Guard News - The National Guard

Kentucky Guard Soldier posts highest ACFT score yet
June 27, 2019 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – The U.S. Army is transitioning to a new physical fitness test, the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), to better prepare Soldiers in readiness and lethality. To date, no Soldier yet has... MORE

Spc. Ryan Sowder is an 88M truck driver for the 2112th Transportation Company based in Burlington, Ky. Sowder recently scored a 597 out of 600 points on the new Army Combat Fitness Test, which is the highest score to date across the force.

Natural disasters inspire Guard members to re-enlist
June 21, 2019 — TOPEKA, Kansas – No one wants bad things to happen, especially in their communities. However, for two Kansas National Guard members, the devastation of recent floods was a rejuvenating experience... MORE

Maj. Drew Polen (left), executive officer of the 891st Engineer Battalion, gives the reenlistment oath to Spc. Russell O'Neill (right), assigned to 891st Forward Support Company, June 2, a top of pallets of water that are ready to be distributed to communities in Kansas devastated by flooding in May.

W.Va. Guard Soldier makes impact in flood recovery program
June 20, 2019 — CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) Pvt. 1st Class James Jarrell, an interior electrician (12R), has been making a positive impact for flood recovery efforts in the state... MORE

Pvt. 1st Class James Jarrell, an interior electrician in the West Virginia Army National Guard, poses for a photo June 17, 2019. Jarrell works for the RISE West Virginia program to assist West Virginians affected by the devastating 2016 flood.

Gunnery simulators augment Army Guard training
June 19, 2019 — SUFFOLK, Va. – Spc. Erik Murphy, a cavalry scout with the Virginia Army National Guard’s Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, stood in the turret of a Humvee, prepared to engage targets with... MORE

Spc. Erik Murphy, a cavalry scout with the Virginia Army National Guard's Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, engages targets with an M2 .50 caliber machine gun on the Individual Unstabalized Gunnery Trainer during training at the Suffolk Armory in Suffolk, Virginia, June 8, 2019. The IUGT is a computer-based simulator that connects the body of a weapon to a virtual reality system and is used to augment the training on crew-served weapons.

Idaho Guard works with SWAT team to boost marksmanship
June 17, 2019 — MELBA, Idaho – The Idaho National Guard marksmanship team participated for the first time in the urban and rural sniper training held in Melba by the Treasure Valley's SWAT sniper element. The... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Jared Frogley, the IDNG state marksmanship NCO in charge engages precision fire on targets with a bolt-action scope rifle as the Idaho National Guard marksmanship team participated for the first time in the urban and rural sniper training held in Melba by the Treasure Valley's SWAT sniper element. The Meridian Police Department sponsored the course and the SWAT team instructors volunteered their time and to produce the intense 50-hour, five-day course, held from June 3 through June 7, 2019.

Under pressure: Providing critical care when it matters most
June 14, 2019 — SWANTON, Ohio – While other children watched "Sesame Street" or "Lamb Chop's Play-Along," Kaitlyn Newkirk watched shows about trauma surgeons. Even as young as three years old, her dad would find her... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kaitlyn Newkirk, a clinical nurse assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing, poses for a portrait March 18, 2019, at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. As a clinical nurse, she draws blood, gives shots, and teaches self-aid and buddy care to all 180FW Airmen to ensure they have the skills to provide life-saving first aid during the often chaotic and high-stress situations they might face in deployed environments.

Resident opens heart and home to Oklahoma Guard members
June 11, 2019 — SAND SPRINGS, Okla. – Two weeks ago, a man named Bob and the Soldiers of Headquarters Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment had never met. They would have never met. They would... MORE

Sand Springs, Oklahoma, resident Bob Casebold sits in his garage with Spc. Kailey Bellville, a unit supply specialist in Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, after she helped lay sandbags around trees at his Sand Springs home May 30, 2019.

New York Soldier is honored for his academic work
June 7, 2019 — ALBANY, N.Y. – For the past couple of years, when Maj. Keith Casserly wasn’t on the job as unit commander of the New York Army National Guard’s Medical Command, he’s been in class, the library, or... MORE

New York Army National Guard Major Keith Casserly with the atmospheric sampler he used to conduct a study of particulate air pollution along bus routes in Albany, N.Y. outside New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on May 15, 2019. Casserly conducted the study as part of his studfies toward a Masters in Public Health and was recognized by the State University of New York, Albany, with an award for Excellence in Scholarship.

Civil engineer Airmen learn disaster skills at Global Dragon
June 7, 2019 — PERRY, Ga. – Civil engineer operations students from the 147th Attack Wing learned route-clearing skills during Exercise Global Dragon 2019, held at the Guardian Centers of Georgia, May 29. In the... MORE

Civil engineer team members participate in a route clearing exercise simulating an after effect of a tornado during Exercise Global Dragon 2019 at the Guardian Centers of Georgia, held in Perry, Ga., May 29, 2019. Global Dragon is a biannual, Air National Guard led joint training exercise focusing on career fields across the Mission Support enterprise in as close to real-world conditions as possible.

Emergency Management Airmen suit up at Global Dragon 2019 
June 7, 2019 — PERRY, Ga. – Emergency Management team members held a Level-A Olympics, donning chemical protective gear before participating in various training games during Exercise Global Dragon 2019, June 3, at... MORE

Emergency Managers from around the country play in Level-A Olympics during Exercise Global Dragon 2019, in Perry, Georgia, May 31, 2019. Global Dragon is a biannual, Air National Guard led joint training exercise focusing on career fields across the Mission Support enterprise in as close to real-world conditions as possible.

105th Airlift Wing Airmen conduct annual escape training
June 5, 2019 — STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – Among the mountains, woods, and water of the Hudson Valley, aircrew members with the 137th Airlift Squadron of the 105th Airlift Wing completed combat survival... MORE

Airmen assigned to the 105th Airlift Wing participate in combat survival training at Plum Point County Park, New Windsor, New York, June 1, 2019. The training equips aircrews with the skill necessary to survive in hostile environments.

Kansas Army Guard medic serves his county and his country
June 3, 2019 — FORT IRWIN, Calif. – If Kansas Army National Guard Sgt. Christopher Rectenwald is at work, he’s likely saving someone’s life or standing by ready to do so. As a civilian, he works as a paramedic for... MORE

Kansas Army National Guard Sgt. Kenneth Kester and Sgt. Christopher Rectenwald, 242nd Engineer Company, discusses the outer perimeter of the tactical assembly area June 1, 2019, at Fort Irwin, California. Rectenwald is assigned to the 242nd Engineer Company as a 68W combat medic.

Like father like sons, Idaho's Bundy brothers serve together
June 3, 2019 — FORT IRWIN, Calif. – Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers 2nd Lt. Zane Bundy and his big brother Sgt. Nathan Bundy take after their father, Mountain Home city councilman Matt Bundy, in a number of ways... MORE

Idaho Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Zane Bundy and Sgt. Nathan Bundy pose for a selfie while training together at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California May 29, 2019. The brothers, from Mountain Home, Idaho, both serve in the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team’s 2nd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment.

Citizen-Warrior: Iowa Soldier finds passion for running
May 31, 2019 — JOHNSTON, Iowa – On a Saturday evening in 2013, Kimberly Hamner carried a load of laundry into her daughter’s bedroom. As she set the laundry down, she noticed a stack of papers on the bed. Hamner... MORE

Sgt. Ayrin Hamner-Ripperger, the administration and supply non-commissioned officer with the Iowa Army National Guard’s 831st Engineer Company, stands at Camp Dodge, Iowa, with the race medals she has earned on her quest to run a half-marathon in all 50 states. Hamner-Ripperger is slated to finish her quest in October, when she runs in South Dakota.

N.Y. Soldier gets surprise final flight after 33-year career
May 31, 2019 — LATHAM, N.Y. – New York Army National Guard Sgt. Maj. Joseph Marino, a federal technician specializing in helicopter maintenance for 33 years, expected the usual retirement lunch and jokes when he... MORE

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Maj. Joseph Marino sits with his wife Brenda, in Latham, N.Y., May 29, 2019, after returning from a final flight in a UH-72 light utility helicopter. Marino, a federal technician maintenance supervisor, was honored with a final flight because he was retiring after 33 years of service at the New York Army National Guard's Latham flight facility.

Chaplain from troubled home now helps strengthen families
May 29, 2019 — COLUMBUS, Ohio – Military service is thought to change people. It is described as immersive, prolonged and tightly regimented. Many young people join for structure and to straighten into adulthood... MORE

N.Y. National Guard Soldiers hone nuclear response skills
May 28, 2019 — CAMP ATTERBURY, Indiana – One hundred and sixty New York Army National Guard Soldiers spent May 8-16 honing their emergency response skills during exercise Guardian Response 2019 at Camp Atterbury,... MORE

Soldiers of the 369th Sustainment Brigade man their command post on May 12, 2019 during exercise Guardian Response 19 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. One hundred and sixty New York National Guard Soldiers took part in the major national exercise.

Brothers serve together in the Ohio Air National Guard
May 28, 2019 — MANSFIELD, Ohio – For members of the National Guard, from the moment you raise your right hand and take the Oath of Enlistment, you gain a family. Brothers and sisters who have your back day and... MORE

Brothers Tyler Jenkins, Senior Airman Anthony Thielman and Dylan Jenkins, all members of the 200th REDHORSE Squadron, May 19, 2019, at the 200th REDHORSE Squadron, Mansfield, Ohio. Dylan and Tyler recently enlisted into the Ohio Air Guard, following in the footsteps of their older brother.

Psychological coordinator works to normalize mental health
May 24, 2019 — WESTFIELD, Mass. – Michelle Pennington, director of psychological health at the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing, has been involved in social work since she was a child. Her... MORE

Michelle Pennington, 104th Fighter Wing director of psychological health.

Against the odds: Ohio Airman battling extremely rare cancer
May 21, 2019 — DAYTON, Ohio – She has endured level-10 pain virtually head to toe. She has experienced partial paralysis, and she has endured her spinal cord stripped down to seemingly bare wire. Now, however,... MORE

Master Sgt. Charlotte Ortiz, the assistant recruiting and retention superintendent for Headquarters, Ohio Air National Guard in Columbus, Ohio, exhibits her positive, joyful spirit during a visit with her co-workers, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Ortiz is fighting a very rare type of cancer.

Louisiana Guard, Active Component Airmen Complete Air-to-Air Integration Training

Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In

Colorado Army National Guard Conducts Aviation Training for Wildfire Season

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs Highlights Virginia National Guard Excellence at Military Ball

Oregon Air Guard Participates in Sentry Aloha Exercise