Guard News - The National Guard

After 100 years, Harlem Hellfighters nickname is official
February 1, 2021 — NEW YORK — The Harlem Hellfighters are now officially the Harlem Hellfighters.One-hundred years after the New York National Guard's 369th Infantry Regiment earned the nickname in World War I, the Army... MORE

In this National Guard historic painting by H. Charles McBarron, Soldiers of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Harlem Hellfighters, go into action near Sechault, France, on Sept. 29, 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Originally the 15th New York from Harlem, the center of African American culture in the early 20th century, the unit earned the nickname Hellfighters from its German enemies. While the nickname has been used for more than 100 years – currently by the 369th Sustainment Brigade – it was only officially recognized by the Army in September 2020.

NYAG member seeks innovation to support today's warfighter
January 25, 2021 — NIAGARA FALLS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. – "Going through this experience recommitted me to the Air Force's mission." That's how 1st Lt. Ryan Scadlock describes his recent... MORE

New York Air National Guard 1st Lt. Ryan Scadlock, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance officer assigned to the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, 107th Attack Wing, works remotely during an AF Ventures fellowship due to COVID-19 safety precautions. The program is designed to increase the quality of technology-proficient Airmen while maintaining long-lasting relationships between the Air Force and the private sector.

New Mexico woman joins husband, son in National Guard
January 22, 2021 — ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Tanya Saavedra thought her days in the military had ended.During 14 years in the Navy, Tanya pushed her body to its limits as a combat diver and underwater technician, going on... MORE

The Saavedra family: Pvt. Jeremiah Shaw, Staff Sgt. Tanya Saavedra and 1st Sgt. Jason Saavedra. Tanya Saavedra enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard after 14 years in the Navy. Jason Saavedra is a 21-year veteran of the National Guard. Shaw, a 17-year-old high school senior, enlisted in the Guard at the end of his junior year.

Brothers in arms serving at US Capitol
January 21, 2021 — WASHINGTON – Two Oklahoma Army National Guard Citizen-Soldiers served together in the nation's capital this week as figurative and literal "brothers in arms." Sgts. Kade and Corbin Silvers, both from... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Sgts. Kade, right, and Korbin Silvers of Enid, Oklahoma, in Washington before beginning their shift monitoring the inner ring of security around the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 19, 2021. The D.C. mission was the first time the brothers were deployed together.

NYNG Soldier aids stranded family during holiday travels
January 13, 2021 — BUFFALO, N.Y. – A New York Army National Guard Soldier on duty at Buffalo International Airport the day after Christmas went above and beyond the call of duty to help a stranded passenger and her... MORE

New York Amy National Guard Pfc. Gabriel Martorella, center, assigned to the 719th Transportation Company, is coined by New York National Guard leadership Dec. 31, 2020, after helping a stranded traveler at Buffalo International Airport. Martorella is part of the COVID-19 task force collecting health questionnaires from out-of-state travelers.

107th Attack Wing honors President Fillmore on birthday
January 12, 2021 — BUFFALO, N.Y. – The commander of the 107th Mission Support Group of the New York National Guard’s 107th Attack Wing honored the nation’s 13th president, Millard Fillmore, on his 221st birthday with a... MORE

Col. Steven Hefferon, commander of the 107th Mission Support Group, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York Air National Guard, presents a wreath at the grave of Millard Fillmore, the 13th president, in Buffalo, N.Y., Jan. 7, 2021. The 107th Attack Wing has been honoring the former president with a wreath-laying each year on his birthday for more than 30 years.

Aussie native is Washington National Guard flight paramedic
January 8, 2021 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – The sound of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter rotors thrummed overhead as strong winds rocked the aircraft. On the ground, Sgt. Abraham Boxx, a critical care flight paramedic with... MORE

Sgt. Abraham Boxx, a critical care flight paramedic with the 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Battalion, Washington Army National Guard, rides in a UH-60 Black Hawk during a medical evacuation drill at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, on Jan. 2, 2021. Boxx moved to the U.S. from Australia to become certified as a flight paramedic in 2016 and later joined the Washington Army National Guard.

Ohio National Guard forward observer is ARCENT NCO of Year
January 4, 2021 — COLUMBUS, Ohio – Readiness is a forward observer.Readiness is reading a curriculum map, studying the landscape, visualizing the terrain features and directing attention toward specific targets – as in... MORE

Ohio Army National Guard Sgt. Aaron Amsden, a forward observer for the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment, was crowned the winner of the U.S. Army Central Command’s Best Warrior Competition, noncommissioned officer category, and also competed in the Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) competition in 2020. The BWC recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army values, embody the warrior ethos and represent the force of the future.

Airmen honor Vermont’s oldest living veteran
December 31, 2020 — SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – Honor is a word ingrained into the ethos of men and women who have ever served in the U.S. military. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that when Airmen of the 158th Fighter... MORE

Col. Adam Rice, vice wing commander of the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, presents a flag flown in the F-35A Lightning II to WWII veteran Lenny Roberge, Vermont’s oldest living veteran, outside his nursing home in South Burlington, Vt., Dec. 22, 2020. To honor Roberge, Airmen from the 158th Fighter Wing had a flag flown in an F-35 during a combat training sortie over the mountains of Vermont and New York.

Maryland Airman finds family in 175th Wing
December 29, 2020 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – A little past 6 a.m, just before the start of the duty day, Senior Airman Jayme Bradley arrives at the 175th Maintenance Squadron phase hanger. Typically among the first to arrive... MORE

Senior Airman Jayme Bradley, an electrical and environmental specialist for the 175th Maintenance Squadron, Maryland National Guard, poses in front of an A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft Dec. 18, 2020, at the Warfield Air National Guard Base at Martin State Airport, Middle River, Md. Bradley is the only full-time female Airman in her shop in the male-dominated career field of aircraft maintenance.

Oklahoma National Guard supports homeless
December 28, 2020 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahomans helping Oklahomans. For the Oklahoma National Guard, it’s more than just a saying – it’s a way of life. That mantra is what leads Guard members to serve our state and... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard members and their families, led by the Guard's Family Program Office, collected more than 1,200 packages of new socks and underwear for homeless shelters across the state in November and December 2020.

168th Wing keeps the holiday spirit alive in 2020
December 22, 2020 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – The 168th Wing's holiday celebration was a little different this year, with masks and social distancing due to COVID-19, but it still brought joy to families... MORE

The Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing didn't let the COVID-19 pandemic interrupt the annual holiday celebration at Eielson Air Force Base on Dec. 12, 2020.Volunteers from different squadrons built holiday scenes families could viewed in a drive-thru viewing.

New York National Guard supports NORAD Santa tracking
December 22, 2020 — ROME, N.Y. – Members of the New York Air National Guard and the Royal Canadian Air Force at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome, New York, will be hard at work Christmas Eve as the North American... MORE

New York Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Megan Mills, left, and Tech. Sgt. Kriston Brown participate in a Santa tracking exercise at the Eastern Air Defense Sector on Dec. 16, 2020. Mills and Brown were prepping for Christmas Eve, when EADS will support the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) Santa tracking operation. Tracking operations start at 4 a.m. EST on Dec. 24 on the www.noradsanta.org website. At 6 a.m. EST, children and parents can call toll-free to inquire about Santa at 1-877-Hi-NORAD (1-877-446-6723).

DCNG plays historical role in presidential inaugurations
December 21, 2020 — WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia National Guard is preparing to provide logistical and ceremonial support to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. The National Guard has a proud history of... MORE

Members of the Police Task Force escort members in the inauguration rehearsal parade on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., Jan. 15, 2017. More than 5,000 military members from across all branches of the armed forces of the United States, including Reserve and National Guard components, provided ceremonial support and defense support of civil authorities during the inaugural period.

NY National Guard's oldest, youngest mark Guard's birthday
December 14, 2020 — LATHAM, New York – A 60-year old retired Army sergeant major who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and served in Afghanistan, a 22-year old Airman who graduated from Brazil's tough jungle... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, the adjutant general of New York; retired Army Sgt. Maj. Christian Glorius; Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel and Army Pvt. Malachy McGarry cut the National Guard birthday cake during a ceremony celebrating the 384th birthday of the National Guard at New York National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, Latham, N.Y., Dec. 14, 2020.

Guardsmen honor World War II veteran on his 99th birthday
December 9, 2020 — HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Wearing a Dodgers baseball cap and a pin that read, “It’s my birthday,” World War II veteran and Purple Heart recipient Joseph Casaburi was greeted by four New York Army... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan Pietrantoni, assigned to the 53rd Troop Command, New York Army National Guard, salutes World War II veteran Pfc. Joseph Casaburi on his 99th birthday after he survived a three-month long battle with COVID-19 at the nursing home Angus on Hudson, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y., on Dec. 8, 2020.

South Carolina Air National Guard turns 74
December 9, 2020 — EASTOVER, S.C. – Happy birthday Swamp Fox! Seventy-four years ago, Harry S. Truman was president and Strom Thurmond had just been elected governor of South Carolina when the South Carolina Air... MORE

The first roll call of the South Carolina Air National Guard on Dec. 9, 1946.

Behavioral health pros help NH Guardsmen through pandemic
December 7, 2020 — CONCORD, N.H. – Since March, more than 700 members of the New Hampshire National Guard have been activated for pandemic relief efforts across the state. From food pantries and PPE warehouses to test... MORE

Maj. Troy Townsend, director of behavioral health, office of the state surgeon, New Hampshire Army National Guard, poses with therapy dog Cache Aug. 13, 2019. Cache, a 9-year-old retired sled dog, travels with Townsend across New Hampshire to meet Guard members.

Wisconsin Guard makes a wish come true for a boy to be a Soldier
December 4, 2020 — FORT MCCOY, Wis. — On Nov. 7, Fort McCoy hosted a Make-A-Wish Foundation event for 8-year-old Chicago resident Miguel Garcia, whose wish was to be an Army Soldier. Garcia, along with several family... MORE

Eight-year-old Miguel Garcia and others participate in a Make a Wish Foundation event on Nov. 7, 2020, at Fort McCoy, Wis.

NY Guard teammates ready for National Guard sniper challenge
December 3, 2020 — NEW YORK, New York – Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Melendez and Sgt. Andreas Diaz went to Afghanistan together, took the New York Police Department test together, graduated from the police academy together... MORE

New York Army National Guard's Sgt 1st Class Matthew Melendez ( left) and Sgt. Andreas Diaz, both members of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, pose for a photograph in the unit's historic Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City on Nov. 25, 2020.

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