Guard News - The National Guard

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.

Tennessee Guard Airmen train Soldiers on heavy equipment
May 17, 2019 — CATOOSA SPRINGS, Ga. – A crowd of Army National Guard Soldiers gather around a giant piece of heavy equipment as an Airman in a hard hat explains the purpose and function of the various knobs and... MORE

Sgt. Shantophia Cruz listens as Tech. Sgt. Doug Haveman explains operation of the Vermeer RT950.Airmen from the 241st Engineering Installation Squadron and Soldiers from the 230th Signal Company came together in Chatoosa, Georgia, May 9, 2019, to perform joint training. The 241st EIS Airmen provided training on heavy equipment needed to dig trenches for installation of fiber optics and other communications services.

Air Guard member gets Utah Cross for rescuing motorist
May 16, 2019 — SALT LAKE CITY – Tech. Sgt. Sean Price, a boom operator assigned to the 151st Air Refueling Wing at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Salt Lake City, was awarded the Utah Cross by Utah Gov... MORE

Tech Sgt. Sean Price, a boom operator with the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah Air National Guard, is presented with the Utah Cross by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and the state adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton, April 22, 2019, at Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base, Salt Lake City, Utah. Price was presented with the Utah Cross for providing lifesaving first aid to an injured driver.

103rd uses first virtual-reality loadmaster training system
May 10, 2019 — BRADLEY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Conn. – Loadmasters at the 103rd Airlift Wing helped develop the first Virtual Loadmaster Training System (VLTS), that recently became fully operational at Bradley Air... MORE

Bill Ehler, Capewell Aerial Systems business development manager, left, provides instruction on the virtual loadmaster training system (VLTS) to Staff Sgt. Chad Warren March 29, 2019 at Bradley Air National Guard Base, Conn. The development of this first-of-its-kind training system was a collaborative effort between the 103rd Airlift Wing and Capewell Aerial Systems.

Ohio Air Guard nurse cares for Airmen and cancer patients
May 9, 2019 — SWANTON, Ohio – A cancer diagnosis can leave patients reeling, frightened and uncertain of the future, especially when it is an aggressive form of cancer or one that doesn’t respond to traditional... MORE

U.S. Air Force Captain Stephanie Smiddy, the infection and immunization officer-in-charge at the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, administers a vaccination March 2, 2019, in Swanton, Ohio. Vaccinations ensure Airmen are ready to deploy anywhere in the world and to keep them healthy so they can continue to perform the mission.

Va. National Guard Soldiers join multi-state Cyber Shield
May 8, 2019 — CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. — Virginia National Guard cyber warriors joined more than 800 National Guard personnel from 40 states and territories for Cyber Shield 2019 to test their skills in response to... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Fairfax-based 123rd Cyber Protection Battalion, 91st Cyber Brigade, provide digital forensics support to identify indicators of compromise and the source of intrusion to help protect a customer network in a virtualized training environment April 16, 2019, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, during Cyber Shield 19.

North Carolina officer candidates learn battlefield lessons
May 7, 2019 — FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The tradition of the staff ride dates back to the early 1900s when Maj. Eben Swift, the assistant commandant of the General Service and Staff School Fort Leavenworth, Kansas took... MORE

North Carolina National Guard Officer Candidate Patrick Henson briefs the rest of the 139th Regional Training Institue's Officer Candidate School Class 61 on important decisions made during the Battle of Chancellorsville while visiting the Civil War site near Fredericksburg, Virginia, on May 4, 2019. OCS Class 61 visited the site as a way to learn leadership through studying historical battles during their class staff ride.

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