Guard News - The National Guard

Ohio Air Guard Member Wins Jiu-Jitsu World Championship
January 13, 2023 — COLUMBUS, Ohio – When Wendy Kuhn first walked into a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class seven years ago, she didn’t know what to expect. She had no idea she would become a world champion.Tech. Sgt. Kuhn, an... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Wendy Kuhn, an Ohio Air National Guard public affairs specialist at the 121st Air Refueling Wing, stands for a portrait Dec. 4, 2022, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio. Kuhn recently won her second gold medal in Las Vegas at the World Master International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Pennsylvania Airman Puts Military Medical Training to Work at Home
January 10, 2023 — MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Air National Guard Master Sgt. Kenneth Rivera-Ithier used his military medical training to help save a life over the holidays.While visiting his wife’s family in New... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master. Sgt. Kenneth Rivera-Ithier, left, a Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element member with the 193rd Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, teaches Airmen how to dress wounds during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course Jan. 8, 2023, in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Rivera-Ithier used his military training to help save the life of a family member over the holidays.

West Virginia Soldier Responds to 2 Emergencies in one Night
January 10, 2023 — LEWISBURG, W.Va. – West Virginia Army National Guard Sgt. Bradley Parker Walls responded to two emergencies Dec. 26, reporting a neighbor’s house fire and providing lifesaving aid at a two-vehicle... MORE

West Virginia Army National Guard Sgt. Bradley Parker Walls responded to two emergencies Dec. 26, 2022, while commuting to his State Active Duty position in Beaver, West Virginia. Walls called 911 after noticing a neighbor’s house fire, then provided life-saving assistance at a two-vehicle accident on his way to work.

New Hampshire Guardsmen Assists Injured Driver
January 3, 2023 — CONCORD, N.H. – Staff Sgt. Dante Davis was stuck in traffic when he spotted an overturned SUV against the Interstate 93 South guardrail in Manchester at night on Dec. 15.He immediately pulled over,... MORE

Staff Sgt. Dante Davis, an operations noncommissioned officer with 54th Troop Command, poses for a photo on Dec. 21, 2022, in the atrium of the Edward Cross Training Complex in Pembroke, New Hampshire.

Massachusetts Guardsman Wins CENTCOM Innovation Contest
December 28, 2022 — WASHINGTON - Before deploying this summer with his Massachusetts Army National Guard unit, Sgt. Mickey Reeve had little idea he’d be on a world tour just a few months later talking about innovation in... MORE

Massachusetts Army National Guard Sgt. Mickey Reeve speaks to service members from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain about the importance of innovation in the military Nov. 22, 2022. Reeve recently won the U.S. Central Command’s Innovation Oasis contest and went on a world tour with CENTCOM leadership to discuss his experience.

New York National Guard Airmen Ready to Track Santa Claus
December 20, 2022 — ROME, N.Y. - The North American Aerospace Defense Command defends the North American airspace 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.On Dec. 24, NORAD will add one element to its mission... MORE

Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Burgess, standing, and Maj. Bonnie Bosworth of the New York Air National Guard’s 224th Air Defense Squadron train for Santa tracking operations on Dec. 16, 2022, at Eastern Air Defense Sector headquarters in Rome, N.Y.

NC Soldier Recognized by Coast Guard for Lifesaving Actions
December 20, 2022 — FORT BRAGG, N.C. - U.S. Army Maj. Kenneth Leahy, a North Carolina National Guard dental officer, was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal Dec. 3.The Coast Guard recognized Leahy in a ceremony... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Matt Baer, right, sector commander of North Carolina, presents U.S. Army Maj. Kenneth Leahy, left, the North Carolina National Guard state dental officer, with the Coast Guard Commendation Medal at the NCNG Medical Readiness Detachment on Dec. 3, 2022. Leahy was recognized for his heroism in saving a distressed 10-year old child from drowning in the ocean over 200 yards from shore.

Illinois Guard Helps Make Sick Child’s Wish a Reality
December 19, 2022 — AUBURN, Ill. – The temperature was 23 degrees, but it was a warm June Day on Dec. 17 as the Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders, schools and community groups to give 3-year-old... MORE

Maj. Christopher Hanson, left, the operations officer of the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and Capt. Jacob Brue, the battalion's training officer, carry flowers for June Peden-Stade along her parade route in Auburn, Illinois, Dec. 17, 2022. The Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders and community groups from across the region to give 3-year-old June a parade.

Soldier Earns Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, Air Assault Badge
December 19, 2022 — BOISE, Idaho – Pfc. Cooper Hayes has only served in the Idaho Army National Guard for 14 months, but he has already compiled a career’s worth of accomplishments. Over the past 11 months, the... MORE

Pfc. Cooper Hayes poses for an undated photo. Hayes, a member of the Idaho Army National Guard, completed Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault schools in 2022.

Rainbow Division Vet Passes on War Stories to Today's Soldiers
December 8, 2022 — ALBANY, N.Y. – A World War II veteran of the 42nd Infantry Division shared his combat stories with 300 New York Army National Guard Soldiers serving in the division's headquarters for the unit's... MORE

Lockered "Bud" Gahs from Perry Hall, Maryland, who served as a private in the 42nd Infantry Division's 222nd Infantry Regiment, shared his memories of World War II with 300 New York Army National Guard Soldiers Dec. 2, 2022, in Albany, New York. Left to right, Maj. Gen. Thomas Spencer, commanding general, 42nd Infantry Division, and former CGs: Brig. Gen. Paul Genereux, Maj. Gen. Harry Miller, Maj. Thomas Kinley, Maj. Gen. Steve Wickstrom, and Maj. Gen. Steve Ferrari. Gahs is in the middle.

New York Air Guard Honors Former President Martin Van Buren
December 6, 2022 — KINDERHOOK, N.Y. - The New York Air National Guard marked the 240th birthday of President Martin Van Buren, the first president not born a British subject, in his rural hometown Dec. 5.Air Force Brig... MORE

Brig. General Denise Donnell, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Trottier salute after placing a wreath from President Joseph Biden at the grave of former President Martin Van Buren in Kinderhook, New York, on the 240th anniversary of his birth Dec. 5, 1782. Since 1967, military officers have presented a wreath from the current president at the gravesite of previous presidents on the anniversary of their birth.

Indiana Air Guardsmen Help Car Accident Victims
December 5, 2022 — TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Two Indiana National Guard Airmen from the 181st Intelligence Wing provided critical care following a rollover vehicle incident that resulted in two people being trapped... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Marlena Hargraves and Senior Airman Janelle Bonitati, both members of the 181st Intelligence Wing, were coined by the 181st Intelligence Wing commander for their heroic acts during an incident on Interstate 70 while on their way home from training at Hulman Field Air National Guard Base, Ind., Dec. 3, 2022. The Airmen came to the aid of two people trapped when their vehicle rolled over.

New York Guardsman Responds to In-flight Medical Emergency
December 2, 2022 — ALBANY, N.Y. – An ordinary Thanksgiving Day flight turned into an effort to save a life for New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Daniel Conley, a medical technician assigned to the 105th Airlift... MORE

On Thanksgiving Day, there was an in-flight medical emergency on Delta flight 1253 from Albany, N.Y., to Atlanta. Master Sgt. Daniel Conley, a senior aerospace medical technician of the 105th Medical Group, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, New York, helped assess and care for the passenger.

New York National Guard Soldiers Share Holiday Spirit
December 2, 2022 — BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. – Two dozen New York National Guard Soldiers helped spread the holiday spirit by volunteering to load donated Christmas trees bound for service members and their families across the... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Moseman, a New York Army National Guard recruiter, loads a Christmas tree into a FedEx truck at the Ellms Family Farm in Ballston Spa, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2022. Moseman and other recruiters were participating in Trees for Troops, helping local tree farms donate Christmas trees to families of service members.

NY Air Guard Leaders Salute World War II Vet on his 100th
November 29, 2022 — LATHAM, N.Y. – New York Air National Guard leaders gathered at the Shaker Place Nursing Home to honor a World War II veteran on his 100th birthday Nov. 28.William H. Meyer served in the Army Air... MORE

New York Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson presents a challenge coin to World War II veteran William H. Meyer during his 100th birthday celebration at Shaker Place Nursing Home in Latham, New York, Nov. 28, 2022.

Iowa National Guard Soldier Gives Back to Homeless
November 29, 2022 — JOHNSTON, Iowa – Shortly after the first snow of the season, Iowa National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Michael Sullivan pulled out his “Lil Red Wagon” for the third year in a row to collect donations for the... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Sullivan, assistant operations noncommissioned officer with the 734th Regional Support Group, Iowa Army National Guard, kneels next to “Sully’s Lil Red Wagon” at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 17, 2022. He uses the wagon to collect donations for the homeless in the Des Moines area.

Alaska Guardsmen Bring Holiday Cheer to Scammon Bay
November 29, 2022 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter filled with volunteers and holiday gifts for children in the northwest community of Scammon Bay touched down on the south bank... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Ryan Montgomery, a pilot with 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), visits with children during Operation Santa Claus in Scammon Bay Nov. 16, 2022.

MTC Range Ops Staff Keeps Fort Pickett Humming
November 16, 2022 — FORT PICKETT, Va. – If you were to ask any of the more than 60 personnel assigned to Range Operations at Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, Virginia, what their No. 1 priority is, you would... MORE

Maj. Sean Hoefke, range officer assigned to Range Operations, Maneuver Training Center Fort Pickett, conducts a range safety inspection on a live-fire range at MTC Nov. 5, 2022, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. These inspections are one of the ways Range Operations personnel ensure a safe training environment at MTC.

Vietnam Veterans Receive Overdue Welcome Home
November 10, 2022 — SAN DIEGO – The first weekend of any given month for a National Guard Soldier usually means reporting to your armory and spending the next 48 hours on duty. For U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Arroyo, with the... MORE

Arroyo and Martinez create a rubbing of a service member's name while visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Nov. 5, in Washington.

NH Airman Honored for Deployment Duties, Aiding Crash Victim
November 9, 2022 — PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. – Just days before deploying, an Airman flew into action after witnessing a three-car collision on his way home from work.Staff Sgt. Reese Bassett, an air... MORE

Staff Sgt. Reese Bassett, an air transportation member with the 157th Logistics Readiness Squadron, earned the 2021 Chief Master Sgt. Tommy Downs Award for his mentorship efforts and commitment to the 2T2 career field. Bassett broke the 2T2 movement record while deployed to Afghanistan and responded to a three-car vehicle crash while driving home from work in New Hampshire.

Maine Army Guard Engineers Build Communities, Readiness

Iowa Army Guard Soldiers Train at Tigerland

Idaho Guard Engineers Aid Redwood Park Restoration

Oregon Army Guard Helps Design Future Medevac Technology

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Five Distressed Boaters