Guard News - The National Guard

144th Fighter Wing Airmen return from OAW deployment
December 17, 2021 — FRESNO, Calif. – Four Airmen from the California Air National Guard's 144th Fighter Wing recently returned from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, where they assisted evacuated Afghan... MORE

From left, California Air National Guard Senior Airman Valerie Malcom and Airmen 1st Class Cody Schlenzig and Joshua Lloyd, 144th Fighter Wing, at the Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., Dec. 4, 2021. The Airmen volunteered to participate in Operation Allies Welcome, assisting evacuated Afghan refugees at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

New York National Guard officer honored for COVID response
December 16, 2021 — NEW YORK – The New York Army Guard colonel who administered a COVID-19 field hospital at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City in 2020 and returned in 2021 to oversee its use as a mass... MORE

New York Army National Guard Col. Michael Bice speaks to Cassie Huang, 28, of New York after she received the 500,000th COVID-19 vaccination administered at the New York state vaccination site at the Jacob Javits Convention Center April 26, 2021. Bice, who directed the 620 National Guard troops and 400 civilians who worked at the site, has been recognized for his efforts by Crain’s New York Business and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Cal Guard CSTs boost teamwork in multi-agency exercise
December 16, 2021 — ATWATER, Calif. – A Merced County Police explosive ordnance disposal specialist walks toward a dilapidated building in his green, heavily armored blast suit. His face is hidden by an oxygen mask. An... MORE

A Merced County police explosive ordnance disposal specialist in his green, heavily armored blast suit reports his findings to local law enforcement and the CAL FIRE hazmat specialist during a joint exercise with California National Guard’s 9th and 95th Civil Support Team at Castle Air Force Base in Atwater, California, Dec. 1, 2021. The event promotes interoperability and communication between local, state and federal agencies.

Tennessee Guard, firefighters practice water hoist rescue
December 15, 2021 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rescue personnel from the Tennessee National Guard’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion and the Nashville Fire Department held a joint exercise Dec. 14 to practice hoist... MORE

The Tennessee National Guard’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion and the Nashville Fire Department held a joint exercise to practice hoist operations between Goodlettsville and Hendersonville Dec. 14, 2021.

Oregon Air Guard firefighters, partners ‘Burn-to-Learn’
December 15, 2021 — KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Kingsley Field firefighters in the Oregon Air National Guard partnered with local community organizations Dec. 8 to hone their response to structure fires.Klamath Falls Fire... MORE

Kingsley Field Firefighters load fuel into a burning structure during a “Burn-to-Learn” event in partnership with Klamath Falls, Ore., Fire District One Dec. 8, 2021. The firefighters used a condemned house to study fire behavior, practice coordination with local partners and meet the Air Force requirement for live-fire training.

Kentucky Guardsman jumps into action to help neighbors
December 15, 2021 — DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. – One of the more than approximately 600 Kentucky National Guardsmen activated to help respond to devastating tornadoes lives just 8 miles from where the twisters touched down over... MORE

Spc. Zach Neisz, with the 130th Engineer Support Battalion, Kentucky National Guard, works traffic control to contain the flow in and out of Dawson Springs, Ky., one of the areas hit hardest by tornadoes Dec.10, 2021. Neisz lives in Dawson Springs and spent the first 27 hours after the storm aiding local law enforcement, helping extract people from their homes.

National Guard contributes to future Army design
December 14, 2021 — AUSTIN, Texas – The Army National Guard, which celebrated its 385th birthday Dec. 13, plays an integral role in furthering Army Futures Command-led initiatives to modernize how Soldiers fight.“The... MORE

National Guard Soldiers participate in Futures Command activities at all levels of the command, from headquarters to the organization’s eight cross-functional teams, which coordinate and accelerate priority modernization programs.

West Virginia’s 111th Engineer Brigade ends Mideast mission
December 13, 2021 — CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia National Guard welcomed home 120 Soldiers from the 111th Engineer Brigade deployed to the Middle East since late February.“We are so happy to have our Soldiers... MORE

The West Virginia National Guard welcomed home 120 Soldiers from the 111th Engineer Brigade deployed since late February 2021 to the Middle East in a homecoming ceremony at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, West Virginia, Dec. 11, 2021. During the deployment, the unit was headquartered at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Kentucky National Guard assisting with tornado response
December 13, 2021 — MAYFIELD, Ky. – More than 300 members of the Kentucky National Guard are helping respond in the aftermath of devastating tornadoes that swept through the commonwealth over the weekend, killing dozens... MORE

Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky., Dec. 12, 2021. Tornadoes killed dozens of people and caused extensive damage in the area.

National Guard Marksmanship Training Center increases lethality, a round at a time
December 10, 2021 — FORT CHAFFEE, Ark. – A rifle is fired, sending a round downrange at more than twice the speed of sound. Smoke from the muzzle hangs in the air for a moment, long after the round has reached its target... MORE

Thirty-three teams gathered at the 51st Winston P. Wilson and 31st Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Rifle Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Barling, Arkansas, Dec. 4-9, 2021.

176th Cyber Protection Team completes mobilization
December 10, 2021 — FORT MEADE, Md. – Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers from Detachment 1, 176th Cyber Protection Team, have ended a yearlong mobilization to Fort Meade for cyberspace operations.The mobilization was... MORE

Soldiers from the 176th Cyber Protection team pose with Wisconsin Army National Guard senior leaders following a Nov. 22, 2021, ceremony that marked the end of their mobilization at Fort Meade, Maryland. The 20-person unit mobilized to federal service in October 2020 and supported U.S. Cyber Command and Cyber National Mission Force requirements.

137th SOW hosts Canadian aircrew for MC-12W training
December 9, 2021 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command participated in the first Manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MISR) Fundamentals Course held by the 137th Special... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Joseph Phillips, a pilot from the 185th Special Operations Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, proctors a Canadian Special Operations Forces Command pilot participating in the first MC-12W Manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Fundamentals Course conducted by the 137th Special Operations Group, Oklahoma Air National Guard, at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oct. 19, 2021. The joint aircrews completed a comprehensive and complex training scenario during the mission.

Oklahoma Air Guard pilot receives Distinguished Flying Cross
December 9, 2021 — TULSA, Okla. - The Oklahoma Air National Guard held a ceremony Dec. 5 to celebrate the heroic airborne acts of Lt. Col. Michael Coloney during a Taliban attack on U.S. and Afghan special forces in... MORE

Retired Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt III, former director of the Air National Guard, presents Lt. Col. Mike Coloney, 125th Fighter Squadron director of operations, the Distinguished Flying Cross Dec. 5, 2021, for his actions in Afghanistan on April 30, 2018.

NY National Guard sends 120 troops to bolster long-term care
December 8, 2021 — ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The New York National Guard has deployed 120 Army medics and Air Force medical technicians to 12 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state to ease staffing... MORE

New York Army National Guard Sgt. William Liu, a member of the 24th Civil Support Team, works at the New York State COVID-19 Vaccination Site at the Aqueduct Race Track in Queens Aug. 24, 2021. The New York National Guard has conducted a number of missions during New York's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now sending medical personnel into nursing homes to help alleviate staffing shortages.

Shooters take aim at annual sniper championships in Arkansas
December 8, 2021 — BARLING, Ark. – Top snipers from the National Guard and international community are competing in the National Guard’s 51st Winston P. Wilson Championship and 31st Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting... MORE

Shooters take the line to zero their rifles at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Barling, Arkansas, Dec. 4, 2021. These shooters are part of the 33 sniper teams gathered at the 51st Winston P. Wilson and 31st Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Rifle Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at Fort Chaffee Dec. 4-9.

Louisiana National Guard honors COVID response team
December 7, 2021 — NEW ORLEANS – Almost two years into the mission, the Louisiana National Guard held ceremonies across the state to honor more than 800 of its service members for continuing assistance to Louisiana... MORE

Awards waiting to be handed out to Louisiana National Guard Task Force COVID members during a ceremony at the State Aviation Command in Hammond, Louisiana, Dec. 2, 2021. The ceremony was one of a series across the state to honor more than 850 LANG members who have helped Louisianans during COVID-19 recovery operations.

Kentucky Soldiers awarded for their work during pandemic
December 7, 2021 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – Representatives of Sayre Christian Village senior living community presented six service members from the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade the Leading Age Kentucky Distinguished Service... MORE

Sayre Christian Village resident Paul Frederick and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Rezac, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, smile as Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, Kentucky National Guard adjutant general, presents Frederick and Soldiers with a military coin following a ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility hangar at Boone National Guard Center Dec. 2.

Oregon Wing's structural innovation helps keep aircraft aloft
December 6, 2021 — KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. – For years, structural maintainers have emerged as artisans of sorts, creating parts by hand, meticulously shaping them from custom wood forms and delicate hand-tool work.Gently... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Paul Allen, a structural maintainer with the 173rd Fighter Wing, places a part in the "smash-box," a reinforced steel container lined with thick, durable rubber that shapes the flat aluminum part when put under extreme pressure on Nov.5, 2021.

NY National Guard general honors former president Van Buren
December 6, 2021 — KINDERHOOK, N.Y. – The New York Army National Guard paid tribute to former President Martin Van Buren in Kinderhook, where he was born in 1782 and lived the latter part of his life before dying in... MORE

New York Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Isabel Rivera Smith, left, and Sgt. Major Jeff Colling, salute after presenting a wreath from President Joseph Biden at the gravesite of the nation’s eighth president, Martin Van Buren, in Kinderhook, New York, on his 239th birthday, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.

105th Airlift Wing recognized with Meritorious Unit Award
December 3, 2021 — STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Over 1,300 men and women of the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing were awarded the Air Force’s Meritorious Unit Award for their... MORE

U.S. Airmen with the 105th Airlift Wing, New York National Guard, load an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, belonging to the 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, into a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, in St. Joseph, Missouri, June 4, 2021.

Guard Soldiers Train with Civilian Experts in Cyber Discovery Exercise

Alaska Guard Works to Contain Fires

Air Guard Engineers Build Roads, Skills in Assateague Island Project

Maine Army Guard Engineers Build Communities, Readiness

Iowa Army Guard Soldiers Train at Tigerland