Guard News - The National Guard

Virginia Guard Takes Holistic Approach to Health, Readiness
May 10, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. – While the Virginia National Guard has long had dedicated personnel ready to respond to a Soldier or Airman in crisis, a new team of specialists focuses on prevention to help maintain... MORE

The Virginia National Guard has a new Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce of specialists to help maintain the force’s readiness and health. The team includes general prevention specialists and members focused on preventing workplace, sexual and family violence and abuse, harassment and self-directed harm.

New Hampshire Airman Saves Man’s Life at Gym
May 9, 2024 — PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H. – Moments after stepping into his local gym, a New Hampshire National Guardsman saved the life of a fellow patron on the evening of April 15.“There was a man on the... MORE

Airman 1st Class Sokthearrith Dong, an aircrew flight equipment specialist with the 157th Operations Group, poses on the flight line May 5, 2024, at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. When a man collapsed at Dong’s gym April 15, he immediately initiated emergency care and saved his life.

Maryland Air Guardsman Wins Innovation Award
May 1, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - The Air National Guard has recognized a Maryland Air National Guard Airman for innovation that helps improve efficiency and operational readiness at the 175th Wing.Capt. Kerry Guy,... MORE

Maryland Air National Guard Capt. Kerry Guy, 175th Wing contracting officer, poses for a photograph at Warfield Air National Guard Base, April 17, 2024, in Middle River, Maryland. Guy is the officer in charge of the 175th Wing Spark Cell, which was established in January 2022 and boasts over 60 members across 15 squadrons.

Iowa Air Guard Support Dog, Chaplain Reunite Post-Deployment
May 1, 2024 — SIOUX CITY, Iowa - For Adele (the dog, not the singer), after her person, Chaplain Lt. Col. Stephen Peters, deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar last fall, it was like he was gone for years in dog... MORE

After a six-month deployment, Chaplain Lt. Col. Stephen Peters is reunited with his dog, Adele, at the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa, April 30, 2024. Peters was serving as deputy command chaplain for U.S. Air Force Central Command at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar while Adele continued her duties as the morale support dog at the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing.

Virginia Guard Avionics Team Tackles High-flying Challenges
April 30, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. - Tucked behind a blue door at the Virginia Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility is the organization’s avionics section, where a small group of full-time Soldiers work to... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers conduct maintenance on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter April 2, 2024, at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston, Virginia. The Soldiers are part of the AASF’s avionics shop, which troubleshoots, diagnoses and repairs avionic components and wiring on the VNG’s Black Hawk fleet.

New Jersey Guardsman Rescues Injured Worker
April 30, 2024 — SYRIA - U.S. Army Sgt. Lauren Shalabi was picking up her meal at a market in North East Syria and wasn’t expecting chaos but was ready for it. Her daily routine on March 24 was abruptly interrupted... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Lauren Shalabi, an automated logistics specialist assigned to the 250th Brigade Support Battalion, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, in Syria, April 24, 2024. Shalabi used her military and civilian skills to provide medical aid to a severely injured worker in Syria.

Soldier Teaches Sign Language to Deployed Troops
April 22, 2024 — UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - In the heart of the U.S. Central Command area of operations, where the focus is often on mission readiness and combat preparedness, one service member has taken a unique... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Ashley Brown, a geospatial intelligence imagery analyst assigned to Alpha Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 34th Infantry Division, volunteers to teach deployed service members American Sign Language, during a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations, April 7, 2024. Brown learned ASL growing up as a child of deaf adults and enjoys teaching about deaf history, culture and sign language.

Determined Guam Guardsman Earns Blade Runner Award
April 17, 2024 — BARRIGADA, Guam – Guam National Guard Capt. Greg May was on his last day at Maneuver Captain’s Career Course when a National Guard Bureau liaison spoke to the class. “If you’re in the National Guard... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Greg May of the Guam National Guard displays his recently earned Pathfinder Badge at Joint Force Headquarters Guam April 2, 2024. May volunteered for Pathfinder School with two days' notice and, despite a series of retests, beat the odds and earned the honorary title of "Blade Runner."

Virginia Guardsman Earns Expert Soldier Badge
April 16, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. - Maj. Josh Favaro, executive officer of the Virginia National Guard’s 229th Brigade Engineering Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, earned the Expert Soldier Badge March... MORE

Maj. Josh Favaro, executive officer of the Virginia National Guard’s 229th Brigade Engineering Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, receives the Expert Soldier Badge from Sgt. Maj. Justin Walkup, the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team operations sergeant major, March 15, 2024, at Fort Walker, Virginia.

Daughter of Virgin Islands Guardsmen Continues Legacy
April 4, 2024 — FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - Every April, the Department of Defense celebrates the selfless service and duty demonstrated by military-connected children, youth and teens. Pfc. T’Anna Stanley-Lake’s deep... MORE

Pfc. T'Anna Stanley-Lake at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, March 19, 2024. Stanley-Lake, with the Army North Military Funeral Honors Platoon Caisson Section, is the daughter of former Virgin Islands National Guard members Kim Stanley and the late Sgt.1st Class Floyd E. Lake, who died in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash in Baghdad Jan. 20, 2007.

April an Opportunity to Salute Military Children
April 1, 2024 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Though the label “military brat” is worn with pride by those who grew up in military families, many outside that lifestyle are unaware of just what those children go... MORE

U.S. Airmen with the 211th Engineering Installation Squadron, 193rd Regional Support Group, 193rd Special Operations Wing, say goodbye to their loved ones at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, in 2023 before leaving for a six-month deployment.

Pennsylvania Guard NCO Guides Soldiers on Polish History
March 29, 2024 — POZNAN, Poland - In the corridors of a history museum lie numerous artifacts narrating vivid stories of Poland’s rich history and culture. Native Polish residents routinely navigate these halls,... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Mateja, Pennsylvania National Guard, the religious affairs NCO of U.S. Army Garrison Poland, shows tour guests a visual of the battlefield at the Museum of the Wielkopolska Uprising of 1918-1919 in Poznan, Poland, March 15, 2024. Mateja guided U.S. Army Soldiers through this museum to see the artifacts and historical replicas that represent the Polish history of independence.

Air National Guard Officers Selected for Prestigious Fellowship
March 27, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - During Women’s History Month, the National Guard Bureau is proud to congratulate three Air National Guard officers for a trailblazing achievement. U.S. Air Force Lt. Cols. Autumn... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jen Warren, center, deputy director of AFWERX, stands with Air National Guard AFWERX fellowship recipients Lt. Col. Frances Romero, left, and Lt. Col. Cristi Campbell, right. Not pictured: U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Autumn Lorenz.

NY Air Guard Chief Completes Memorial Bataan Death March
March 25, 2024 — WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. - “You could feel the energy starting to rise while we were all just standing there,” New York Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Pullar recalled, describing... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Patricia Pullar, senior enlisted leader for the 105th Airlift Wing's Operations Group, poses with Bataan Memorial Death March medal at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, New York, March 22, 2024. Pullar completed her fourth Bataan Memorial Death March March 16 at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Teen Joins Pennsylvania National Guard as Helicopter Pilot
March 20, 2024 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Isaac Bell knows the path to becoming a helicopter pilot as a 19-year-old will be hard, but he is embracing the challenge ahead of him.Bell took the oath of enlistment March... MORE

Isaac Bell, a Pennsylvania Army National Guard recruit who enlisted through the 09W program, is honored during an enlistment and swearing-in ceremony at Muir Army Heliport at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, March 15, 2024. The program, known as “streets to seats” or “high school to flight school,” provides a path to flight school after basic training.

New York’s Fighting 69th Leads Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
March 18, 2024 — NEW YORK - For the 173rd year in a row, Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, “Fighting 69th” Infantry Regiment, marched at the head of New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day... MORE

Soldiers with the New York National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, lead the annual New York City Saint Patrick’s Day Parade March 16, 2024. The “Fighting 69th” Infantry has led the world’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade since 1851.

NY National Guard to Lead Largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 13, 2024 — NEW YORK - The Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, will again lead the world’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parade this year.Since 1851, “The Fighting... MORE

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, lead the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York March 17, 2022. On March 16, 2024, the battalion will lead the parade for the 173rd time.

Maryland Guard Airman Uses Military Training to Save a Life
March 11, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - The day before Thanksgiving, most people are thinking about a short list of things to do - ensuring the turkey is thawed, cleaning the house for a family visit, or preparing for a... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Brooke Parks, 175th Force Support Squadron recruiter, poses for a photo in front of the 175th Wing Headquarters building at Martin State Air National Guard Base, Maryland, Feb. 4, 2024.

Army Flight School Grad Follows in Father’s Footsteps
March 8, 2024 — FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. – When Warrant Officer Paul D. Kelly walked across the stage and graduated flight school Feb. 8, his silver wings were not the only thing he took away with him.Also in his tool kit... MORE

Warrant Officer Paul D. Kelly's mother, Maria, pins his silver wings on his uniform as he graduates flight school as a Black Hawk pilot at Fort Novosel, Ala., Feb. 8, 2024. He serves with the Virginia Army National Guard.

National Guard Chief Presents Silver Star to Vietnam Veteran
March 8, 2024 — WAYNE, Pa. – Nearly 57 years after rescuing more than 80 U.S. and South Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War, retired Army Capt. Larry Liss received the Silver Star medal.Liss originally... MORE

New York Guard Helps Floridians Recover from Hurricane

New Mexico National Guard Helps Rescue Flood Victims

From Ohio to Alaska, Airmen Unite for Space Intelligence

National Guard Bureau Hosts Cybersecurity Awareness Panel

Alaska Air Guard Conducts Communications Out Exercise