Guard News - The National Guard

WWII vet fires high-tech howitzer with Guard for first time
May 29, 2018 — FORT DRUM, N.Y. — A 93-year old who fired 258th Field Artillery guns at Nazi troops in World War II was on hand as the New York Army National Guard battalion's artillerymen fired the Army's latest... MORE

WWII veteran Charlie Brown, who served with the 258th Field Artillery, arrives on in the training site of Fort Drum, Watertown, N.Y., May 23, 2018. Brown was a guest of the 258 during their annual training, and would be pulling the lanyard on the first M777 howitzer to fire.

More nutrition to fuel Soldier lethality
May 29, 2018 — WASHINGTON - The pizza MRE is finally coming to Soldiers in the field and the chocolate Performance Readiness Bar will now be available to all basic combat trainees. In addition, New York cheesecake... MORE

The prototype Close Combat Assault Ration on display at the Pentagon May 24, 2018, includes a tart cherry nut bar, cheddar cheese bar, mocha desert bar, vacuum-dried strawberries and trail mix of fruit and nuts, among other items that were vacuum-microwave dried

Central New York mobilized troops at NYS Fairgrounds in WWI
May 22, 2018 — SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – New York's State Fairgrounds, some four miles outside of Syracuse, are 3,587 miles away from the trenches that cut across France during World War I, but in 1917 and 1918, the... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers stand on a typical company street at Camp Syracuse, N.Y., in 1918. The camp provided training to new recruits and National Guard Citizen-Soldiers in America’s mobilization for World War I. Camp Syracuse, located on a portion of the New York state fairgrounds, processed more than 40,000 Soldiers for the war effort.

Ky. National Guard provides a glimpse into Soldiers' lives
May 22, 2018 — GREENVILLE, Ky. – "How am I supposed to carry all of this? How do you open an MRE? We weren't told to bring knives or scissors. I've been yanked out of my comfort zone. I can't wait to eat a salad."... MORE

Kentucky National Guard ran 2018 Operation Immersion , a five-day training event held May 7-11, 2018, at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Kentucky. Operation Immersion is designed to expand the knowledge base and skills of professionals who support service members, families and veterans by giving them a dose of military boot camp.

La. National Guard identifies waste reducing strategies
May 17, 2018 — NEW ORLEANS – Over the last nine months, the Louisiana National Guard and the National Guard Bureau have worked together to implement the Lean Six Sigma program to reduce waste and increase readiness... MORE

Twenty-three Lean Six Sigma students from Louisiana, Florida and Georgia stand with their instructors and higher-ups after taking four week-long classes at Jackson Barracks in New Orleans. The Louisiana National Guard was the first state to implement LSS in its planning to reduce waste while generating savings and cost avoidance.

Soldier fulfills her aspirations during Iraq assignment
May 15, 2018 — TAJI MILITARY COMPLEX, Iraq – U.S. Army Sgt. Ann Kelnhofer was selected to hold a greater responsibility than she anticipated because her leadership saw immense potential in her abilities as a junior... MORE

U.S Army Sgt. Ann Kelnhofer, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, sits alongside a fellow service member to complete mission essential tasks and prepare for the next work day at Union III Forward Operating Base. Kelnhofer works as the Air Movement Coordinator and personnel terminal for areas of operations in Union III.

A tribute to military moms for Mother's Day
May 11, 2018 — FORT WORTH, Texas - Mother's Day is a holiday that is celebrated in one way or another in many countries around the world. On the second Sunday in May, Americans celebrate by giving their mothers... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Lisa Menken, a contract specialist with the 136th Mission Support Group, Texas Air National Guard, poses with her daughter Charrisa Menken April 29, 2018 in the 136th Airlift Wing Public Affairs studio at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas.

WWI hero Henry Johnson fought for his life with a bolo knife
May 9, 2018 — SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – He was 26 years old, 5-foot-4, weighed 130 pounds and came from Albany, New York. And on the night of May 15, 1918, Pvt. Henry Johnson, a member of the all-black 369th... MORE

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Henry Johnson, circa 1919. Johnson was part of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the Hellfighters from Harlem, who fought under French command in WWI as an all-black combat unit. Johnson received the French Croix de Guerre for his actions in defending his outpost and his comrade Needham Roberts on the night of May 15, 1918.

Rider offers reminders for Motorcycle Safety Month
May 8, 2018 — RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio - Beautiful spring weather was a long time coming this year in Ohio. In my area, April 13 was the first really perfect day for motorcycle enthusiasts. For... MORE

Obetz police respond to a fatal vehicle accident April 13, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. The collision occurred when the automobile made a left turn in front of the motorcyclist.

Eastern Civilian Marksmanship games underway in N.C.
May 4, 2018 — CAMP BUTNER, N.C. - The North Carolina National Guard's Camp Butner training center hosted the 2018 Eastern Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Games and Matches, April 26 to May 6. Camp Butner... MORE

Rodney Abbott adjusts the stock of his riffle into his shoulder during the 2018 Eastern Civilian Marksmanship Program Games and Matches, hosted by North Carolina National Guard's Camp Butner Training Center, in Stem, North Carolina, May 1, 2018. Camp Butner has been home to the Eastern Games for 12 years with 1,800 competitor entries for the 2018 competition.

Citizen-Warrior: Military, civilian experience enhances Soldier’s situational awareness
May 1, 2018 — ARLINGTON, Va. – An infantryman with the South Carolina Army National Guard’s C Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment takes the Warrior Ethos to heart.“We’re supporting the mission on the... MORE

As a watch analyst with the Department of Homeland Security in Arlington, Virginia, Stephen Caldwell monitors potential national threats that could pose harm to critical infrastructures.

National Guard's 'Military Child of the Year' is named
April 26, 2018 — ARLINGTON, Va. -- Actively seeking opportunities to help others is something that Aaron Hall, a 16-year-old Minarets High School junior from O'Neals, California, constantly strives to do. "Life is... MORE

Aaron Hall, the 2018 Operation Homefront National Guard military child of the year, stands during the National Anthem at a gala event held in Arlington, Va., April 19, 2018. Joining Aaron was Lt. Gen Daniel R. Hokanson, the 11th Vice Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Kansas National Guard fulfills ill teenager's wishes
April 25, 2018 — TOPEKA, Kansas - Seth Cummings, a junior from Topeka West High School, recently had the chance few of his age get to do: to pull the tail on a Paladin M10946 155mm Artillery System on March 24... MORE

Seth Cummings flies above Topeka, Kansas, aboard a Black Hawk helicopter from the 1st Battalion 108th Aviation Regiment as part of a Make-A-Wish foundation dream come true on March 30, 2018.

N.Y. Guard Soldiers survived U-boats, crowded ships in 1918
April 18, 2018 — SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - As April 1918 became May, the 27,000 Soldiers of the New York National Guard's 27th Division left Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, and boarded trains and ships heading for... MORE

Soldiers of the 105th Field Artillery on board the troopship Mercury in Newport News, Virginia, in May 1918 as the 27th Division, the New York National Guard's division, leaves the United States for France in World War I. This photograph appeared in Maj. Gen. John F O'Ryan's book, "The Story of the 27th Division."

W. Va. Guard’s Patriot Guardens program taking root
April 18, 2018 — CHARLESTON, W. Va. - A new project taking root in the Kanawha Valley is aiming to help small farmers and veterans in West Virginia grow and then market carrots to restaurants and other local... MORE

Participants are receiving supplies from West Virginia State University Extension Service for those of the West Virginia National Guard's Patriot Guardens educational program. Each participant receives seeds, a 3x8 raised bed and 2 bales of Pro Mix Soil to get started. The participants then purchase additional soil and compost to add to the raised bed as their contribution.

Husband-wife team are First Sergeants in 189th Airlift Wing
April 17, 2018 — ARLINGTON, Va. – It's not uncommon for spouses to serve in the military together, but two members of the Arkansas Air National Guard's 189th Airlift Wing are believed to be the first spouses to serve... MORE

Air Force Master Sgts. Herbert “Glen” Bates, left, and Stephanie Bates are the first spouses to serve concurrently as first sergeants in the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing.

Massachusetts Guardsman comes full circle on Marathon Monday
April 13, 2018 — HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Just before 3 p.m. on April 15, 2013, two bombs exploded on Boylston Street in Boston ripping through a crowd that had gathered at the finish line of the city’s annual... MORE

Army 1st Lt. Joe Fortini, an explosive ordinance qualified officer, suits up in full protective gear April 11, 2018 at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts.

Right time, right place: Wash. Guardsmen save child's life
April 12, 2018 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - A child in the North Bend area was on the verge of death when a Washington National Guard medic and her team spotted the girl in the back of a sport utility vehicle and quickly... MORE

Washington Guard members save child's life

S.D. National Guard celebrates Month of the Military Child
April 11, 2018 — SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The South Dakota National Guard Child and Youth Program held a Princess and Super Hero Day Camp April 7 at the National Guard Armory in Sioux Falls. The event is part of... MORE

Meet the unsung budget analyst in a W.Va. Air Guard unit
April 10, 2018 — MARTINSBURG, W. Va. - Do you ever wonder how your travel voucher pays out? Do you ever wonder how days get loaded in the orders system? How about when you look into Defense Travel System (DTS) and you... MORE

A look at an unsung budget analyst in West Virginia Air Guard

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