Guard News - The National Guard

New York National Guard Helps Fight Long Island Blaze
March 11, 2025 — WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. – When a massive wildfire threatened Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base March 8, the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing went into action to defend its... MORE

Members of the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing Fire Department and other local fire departments respond to the Pine Barrens fire off Sunrise Highway on Long Island, N.Y., March 8, 2025.

109th Airlift Wing Lands LC-130 Hercules on Fresh Water Ice
March 10, 2025 — INUVIK, Canada - Airmen from the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing have landed an LC-130 Hercules on freshwater ice for the first time in the wing’s history during Operation... MORE

A LC-130 Hercules assigned to the 109th Airlift Wing flies over Parsons Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada, March 4, 2025. The LC-130 Hercules can land on snow and ice using skis.

South Carolina Army Guard Aviators Help Battle Wildfires
March 10, 2025 — CONWAY, S.C. - The South Carolina Army National Guard helped fight wildfires in Horry County for a week, dropping water from helicopters 975 times. U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1-111th General Support... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers with Company A, 111th General Support Aviation Battalion, 59 Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina National Guard, dropped water from helicopters March 2, 2025, to help the South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources contain wildfire in Horry County. Guard members assisted for a week, handing off to the Georgia Army National Guard.

Kentucky Army Guard Assists with Flood Response
March 7, 2025 — HYDEN, Ky.  –  The Kentucky Army National Guard’s 207th Engineer Construction Company helped respond to floods that damaged Eastern Kentucky, removing debris and clearing roads.Twenty-seven Soldiers,... MORE

Kentucky National Guard Soldiers from the 207th Engineer Construction Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, aided in flood relief efforts in Leslie County Feb. 22, 2025. They cleared and reconstructed roads.

Vermont Guard Strengthens Trilateral Airpower at Cope North
March 7, 2025 — ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing played a key role in the integration of F-35 aircraft during Exercise Cope North 2025, marking a milestone in multinational airpower... MORE

From left: Japan Air Self Defense Force Capt. Nakanishi, U.S. Air Force Lt. Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force FLTLT Ryan in front of an F-35A Lightning II on the flightline for exercise Cope North 2025 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2025. The multinational, U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored field training exercise focused on conducting Combat Air Force training to increase interoperability.

Tactical Casualty Care Simulators Boost Air Guard Readiness
March 6, 2025 — BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The constantly evolving battlefield requires service members to adapt through continual training. This is especially true for aerospace medical service technicians — Air Force field... MORE

Nurses and medical technicians from the 117th Medical Group, Alabama Air National Guard, listen for heart sounds and check the pulse on a high-fidelity simulator at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Birmingham, Ala., March 5, 2025. Air National Guard units across the nation received these training simulators to sharpen the skills they need as mission-ready Airmen.

Updates to National Guard Bureau Social Media Content
March 5, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. - In alignment with Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 and recent executive orders issued by the president, the National Guard Bureau has reviewed and adjusted its social media... MORE

In alignment with Department of Defense Instruction 5400.17 and recent executive orders issued by the president, the National Guard Bureau has reviewed and adjusted its social media content to ensure compliance with DOD policies and priorities.

Guard Enlisted Leaders Emphasize Warrior Ethos, Readiness
March 5, 2025 — WASHINGTON - The National Guard’s senior enlisted leaders, representing more than 430,000 Soldiers and Airmen, discussed their insights and priorities during a leadership panel Feb. 24.“Our priorities... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, the senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, speaks during an Enlisted Association of the National Guard event in Washington Feb. 24, 2025. Senior enlisted leaders representing more than 430,000 Soldiers and Airmen shared insights and discussed priorities during a leadership panel.

Hawaii Air National Guard Group Enhances Warfighting Skills
March 5, 2025 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Mission Support Group conducted a comprehensive training exercise to enhance warfighting skills and readiness.The Feb... MORE

An exercise cadre monitors Airmen protecting an injured member during a field training exercise at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Feb. 2, 2025. The exercise tested the Airmen's tactical abilities and emphasized the importance of mental resilience and decision-making under pressure.

Alaska Army Guard Black Hawk Crew Touches Down on Train
March 4, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion, landed an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Golf Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, lands on an Alaska Railroad train car while supporting Special Operations Forces Arctic Medic 2025 near Fairbanks, Alaska, Feb. 20, 2025. SOFAM 2025 is a Special Operations Command North training and validation event for unit medics that conduct exercises and operations in the North American Arctic.

Alaska Guard Doctor Creates Innovative Casualty Care System
February 28, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Historically, battles are won by the side that carries momentum throughout the fight. Taking casualties can stop that momentum in its tracks. In Alaska, those... MORE

Exercise Special Operations Forces Arctic Medic 2025 participants transport a simulated combat casualty using a CASEVAC Ecosystem sled prototype at Yukon Training Area, Alaska, Feb. 18, 2025. SOFAM 2025 prepares medics to operate in extreme cold.

Air Guard, Reserve Medics Help Clear Recruiting Bottleneck
February 26, 2025 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Thirty-five Air National Guard and 10 Reserve component Airmen executed a surge initiative to address severe backlogs at military entrance processing stations across the United... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin Maskell, a dentist assigned to the Arizona Air National Guard 162nd Wing, examines a patient during Kodiac Arctic Care 24 in Kodiak, Alaska, May 9, 2024. U.S. Uniformed Services personnel joined Kodiak Arctic Care under the Innovative Readiness Training program, which partnered with the Kodiak Area Native Association to deliver free medical, dental optometry, and veterinary services on Alaska's remote Kodiak Island.

Colombia, Germany Join South Carolina Best Warrior Events
February 26, 2025 — EASTOVER, S.C. – Twenty competitors from every corner of the Palmetto State, Colombia and Germany are participating in South Carolina’s Best Warrior Competition Feb. 24-28 to determine the next... MORE

A South Carolina National Guard Soldier participates in an Army Combat Fitness Test during the South Carolina Best Warrior Competition at the McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina, Feb. 24, 2025.

Kendrick is 14th Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major
February 25, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Surrounded by family, friends and National Guard leaders from the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia, Command Sgt. Maj. James Brian Kendrick officially assumed the... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. James Brian Kendrick officially assumed the role of 14th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard at a ceremony at the Herbert R. Temple Center Feb. 18, 2025. Kendrick, whose Army career spans over 35 years, succeeds Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, the seventh senior enlisted advisor to the National Guard Bureau chief.

COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal Reinstatement
February 24, 2025 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Former Army National Guard Soldiers: You can continue your service in the Army National Guard.If you are a Soldier who separated solely due to refusing the COVID-19 vaccine... MORE

2nd Lt. Kyle Funk, military police officer, 323rd Military Police Company, conducts fast rope insertion and extraction system training out of a CH-53K King Stallion helicopter during Exercise Northern Strike at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Mich., Aug. 5, 2024. Fast-roping is a technique for descending a thick rope, allowing troops to deploy from a helicopter in places where the aircraft cannot touch down.

172nd Airlift Wing Opens State-of-the-Art Small Arms Range
February 24, 2025 — JACKSON, Miss. - Members of the 172nd Airlift Wing celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art small arms range in Jackson Jan. 24.The fourteen-lane, fully enclosed facility is rated for munitions up... MORE

Staff Sgt. Marcus Johnson, combat arms lead instructor with the 172nd Security Forces Squadron, engages his target at the inaugural test fire at the new 172nd Airlift Wing small arms range in Jackson, Mississippi. The Mississippi National Guard and the 172nd Airlift Wing celebrated the opening of the state-of-the-art small arms range Jan. 24, 2025.

Guardsmen Display Hand-to-Hand Combat Skills
February 24, 2025 — CAMP SMITH, N.Y. - In a display of strength, agility and technical prowess, 21 New York and Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers and Airmen competed in the Minutemen Combative Competition Feb. 2-3... MORE

Massachusetts Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Gerald Meuse, assigned to 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, and New York National Guard Maj. Joshua Bennet, assigned to the 42nd Infantry Higher Headquarters Battalion, are awarded lightweight and heavyweight awards in the Minutemen competition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., Feb.2, 2025. The two-day event tested military members' combat training in martial arts disciplines.

140th Medical Group Trains on Combat Casualty Care
February 24, 2025 — BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. – Members of the 140th Medical Group, Colorado Air National Guard, participated in tactical combat casualty care training Jan. 28-31.TCCC replaced Self-Aid and Buddy... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Guthrie, right, instructs U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. William Shimel as he provides care to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Spencer Parmelee during total combat casualty care training at Buckley Space Force Base, Aurora, Colorado, Jan. 29, 2025. The Airmen are 140th Medical Group aerospace medical technicians.

Indiana National Guard Aids Kentucky Flood Response
February 21, 2025 — INDIANAPOLIS - Four Indiana National Guard Soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division’s combat aviation brigade helped their southern neighbors in Kentucky with flood relief efforts.With Indiana’s... MORE

An Indiana National Guard Soldier conducts a hoist operation while searching for flood victims in eastern Kentucky Feb. 17, 2025. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun activated four Hoosier Guard members to help with search and rescue efforts in Kentucky following record-breaking floods.

Air National Guard Medics Keep Airmen in the Fight
February 21, 2025 — CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - When 70 Airmen from 37 Air National Guard wings participated in a Cold Weather Operations Course, three aerospace medical technicians, or medics, and a physician assistant... MORE

Airmen conduct a long-distance ruck during the Air National Guard’s Cold Weather Operations Course at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn., followed by two aerospace medical specialists wearing red hats, assigned to the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, Feb. 6, 2025. Three aerospace medical specialists provided medical education and response to 70 students from 37 Air National Guard Wings attending the course designed to prepare service members for deployments to cold weather regions.

Puerto Rico Air Guard Conducts Deployment for Training at Aviano

Alaska Air Guard 168th Medical Group Trains for High-Stakes Missions

Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2

Washington Army Guard Trains in Water Bucket Operations

Alaska Army Guard Rescues Family Stranded on River During Storm