Guard News - The 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.

Colorado Guard First Sgt. honors father's service
December 1, 2020 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Eugene Patton Jr. grew up in the shadow of a man whose Army career he always admired but has ultimately surpassed.Patton recently pinned on the diamond as the first sergeant... MORE

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Patton Sr. affixes the insignia on his son 1st Sgt. Eugene Patton Jr. patrol cap during a promotion ceremony on October 20, 2020.

Retired pararescueman partners with Guardian Angels for rescue
December 1, 2020 — JBER, Alaska – Few would know from looking at retired Alaska Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Michael Wayt served 21 years on active duty between the regular Air Force and the Alaska Air National... MORE

Wayt's team rescued a family of four on Aug. 15, 2020, at Beluga Point off the Seward Highway. When one of his team members was injured during the rescue, a 176th Wing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter carrying pararescuemen launched from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and extracted the injured firefighter.

Virtual tour highlights historic N.Y. battle flag collection
November 27, 2020 — ALBANY, N.Y. – Some of New York’s 2,200 battle flags – the largest collection of its kind in the country – are now featured in a virtual video tour of the New York State Capitol. The six-minute video... MORE

The Flag Room in the New York State Capitol in Albany, pictured in a virtual tour video, houses a collection of historic battle flags maintained by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs.

171st celebrates World War II veteran’s 102nd birthday
November 24, 2020 — FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing participated in a celebration honoring a World War II veteran who turned 102 years old on Nov. 12.John M. Mahler, a... MORE

Retired Lt. Col. John Mahler, who was once assigned to the 342nd Bombardment Squadron, celebrates his 102nd birthday as he watches a parade of military and first responder vehicles pass the Butler Veterans Affairs Health Care Wellness Center on Nov. 12, 2020, in Butler, Pa.

Connecticut Guardsman organizes Thanksgiving meal donations
November 23, 2020 — EAST GRANBY, Conn. – As many Americans continue to face health and economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Connecticut Air National Guard member is making sure families can enjoy a warm... MORE

Senior Airman Alexis Maher, 103rd Security Forces Squadron defender, packs a vehicle with Thanksgiving meal kits at Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Connecticut, Nov. 16, 2020. Maher organized the squadron’s second annual Thanksgiving food drive, in which 103rd Airlift Wing members helped donate 120 family meal kits to food banks in six towns.

N.Y. Guard Airman proud to be a Soldier after 29-year career
November 23, 2020 — LATHAM, N.Y. – Twenty-nine years after walking into a recruiting office, Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Peno says he probably makes a better Soldier than he does an Airman.He's proud to be a member of the... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Peno instructing members of the New York Guard, the state's defense force, on the use of the computer communications system used by the New York National Guard during disasters, at Camp Smith Training Site on June 24, 2017.

Family has shared calling at 171st Air Refueling Wing
November 13, 2020 — FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – At the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing, a long history of service among families is woven into the daily life of the unit's culture and mission."The... MORE

A photo illustration showing members of the Hutsler family, who have had a tradition of serving in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing near Pittsburgh.

Iowa Air Guard’s 132nd Security Forces Squadron Conducts Annual Training in Hawaii

Wisconsin Air Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing Partners With UW Health for Medical Airmen Training

Connecticut Army Guard Partners With Coast Guard to Dislodge Beached Buoy

Minnesota Guard Among First to Field Army’s Newest M250 Automatic Rifle

Soldier’s Medal Awarded to Georgia Guardsman Who Pulled Driver From Burning SUV