Guard News - The National Guard

N.Y. Army Guard lieutenant creates free map graphics app
January 10, 2019 — ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Need an easy and quick way to turn your operations plan into map graphics? Thanks to New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. James Pistell, there's an app for that! Pistell, the... MORE

The MGRS-Mapper computer application developed by New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. James Pistell allows users to overlay the military grid reference system on a Google maps image and then create and place tactical and warfighting graphics and symbols on it to be used as an overlay and shared via email.

D.C. Air Guard unit protects skies over nation’s capital
January 10, 2019 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. – "Scramble, scramble, scramble," a monotonous, booming voice blares from a speaker inside a spotless hangar. As the words echo through the open space, Air Force Col. John... MORE

Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Halvorsen, a pilot with the District of Columbia Air National Guard's Aerospace Control Alert Detachment, goes through a pre-flight check in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training event at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Dec. 19, 2018. Halvorsen is one of several pilots with the detachment, which is tasked with keeping the Washington, D.C., area safe from airborne threats. The ACAD has responded to more than 6,200 alert events since its formation in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

First female Royal Jordanian aviator trains in Pennsylvania
January 9, 2019 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) and Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) military officials met recently to honor another milestone in the U.S. and... MORE

The Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., recently hosted Cadet Aya Al-Sourany of the Royal Jordanian Air Force, Jordan's first female helicopter pilot. EAATS has a long history of training pilots form Jordan, and from many nations, evidenced by a sweet gum tree planted by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 1999 on EAATS grounds.

Idaho recruiting commander enlists daughter in Guard
January 8, 2019 — BOISE, Idaho – Throughout 2018, Idaho Army National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention Battalion recruiters enlisted approximately 450 Soldiers into the Idaho Army National Guard. For Lt. Col. David... MORE

Lt. Col. David Darney administers the oath of enlistment to his daughter, Pvt. Sarah Darney, Dec. 27, 2018, at the Boise Military Entrance Processing Station.

104th Fighter Wing firefighters train, help local towns
January 8, 2019 — BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. - The 104th Civil Engineering Squadron Fire Department is an important part of the community with an immediate impact on public safety. Its members work on base... MORE

Airman 1st Class Thomas Ruffo and Senior Airman Dylan Nygren, 104th Civil Engineering Squadron firefighters, participate in live structural fire training Nov. 27, 2018, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts. The training ensures the Fire Attack Teams are prepared to respond to any fires on base or in the surrounding communities.

Rhode Island ANG says goodbye to nearly 50 years of Hart
January 7, 2019 — NORTH KINGSTON, R.I. – Members of the Rhode Island National Guard gathered Dec. 1 at Quonset Air National Guard Base to witness the retirement of Col. Richard Hart after 29 years of service. Attending... MORE

Col. Richard Hart, left, poses with his family, including sister, retired Col. Kathleen (Hart) Sullivan, brother-in-law, retired Col. John Sullivan, and father, retired Brig. Gen. Richard Hart following his retirement ceremony held at Quonset Air National Guard Base, North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Colonel Hart retires after serving nearly 30 years in the Rhode Island Air National Guard in several capacities. He is the last of the Hart family to retire from the RIANG.

Blacksmith forges small tokens of thanks for USA's heroes
January 2, 2019 — GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Randy Dack still remembers every detail from Sept. 11, 2001.Dack, the blacksmith at Grand Island's Stuhr Museum, vividly remembers hearing, "they just hit the World Trade Center."... MORE

Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Randy Dack, a blacksmith at Grand Island’s Stuhr Museum in Nebraska, has made more than 4,000 "lucky" horseshoes for military service members worldwide. Dack made his first "Soldier's shoe" for his son prior to his first deployment in 2002 with the Nebraska Army National Guard's 1-134th Cavalry.

Oregon National Guard secures an all-natural defense
January 2, 2019 — CLACKAMAS, Ore. – As important as all-terrain vehicles, up-to-date weaponry and cutting-edge communication systems are for the U.S. military to complete its mission, the Department of Defense (DOD)... MORE

Solar Panels attached on top of the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas, Ore., helped boost the energy savings of the building. Over the previous summer, added panels were added to the building. Even on overcast days, the panels continue to produce power for the building, helping save on energy cost for the Oregon National Guard.

Bound by blood, brothers serve in military by choice
December 28, 2018 — FORT BLISS, Texas – Eight years since last seeing each other, two brothers from Central Valley, California, cross paths at a remote West Texas location, nestled between mountain ranges and riddled... MORE

Col. David Mendoza, deputy commander of inpatient services, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, with fraternal twin brother, Maj. James Mendoza, human resources officer, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a California Army National Guard unit out of San Diego, during a chance meeting at Fort Bliss, Dec. 4, 2018. The Mendoza brothers have served in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and National Guard since graduating high school, rarely seeing each other.

Maine Air Wing has been big on family ties since its beginning
December 26, 2018 — BANGOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Maine – The Maine Air National Guard was established in 1947, prior to the birth of the Air Force. Since then the wing finds itself deep-rooted in tradition and family... MORE

Staff Sgts. Erica Blanchette and Alyssa Nelson pose for a photo Dec. 20, 2018, at Bangor National Guard Base, Maine. The sisters, who are also identical twins, swore in eight months apart.

Glens Falls' Christmas Eve Road March continues for 15th year
December 26, 2018 — GLENS FALLS, N.Y. – Volunteers from across the New York National Guard joined more than 1,000 military family members, community supporters and Gold Star Families for the 15th annual Christmas Eve... MORE

Retired New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Coon, center in red jacket, steps off for the 15th annual Christmas Eve Road March in Glens Falls, N.Y., Dec. 24, 2018. Coon has organized the annual event to honor deployed service members since 2004 when Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard were deployed to Iraq.

Santa tracking all began as a newspaper ad error
December 20, 2018 — WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kids across the U.S. have grown accustomed to keeping track of the big guy's journey through the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa Tracker. They can track his flight... MORE

Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the operations officer at North American Aerospace Defense Command’s precursor organization, answered a wrong-number call on Dec. 24, 1955, and began the tradition of NORAD tracking Santa.

New York National Guard artillery troops honor WWII veteran
December 20, 2018 — NEW WINDSOR, N.Y. – Members of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery honored one of their own from World War II during the annual St. Barbara's Ball on Dec. 7. Former... MORE

New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Marc Lindemann, commander of the 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, presents the Military Order of St. Barbara, the patron saint of the Field Artillery, to Army Pfc. Charles A. Brown, in New Windsor, N.Y., Dec. 7, 2018. Brown served in the 258th Field Artillery during WWII and donated his archives and records of the battalion’s combat actions in 2017 to the unit and the New York State Military History Museum.

New York Air Guard members help NORAD track Santa
December 18, 2018 — ROME, N.Y. – As North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Tracks Santa ramps up this year, the New York Air National Guard members and Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of the Eastern Air... MORE

New York Air National Guards Master Sgt. Shane Reid, front, and Tech. Sgt. Brady King, both of the 224th Air Defense Squadron, train for upcoming Santa tracking operations at the Eastern Air Defense Sector in Rome. A headquarters unit of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), EADS supports the NORAD Tracks Santa operation every year.

National Guard Bureau chief pens holiday message
December 12, 2018 — ARLINGTON, Va. – As we enter the holiday season, let's all take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and achievements over the past year. This year, National Guard units supported emergency... MORE

Gen. Joseph L. Lengyel, chief of the National Guard Bureau, issued his holiday message Dec. 12, 2018.

How is the National Guard 140 years older than the U.S.?
December 12, 2018 — CARSON CITY, Nev. – When the National Guard celebrates its 382nd birthday Thursday, skeptics might ask the obvious question: "How can the National Guard be 140 years older than the nation, and exist... MORE

Spc. Ashley Hartman cuts the ceremonial birthday cake for the National Guard's 381st birthday alongside Nevada Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. William Burks, left. The Nevada National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters office celebrates the National Guard's birthday every year with the highest and most junior ranking members available as cake cutters.

Six N.Y. Guard Soldiers will be part of National Army Museum
December 10, 2018 — BROOKLYN, N.Y. – When the National Museum of the United States Army opens to the public outside Washington, D.C., in 2020, six New York Army National Guard Soldiers will be a permanent part of it... MORE

New York Army National Guard Maj.Robert Freed poses with a mock M-4 and block of wood replicating a radio handset, as photos of his pose are taken at Studio EIS in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Nov. 15, 2018. Freed is one of six New York National Guard Soldiers who served as models for life-size figures that will be part of two exhibits at the National Museum of the United States Army when it opens in 2020. The figure Freed served as a model is of a platoon leader in Afghanistan calling for air support.

Unmanned aircraft enhances Army Guard response capabilities
December 6, 2018 — ARLINGTON, Va. - In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and during recent Northern California wildfires, Army National Guard members deployed two types of unmanned aircraft systems that allowed for... MORE

Army Pfc. Michael Makowski, with the South Carolina Army National Guard's D Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, launches an RQ-11B Raven in Bucksport, South Carolina, during Hurricane Florence response operations, Sept. 26, 2018. The unmanned aircraft system assists Army Guard units in gathering situational awareness of disaster scenes and sharing that information with other Guard elements, emergency officials and first responders.

Citizen-Warrior: Ohio Air Guard member fights drug suppliers
December 6, 2018 — CINCINNATI, Ohio - Two men in an unmarked black sports utility vehicle sat idle, engine off, in a parking garage. They had been there long enough that their coffee had cooled from near boiling to room... MORE

Staff Sgt. Alicia Stayonovich, a criminal analyst for the Ohio Counterdrug Task Force, tracks drug trafficking patterns as part of her work with Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in Cincinnati. Stayonovich, who provides real-time intelligence and analysis for HSI agents in the field, takes a personal interest in helping remove drugs from the street as her brother died of a heroin overdose in 2015.

New York National Guard marks birthday of eighth president
December 6, 2018 — KINDERHOOK, N.Y. —As the United States mourned the death of George H.W. Bush, the 41st president on Wednesday, the New York National Guard commemorated the country’s eighth president, Martin Van... MORE

New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski and Brig. Gen. John Adonie, render honors to President Martin Van Buren, the 8th president of the United States, during a Dec. 5, 2018 ceremony at his gravesite at Kinderhook Reformed Church Cemetery in Kinderhook, N.Y.

Colorado Army Guard’s Drone Warfare Cell Reshapes Warfighting

Alaska National Guard Leads Exercise ORCA 2025

National Guard Supports Army’s 250th Birthday Celebration

North Carolina Guard Flies into Army’s 250th Birthday Celebration

Washington Air Guard Supports Seward Military Resort Renovation