Guard News - The National Guard

Alaska Guard Airman helps keep C-17 aircrew safe
February 27, 2020 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Rotar helps pilots see in the dark, he is the admiral of a fleet comprising dozens of life rafts, and the work he... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Joseph Rotar is a C-17 Globemaster III aircrew flight equipment technician with 176th Operations Support Squadron supporting 144th Airlift Squadron. Rotar is a former active Army paratrooper.

Michigan base recognized for environmental stewardship
February 24, 2020 — AUGUSTA, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard's Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC) is getting attention for its stewardship of the environment. FCTC stood out from other National Guard bases to win... MORE

Environmental staff and contractors assigned to Fort Custer Training Center (FCTC), Michigan Army National Guard, Augusta, Mich., conduct prescribed burns Oct. 24, 2019. The controlled burn is one way Fort Custer preserves, protects and restores environmental quality and promotes eco-friendly stewardship.

Veteran swears oath of enlistment at age 79
February 21, 2020 — DRAPER, Utah – At the age of 79, David Jager is likely the oldest enlistment in Utah National Guard history. Jager’s military record states that his career began in the Utah Guard on May 6, 1963, in... MORE

At the age of 79, David Jager is likely the oldest enlistment in Utah National Guard history. Jager’s military career began May 6, 1963, in Salt Lake City, at the age of 28, but he didn’t actually swear-in until Feb. 20, 2020, almost 57 years later.

Siblings ski and serve together in Minnesota National Guard
February 21, 2020 — ST. PAUL, Minn. – From Belarus to Chile to Northern Italy, biathletes and siblings Siena and Jakob Ellingson compete at high levels while serving in the Minnesota National Guard as specialists and... MORE

Siena and Jakob Ellingson, specialists in the Minnesota National Guard, shooting in a biathlon competition. The siblings enlisted in the Guard on the same day.

Pro athlete helps Connecticut Airman develop fitness lifestyle
February 20, 2020 — EAST GRANBY, Conn. – Senior Airman John Senn, 103rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment maintainer, Connecticut Air National Guard, was looking to make a positive lifestyle change but was... MORE

Senior Airman John Senn, left, 103rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment maintainer, Connecticut Air National Guard, and Meyers Leonard, Miami Heat power forward, at the NBA team's practice facility in Miami, Fla.

Siblings deployed to the Middle East together for 2nd time
February 18, 2020 — UNDISCLOSED LOCATION – This isn’t the first time a brother and sister have deployed overseas together.This isn’t even the first time for Indiana National Guard siblings Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Holloway... MORE

Indiana National Guard 1st Lt. Sara Holloway and Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Holloway at a base camp in the Middle East Jan. 25, 2020. The Holloways are deployed with two Indiana units, the 1313th Engineer Company and 38th Infantry Division, respectively, and they deployed in 2015 together supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

FL Guard's salsa band helps marathon runners find their rhythm
February 18, 2020 — MIAMI – As thousands of runners from around the world crossed the Miami Marathon finish line Feb. 9, they were not only welcomed by a boisterous crowd, but also by tropical salsa beats coming from the... MORE

Staff Sgt. Tywon Bailey, assigned to the Florida Army Guard’s 13th Army Band, performs at Bayfront Park during the Miami Marathon Feb. 9, 2020. The band performs at events as part of the Florida Army Guard’s community outreach throughout the state.

Michigan National Guard public health specialist chooses to help
February 14, 2020 — ALPENA, Mich. – Six years ago, Staff Sgt. Tim Frasier made a bold decision.“I got handed my first restaurant at age 19 – being a manager was good for that part of my life, but I was going to school... MORE

Staff Sgt. Timothy Frasier, public health manager of Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, at the Alpena CRTC clinic in Michigan Jan. 24, 2020, during Northern Strike 20-2. Alpena, Mich.

Georgia National Guard Soldier won Daytona in 1950
February 13, 2020 — ATLANTA – The annual Daytona 500 race in Daytona Beach, Fla., heralds the start of the NASCAR Cup Series. In 1950, nearly a decade before the construction of Daytona International Speedway, the... MORE

Capt. Harold Kite of the Georgia Army National Guard poses with his 1949 Lincoln and victory trophy from the 1950 Daytona stock car race. Kite, who commanded the Atlanta-based 201st Ordnance Medium Maintenance Company, won the race with a record time of 2 hours, 26 minutes, 30 seconds.

Pilot is first to fly F-15 Eagle with cervical prosthetic disc
February 12, 2020 — PORTLAND AIR GUARD STATION, Ore. – On a rainy December afternoon, pilots are suiting up for their afternoon sorties. Among them is Col. Todd Hofford, a 27-year National Guard member and F-15 Eagle... MORE

Col. Todd Hofford, 142nd Fighter Wing vice commander and newly reinstated F-15 Eagle pilot, Feb. 6, 2020, Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. Hofford recently completed a nearly three-year process of obtaining a waiver to pilot a high G aircraft with a prosthetic disc in his neck, making him the first in the world to do so.

Middle East deployment is family affair for NY Guard Soldiers
February 12, 2020 — FORT HOOD, Texas – Deploying with the New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division is a family thing for three members of the Valenza family from Queensbury, N.Y.Maj. Julie Valenza, her... MORE

New York Army National Guard Sgt Andrew Valenza, right, joined by his parents, Maj. Julie Valenza and Sgt. 1st Class William Valenza, as they prepare to deploy together during the 42nd Infantry Division farewell ceremony Jan. 11, 2020, at Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. All five members of the Valenza family are serving. A son is already deployed in Afghanistan and a daughter is in the New York Army National guard as well.

Maryland Army National Guard member wise beyond her rank
February 7, 2020 — BALTIMORE, Md. – Warrant officers: They are the technical experts of the U.S. Army. They are tasked with the invaluable responsibility of becoming subject-matter-experts in their career field and... MORE

Airman serves in multiple fire protection roles
February 6, 2020 — MCLAUGHLIN AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, W.Va. – Senior Airman Nate Arthur is a fire protection craftsman assigned to the 130th Fire and Emergency Services, West Virginia Air National Guard, who also holds... MORE

Senior Airman Nate Arthur, a fire protection craftsman assigned to the 130th Fire and Emergency Services, West Virginia Air National Guard, shown Jan. 14, 2020, at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, Charleston, W.Va.

104th Fighter Wing dental technician winds up 40 years of service
February 3, 2020 — WESTFIELD, Mass. – The 104th Fighter Wing is full of hardworking Airmen who get the job done. The 104th Medical Group has a history of success preparing Barnestormers to be mission ready and fit to... MORE

As she nears retirement, Master Sgt. Terrylee Lois Crowther with the 104th Fighter Wing's Medical Group, Massachusetts National Guard, says the highlight of her 40-year career was helping people at emergency medical clinics while deployed to Honduras, Paraguay and Kenya.

Newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant is AFVentures Fellow
February 3, 2020 — BALTIMORE – Air Force 2nd Lt. Sarah Soliman discovered what it meant to serve while working as a contractor for the military in Southwest Asia. After recently commissioning, she was awarded an... MORE

Air Force 2nd Lt. Sarah Soliman, member of the 175th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, recently commissioned into the Maryland Air National Guard and was selected to attend this year's AFVentures Fellows program in San Francisco.

AZ Airman earns black belts, articulates discipline concepts
January 31, 2020 — GOLDWATER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ariz. – For Senior Master Sgt. Scott Newberger, a dedication to mastering martial arts put him on a path for success, where discipline became a principle that... MORE

Minnesota Guard Soldier honors family’s military history
January 28, 2020 — CHAMPLIN, Minn. – Sgt. Maj. Katie Blackwell’s brother, uncles, grandfather and great grandfather served in the military. Her family’s military legacy goes back to the American Revolution.On Jan. 12,... MORE

Minnesota National Guard Soldier Katie Blackwell honored her family's legacy of military service dating back to the American Revolution by having her grandfather, Ford Elliott, help to promote her to the rank of sergeant major on his 90th birthday at a January 2020 ceremony in Champlin, Minn.

International military friendship extends to 2nd generation
January 28, 2020 — GEILENKIRCHEN, Germany – They say history has a way of repeating itself, and for the Smith and Radke families, that is certainly true.In 1984, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lee Smith, a navigator with the... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Troy Smith poses with German Air Force Capt. Wolf-Soren Radke Nov. 19, 2019, at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen. Smith and Radke are continuing a friendship their fathers, who were also military members, started years ago.

103rd SFS builds resilience through jujitsu
January 27, 2020 — EAST GRANBY, Conn. – A red mat hits the floor, and a large area that typically serves as Bradley Air National Guard Base’s emergency management classroom becomes a makeshift gym for Airmen of the... MORE

Master Sgt. Ian McMahon, top, 103rd Security Forces Squadron flight chief and combatives instructor, grapples with Tech. Sgt. Brian Davies, 103rd Security Forces Squadron, during an informal jujitsu session at Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Conn. Jan. 23, 2020.

For First Army plans officer, an unconventional career
January 24, 2020 — ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – Imagine having lived not one but two full careers – a 25-year career in the civilian world, and 36 years in uniform serving the Army National Guard and Active Army. But,... MORE

Lt. Col. Kendall Workman, plans officer, First Army, is going into his 36th continuous year in the military. Workman started his military career as a National Guard Soldier, reaching the rank of staff sergeant before attending Officer Candidate School. Before entering the Active Guard Reserve, Workman worked for 25 years at Boeing Commercial Airplane Group.

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