024 U.S. Army Small Arms Team Champions.

Air National Guard Wings Participate in Agile Rage Exercise
March 26, 2024 — SAVANNAH AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ga. - Almost 200 members of the 106th Rescue Wing, New York Air National Guard, participated in the Agile Rage 2024 exercise at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing on F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base board an HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft on F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y., during Exercise Agile Rage 2024, Feb. 29, 2024. The combat readiness exercise emphasized the execution of the Agile Combat Employment concept.

Vermont National Guard Biathletes Compete in World Cup
March 25, 2024 — MIDWAY, Utah - Three Vermont National Guard Soldiers were among the Americans competing in the first International Biathlon Union World Cup hosted by the United States in five years.Sgt. Deedra Irwin,... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Deedra Irwin, left, human resources specialist, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard, celebrates completing the Women's 10 km Pursuit with her U.S. Biathlon teammate, Margie Freed, during the International Biathlon Union World Cup races at Soldier Hollow in Utah March 10, 2024. The last time the U.S. hosted World Cup races was in 2019.

West Virginia Guard Fighting Wildfires From the Air
March 22, 2024 — CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Two West Virginia National Guard UH60M and HH60M Black Hawk helicopters and personnel helped the West Virginia Division of Forestry and local government and emergency management... MORE

West Virginia National Guard personnel used two Black Hawk helicopters and buckets to help battle wildfires in Hardy County, West Virginia, March 22, 2024.

DC National Guardsman Stops Assault at the National Mall

Beyond the Uniform: New Hampshire Airman’s Training Becomes a Lifeline

Washington Guard, U.S. Army Reserve Conduct Helocast Training in the Pacific Northwest

Guard Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldiers from Four States Unite for Training

Connecticut Air Guard Provides Rapid Fighter Jet Refueling, Rearming in Record Time