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VNG aviators practice firefighting skills before deployment
October 22, 2021 — SANDSTON, Va. – With an upcoming deployment to Kosovo, Virginia Army National Guard flight crews took to the skies of Chesterfield to certify their ability to fight fires with massive water buckets... MORE

Virginia Army National Guard flight crews conduct water bucket training with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters Oct. 12, 2021, at a training area in Chesterfield, Virginia. These Soldiers are scheduled to deploy to Kosovo with the 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division in early 2022, where firefighting capabilities may be needed.

Wisconsin Guard rehearses combat management in exercise
October 22, 2021 — MADISON, Wis. – Two Wisconsin Army National Guard brigade headquarters units recently participated in Warfighter Exercise 22-1, a multicomponent exercise involving active-duty and reserve units in the... MORE

A whiteboard shows the battle plan to advance troops during Warfighter Exercise 22-1. Headquarters staff from the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade participated in this exercise Sept. 27 to Oct. 6 at Fort Riley, Kansas.

105th Airlift Wing hosts Wing Readiness Course
October 22, 2021 — NEWBURGH, N.Y. – Training isn't always easy, especially when that training simulates the high adrenaline environment of a combat situation. Members of the 105th Airlift Wing were able to experience... MORE

Members of the 105th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, participate in a Wing Readiness Course at Stewart Air National Guard Base, N.Y., Sept. 11, 2021.

Kentucky Guard ramps up COVID vaccinations for troops
October 21, 2021 — LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Kentucky National Guard commenced Operation Fortified Guardian this month, vaccinating hundreds of Army and Air National Guard members with the COVID-19 vaccine.More than 600... MORE

A Kentucky Army National Guard Soldier receives a COVID-19 vaccination at the Bluegrass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky Oct. 16, 2021. Soldiers and Airmen received the vaccine as part of Operation Fortified Guardian for the Kentucky National Guard.

111th Med Group hosts Advanced Trauma Life Support course
October 21, 2021 — HORSHAM, Pa. – More than a dozen Air National Guard members from six states learned the ABCs during a medical course hosted by the 111th Medical Group.Not the song to teach preschoolers the alphabet,... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Maj. Sammar Atassi, an internal medicine physician assigned to the 130th Medical Group headquartered at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston, West Virginia, intubates an infant training mannequin during the Advanced Trauma Life Support course at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham, Pennsylvania, Sept. 28, 2021. Sixteen service members from nine ANG units in six states participated in the class, which was hosted by the 111th Medical Group.

1022nd Engineer Co. completes construction projects in Iraq
October 20, 2021 — ERBIL AIR BASE, Iraq – Soldiers of the 1022nd Engineer Company, a unit of the 111th Theater Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard, are deployed in multiple countries across the CENTCOM... MORE

A team of 1022nd Engineer Company Soldiers in Iraq, led by Staff Sgt. Bryon Granderson, has been working on multiple vertical construction projects at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, including sun shades, chairs and benches, platforms, and most recently, over a dozen sets of staircases. The staircases will be used by U.S. troops, coalition forces and partner nations.

Army National Guard tackles modernization challenges
October 19, 2021 — WASHINGTON – The Army National Guard must continue to focus on modernization to remain competitive with adversaries and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves, senior Army Guard leaders... MORE

Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, the director of the Army National Guard, leads other Army Guard senior leaders in a discussion on future operational challenges during a panel forum at the annual Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Panel members focused on the Army’s Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, digital culture, future workforce and balancing state and federal missions, as key points in ensuring Army Guard readiness to meet those mission requirements.

WWII Soldier identified and buried 77 years after his death
October 19, 2021 — RALEIGH, N.C. - On the morning of Sept. 8, 1944, Soldiers with the 5th Infantry Division were ordered to cross the Moselle River and take up a position in the woods.After heavy losses, the men... MORE

Col. Wes Morrison, commander of the North Carolina National Guard’s 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, presents folded flags to the family of 1st Lt. James E. Wright during a graveside service in his honor at the Oakdale Cemetery in Lumber Bridge, North Carolina, Oct. 12, 2021. Wright, who served with the NCNG’s 120th Infantry Regiment, was killed in action near Dornot, France Sept. 10, 1944, and missing until his remains were recently identified.

Alaska Air National Guard rescues resident near Friday Creek
October 18, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing rescued an Alaska resident experiencing medical distress Oct. 16 at his cabin near Friday Creek.The Alaska... MORE

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 23, 2015. The 210th Rescue Squadron provides emergency rescue services for the citizens of Alaska in addition to training for wartime combat search and rescue missions.

104th Medical Group trains on medical care, combat tactics
October 18, 2021 — HARTFORD, Conn. - Members of the 104th Medical Group, Massachusetts Air National Guard, attended a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course through the Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation with... MORE

Medics and nurses from the 104th Medical Group trained to receive their Tactical Combat Casualty Care certificates Sept. 18-19, 2021, at the Hartford Hospital Center for Education, Simulation and Innovation in Hartford, Conn. The training focused on providing the best trauma care on the battlefield.

Nevada Guard MAFFS crews wrap up firefighting mission
October 15, 2021 — RENO, Nev. – Nevada Air National Guard Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System crews flew 330 sorties and dropped more than 8 million pounds of retardant during their 89-day activation completed Sept... MORE

Air National Guard C-130 MAFFS 8 out of Reno, Nev., launches July 14, 2021, from CAL FIRE Air Tanker Base, McClellan Park, Calif. The Defense Department, through the commander, U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), supports the National Interagency Fire Center in fighting wildfires.

NYNG's 106th Rescue Wing trains on beach for winter driving
October 14, 2021 — MASTIC BEACH, N.Y. - Over 100 New York Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing prepared for winter weather emergencies by conducting driver training on the beach.Driving military... MORE

Humvees negotiate the driving course at Smith Point County Park near Mastic Beach, New York, on July 9, 2021, during driver training conducted by the 106th Rescue Wing of the New York Air National Guard. The 106th Rescue Wing fields an immediate response force of five high-axle military vehicles and 20 personnel when natural disasters and emergencies hit Long Island.

Four Soldiers are 1st in NYNG to earn Expert Soldier Badge
October 14, 2021 — FORT DRUM, New York - Four Soldiers became the first in the New York Army National Guard to earn the new Expert Soldier Badge Oct. 1, following two weeks of training and testing at Fort Drum. The four... MORE

From left, New York Army National Guard Spcs. William Neumeister and Nicholas Weber, Sgt. Alexander Sonneville and Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Blount at Fort Drum, New York, Oct. 1, 2021, after earning the Expert Soldier Badge. The four are the first New York Army National Guard Soldiers to earn the new skills badge.

173rd FW uses off-the-shelf technology to aid student pilots
October 14, 2021 — KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Aspiring F-15 Eagle drivers arrive at the 173rd Fighter Wing to work through what many call the most challenging course in the Air Force — the B course.The sole F-15C schoolhouse... MORE

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Martin Sipe, an F-15C student pilot, flies the F-15 Eagle in virtual reality alongside 173rd Fighter Wing F-15 instructor pilot Lt. Col. Julius Romasanta at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, Oct. 12, 2021. The program uses off-the-shelf technology to enhance “chair flying,” enabling students to visualize their missions.

Georgia National Guard continues to serve state and nation
October 13, 2021 — MARIETTA, Ga. – Approximately 460 Soldiers and Airmen from the Georgia National Guard are working at almost 40 hospitals across the state to ease the burden on medical staff due to COVID cases.The... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Rashad Kelley, a unit supply specialist with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, receives a visitor April 13, 2021, at a mass vaccination site in Savannah, Georgia. The Georgia National Guard provided on-site logistics and operation support to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency as they administered COVID-19 vaccinations at mass vaccination locations across Georgia.

Alaska Air National Guard Airmen help rescue 2 boaters
October 12, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen of the 176th Wing partnered with good Samaritans to rescue two distressed boaters early Oct. 10 at the mouth of the Kuskokwim... MORE

An Alaska Air National Guard HC-130J Combat King II operated by aircrew from the 211th Rescue Squadron, 176th Wing, over Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2021. The HC-130J Combat King II can perform personnel recovery operations, search-and-rescue and aerial helicopter refueling and forward area ground refueling missions.

National Guard aids Afghan evacuees in Operation Allies Welcome
October 8, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. - National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from throughout the nation continue to support Operation Allies Welcome, assisting Afghans as they safely resettle in the United States.Operation... MORE

U.S. Army Cpl. Sean Jackett, left, and Spc. Zackary Jensen, Wisconsin Army National Guard linguists, create signs in Dari and Pashto, Aug. 25, 2021, to place in a welcome area for Afghan people arriving at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.

Alaska Army National Guard rescues 3 hunters from avalanche
October 8, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter crew evacuated three hunters endangered by an early-season avalanche near a glacier above Hunter... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter crew with the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment, rescued three hunters after an avalanche injured two of them at a glacier near Hunter Creek Airstrip Oct. 6, 2021.

Guam National Guard, Navy conduct joint training at sea
October 8, 2021 — BARRIGADA, Guam - An unusual meeting took place a few miles off the coast of Guam Sept. 28, as a U.S. Army UH-72 Lakota Helicopter approached a U.S. Navy Mark VI Patrol Boat. It was the first such... MORE

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Paul Shaffer of the Navy's Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 4 trains with Sgt. Keoni Wong, flight medic with the Guam Army National Guard, aboard a Mark VI Patrol Boat during a joint exercise in Guam, Sept. 28, 2021.

Warfighter exercise preps 34th Red Bull Infantry Division
October 7, 2021 — FORT RILEY, Kansas – “How can I get any experience until I get a job that gives me experience?” This is the question written by Joseph Heller that exemplifies a catch-22, a concept derived from the... MORE

Battle desk noncommissioned officers from the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division continue their work in spite of a simulated chemical threat during a Warfighter Exercise at Fort Riley, Kansas, Sept. 30, 2021. The 34th ID participated in the three-week exercise with units from across Active, Reserve, and National Guard components stationed around the United States and Germany.

Oregon Guard Innovation Becomes Army-Wide Standard for Medevac Operations

Alaska Guard Conducts a Nighttime Medical Evacuation

Missouri Guard’s 139th Airlift Wing Demonstrates Readiness During Inspection

Washington Guard Shortens Officer Candidate School by Four Months

Georgia Guard Launches Drone Dominance Program