Guard News - The National Guard

Mississippi, Arkansas Guard Airmen Train with Coast Guard
August 30, 2023 — GULFPORT, Miss. - The 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Mississippi Air National Guard, and the 189th Medical Group, Arkansas Air National Guard, trained alongside Coast Guardsmen from Gulfport... MORE

Aeromedical evacuation technicians from the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron administer aid to a simulated patient during medical airlift evacuation training in Gulfport, Mississippi, July 20, 2023. The 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron conducted annual training with the 189th Medical Group, Arkansas ANG, U.S. Coast Guard New Orleans and Gulfport.

Montana, NM, Arizona Guard Provide Health Care on Reservation
August 29, 2023 — FORT BELKNAP AGENCY, Mont. - More than 100 service members, including Montana, New Mexico and Arizona National Guard personnel, conducted medical operations to support the 2023 Walking Shield... MORE

Over 100 service members from the Montana, Arizona and New Mexico National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Public Health Service and U.S. Air Force conducted medical operations for two weeks in August to support of the 2023 Walking Shield Innovative Readiness Training at the Fort Belknap Reservation, Montana.

Wyoming Guard Helps Rescue Injured Climbers
August 29, 2023 — CHEYENNE, Wyo. – A Wyoming Army National Guard helicopter crew, working alongside local first responders, completed a challenging 24-hour rescue mission of an injured climber.The harrowing incident... MORE

A Wyoming Army National Guard helicopter crew, working with local agencies, executes a daring aerial evacuation during a challenging 24-hour rescue mission in Box Elder Canyon, Converse County, Aug. 15, 2023. The operation successfully extracted two climbers.

Hawaii Army National Guard Supports Maui Wildfire Response
August 28, 2023 — LAHAINA, Hawaii – In the aftermath of devastating wildfires, the shaka endures as a poignant symbol of peace, goodwill and unyielding hope in Lahaina. With thumbs and pinkies extended, around 660... MORE

Spc. Kaimana McBrayer, a fire control specialist with the Hawaii Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment, pops a “Shaka” hand gesture while directing traffic as part of the National Guard’s response to the deadly Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug 25, 2023. The Defense Department and the U.S. Coast Guard are supporting the FEMA-led response to the deadliest wildfire in Hawaii’s history.

Louisiana National Guard Mobilized to Battle Wildfires
August 28, 2023 — NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard activated 97 Soldiers to help fight wildfires in Beauregard Parish. LANG helicopter crews began water-drop missions on Aug. 23, assisting the Louisiana... MORE

The Louisiana National Guard deployed one engineer assessment team and 16 bulldozers with crew members from the 225th Engineer Brigade to Singer to help the Louisiana Forestry Department clear and widen fire lanes to help prevent the spread of wildfires in the area. Almost 100 Soldiers were supporting the wildfire response, including Black Hawk and Chinook helicopter crews.

North Dakota Army Guard Soldiers Compete to be Best Warriors
August 28, 2023 — DEVILS LAKE, N.D. - Twenty North Dakota Army National Guard Soldiers from across the state pushed themselves through a grueling four-day gauntlet of events, testing their physical and mental limits in... MORE

Winners of the North Dakota Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition conducted Aug. 17-20, 2023:

Noncommissioned officer, Sgt. Avery Johnson, 188th Army Band.
Soldier, Spc. Caleb Claxton, 3662nd Maintenance Company.

Runners-up:

NCO - Sgt. Max Dahl, D Detachment, 188th Battalion, Air Defense Artillery.
Soldier - Spc. Jonathan Lange, Company D, 112th Aviation Battalion.

Lt. Gen. Jensen: Army National Guard Better Than Ever
August 28, 2023 — RENO, Nev. – Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, the 22nd director of the Army National Guard, says the Army Guard is the best it’s ever been.Jensen, who has commanded at the company, battalion, brigade and division... MORE

Army Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, addresses attendees at the 145th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference, Reno, Nevada, Aug. 20, 2023. Jensen said the Army National Guard is the best it's ever been.

Airmen of the Year Recognized During Focus on the Force Week
August 25, 2023 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - Four National Guard Airmen were recognized as Outstanding Airmen of the Year at a ceremony Aug. 24 at the Air National Guard Readiness Center.As part of the Air National... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, left, director, Air National Guard and Chief Master Sgt. Maurice Williams, right, command chief, ANG, pose with the ANG’s 2023 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Aug. 24, 2023. All four Outstanding Airmen of the Year participated in Focus on the Force Week.

Oklahoma Air Guard Airmen Train for Casualty Combat Care
August 25, 2023 — PERRY, Fla. - Loud booms sound all over the training field and smoke drifts in the air as Airmen from the 138th Fighter Wing rush to tend to simulated casualties.The scenario was the final test for... MORE

Airmen from the 138th Medical Group participate in a simulated combat environment as part of their final test in completing Tactical Combat Casualty Care Tier 2 in Perry, Fla., July 20, 2023. Smoke grenades and fake rounds were fired to simulate a deployed environment so Airmen could learn how to handle themselves and remain focused on the mission — caring for personnel and casualties.

Cyber Fortress 2.0 Tests Virginia’s Cyber Response Plan
August 25, 2023 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Virginia National Guard hosted Cyber Fortress 2.0, testing Virginia’s cyber response plan in an exercise with state and federal organizations that would respond in a... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade and the Richmond-based Joint Force Headquarters - Virginia Defense Cyber Operations Element take part in the Cyber Fortress 2.0 cyber defense exercise July 13, 2023, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

NH Guard Prevails at Regional Marksmanship Championships
August 25, 2023 — JERICHO, Vt. - New Hampshire National Guard shooting squads won gold and silver for a second straight year at a regional match at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site Aug. 18-20. The Marksmanship Advisory... MORE

New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Adam Crist, a human resources specialist with 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, engages a target during the Marksmanship Advisory Council (MAC) Regional Championship on Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Vermont, Aug. 20, 2023.

Connecticut Army Guard MPs Conduct Vehicle Gunnery Training
August 24, 2023 — HARTFORD, Conn. - “Target!” screams the crew of a Humvee as their gunner, Connecticut Army National Guard Pfc. Buckley Ryan, finds his mark with the M240L machine gun.Ryan is one of many Connecticut... MORE

U.S. Army Pfc. Buckley Ryan, military police assigned to the 143rd Military Police Company, 192nd Military Police Battalion, Connecticut Army National Guard, poses for a photo from the turret of his High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or humvee, before vehicle gunnery at Fort Drum, New York, Aug. 13, 2023. Despite this being his first annual training period, and first time manning the M240L machine gun as a vehicle gunner, Ryan successfully engaged all targets and became the fifth gunner in his unit to qualify.

Air Guard Leaders Emphasize Priorities at NGAUS Conference
August 24, 2023 — RENO, Nev. - More than 1,800 Air and Army National Guard members heard from senior leaders about Guard priorities and contributions to the National Defense Strategy during the National Guard... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, director, Air National Guard, briefs company-grade officers from throughout the Air National Guard during the National Guard Association of the United States’ 145th General Conference and Exhibition in Reno, Nevada, Aug. 19, 2023. CGOs were briefed on the ANG mission, force structure, and how the ANG contributes to the National Defense Strategy.

Maine, NH, Rhode Island Guardsmen Train on Domestic Response
August 24, 2023 — JOINT BASE CAPE COD, Massachusetts - Soldiers and Airmen from the Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island National Guard conducted a training and evaluation exercise of the New England CERFP Aug... MORE

A search and extraction team conducts a debriefing with an instructor following their casualty search. Approximately 180 Soldiers and Airmen from Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire came together at Joint Base Cap Cod, Massachusetts, Aug. 12-18, 2023, for an external evaluation of the New England CERFP, a regional National Guard response team that assists first responders during large-scale emergencies.

Missouri, New York Air Guard team up for Maintenance Training
August 23, 2023 — SCOTIA, N.Y. - Maintenance Airmen assigned to the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing trained in Gulfport, Mississippi, with the Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing the first... MORE

Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing and 139th Airlift Wing collaborated for a week in August at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center for Maintenance University, a week of intensive skills training designed for C-130H maintainers.

National Guard Chief Hokanson: ‘We Serve for the Future’
August 23, 2023 — RENO, Nev. – For years, the National Guard’s most senior general has urged Guardsmen to tell our story; last week, he also stressed explaining why we do what we do.“We serve for the future, for global... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses attendees at the 145th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference, Reno, Nevada, Aug. 19, 2021.

National Guard Leaders Empower Enlisted Personnel at Conference
August 23, 2023 — ROCHESTER, Minn. – National Guard Bureau leaders emphasized the importance of empowering enlisted personnel during the 52nd Annual Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, the National Guard's top enlisted leader, addresses the second business session of the 52nd Annual Conference of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minnesota, Aug 14, 2023.

New York Army Guard Cavalry Troopers Compete for Spurs
August 22, 2023 — YOUNGSTOWN, N.Y. - Twenty New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, earned silver spurs by completing a three-day “Spur Ride” at the Youngstown Lewiston... MORE

New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, headquartered at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station but with elements across western New York, compete in a "spur ride" to earn their silver spurs at the Youngstown Lewiston Training Area, Youngstown, New York, Aug. 17, 2023. The Soldiers had to complete a written exam on tactical knowledge, followed by route, area and zone recon training lanes and a 12 mile ruck march.

Alaska National Guard Firefighters Protect Nenana From Wildfires
August 22, 2023 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - In May 1920, the Alaska town of Nenana, nestled on the bank of the river of the same name in Alaska’s Interior, suffered great loss of life from the H1N1... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Samuel Neff, a 176th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, Alaska Air National Guard, deployed with four other 176th CES firefighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to Interior Alaska Aug. 6, 2023, to fight wildfires.

Georgia National Guard Maintainers Train in Iowa
August 21, 2023 — CAMP DODGE, Iowa - Members of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 277th Maintenance Company honed their skills at the Iowa Army National Guard’s Sustainment Training Center Aug. 6-19.The unit trained on... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. William Goldberger and Spc. Collin Wheat, allied trade specialists with the 277th Maintenance Company, 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, weld together pieces of metal during a training rotation at Camp Dodge, Iowa, Aug. 11, 2023.

Texas Guard Members Bolster Border Patrol Efforts along Rio Grande

Washington Army Guard Soldiers Participate in Norwegian Foot March

Florida National Guard Conducts Operation Mustang

In Maine, Raines Highlights National Guard Readiness, Family Support and Global Reach

Georgia's 165th Airlift Wing Hosts Response Exercise TOXIC PEACH 2025