Guard News - The National Guard - Category News Features

Military Medical Merit Inductee is 1st From Maine Guard
December 19, 2024 — BANGOR, Maine - A small group of Maine Army National Guard members and guests gathered at the Regional Training Institute Dec. 8 to witness Lt. Col. Joel Dunn become the first Maine National Guard... MORE

Left to Right: Col. Frederick Looper, commander of the Medical Readiness Unit, Maine Army National Guard; 1st Sgt. Jayme Saucier, first sergeant of the MRU; Lt. Col. Joel Dunn, deputy state surgeon, MEARNG; Col. George Horsley, state surgeon general, Massachusetts Army National Guard; as Dunn becomes the first person in the Maine Army National Guard to be inducted into the Order of Military Medical Merit Dec. 8, 2024 in Bangor, Maine. The order was founded by the commanding general of the U.S. Army Health Services Command in 1982 to recognize excellence and promote fellowship and esprit de corps among Army Medical Department personnel.

Guard Bureau Celebrates 388th Birthday with Fun Run and Ruck
December 18, 2024 — WASHINGTON - National Guard Soldiers and community members gathered at Fort Lesley J. McNair Dec. 13 to celebrate the National Guard’s 388th birthday at the annual National Guard Bureau Fun Run and... MORE

National Guard Soldiers and community members gathered at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington Dec. 13, 2024, to celebrate the National Guard’s 388th birthday at the annual National Guard Bureau Fun Run and Ruck.

Louisiana Guard Youth Challenge Program Marks 30 Years
December 18, 2024 — PINEVILLE, La. – Families and friends filled the sanctuary at the Pentecostals of Alexandria Church in Alexandria to watch 118 cadets graduate from the Louisiana National Guard’s Youth Challenge... MORE

Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program Cadet Myles Dean of West Monroe was recognized during the Class 2024-1 graduation ceremony at the Pentecostals of Alexandria Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, Dec. 14, 2024. Dean earned the class’s highest academic marks, including an ACT score of 32 out of 36, an ASVAB score of 93 out of 99, and a HiSET score of 98 out of 100.

Idaho Guardsman Balances Command in Idaho, Security at NASA
December 18, 2024 — BOISE, Idaho - Capt. Megan Mabey has flown over 20 times between Idaho and Texas to balance her duties with the Idaho National Guard and her role as a security specialist at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson... MORE

Capt. Megan Mabey, commander of D Company, 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion, poses for a a picture at NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, in late 2024. In addition to her duties as a member of the Idaho National Guard, Mabey works as a security specialist for NASA.

National Guard Bureau Civilian Receives DOD CIO Award
December 13, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - A National Guard Bureau information technology specialist received the 2024 Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Award at the Pentagon Dec. 3. The award recognizes... MORE

Shawn Achziger, center, an information technology specialist with the National Guard Bureau, with U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul Stanton, left, the director of the Defense Information Systems Agency, and Leslie Beavers, the acting chief information officer with the Department of Defense, after receiving a 2024 Department of Defense Chief Information Officer Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon Dec. 3, 2024. Achzinger was recognized for migrating the National Guard from the obsolete Joint Information Exchange Environment system to the updated Common Operating Picture system, used primarily during emergency response operations.

New York Airmen Honored for Saving Lives of 2 Wingmen
December 12, 2024 — STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. – Two Airmen from the New York Air National Guard’s 105th Airlift Wing were recognized for saving their fellow Airmen’s lives at a Dec. 8 ceremony.The 105th’s Top... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. Roman Jeter, Staff Sgt. Timothy Horton, Capt. Sinead Kirnan and Master Sgt. Jaron Brown, Airmen with the 105th Airlift Wing, pose for a photo following a Henry W. Windels Wingman Award ceremony at Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, New York, Dec. 8, 2024. Horton and Kirnan were recognized for saving the lives of Jeter and Brown.

South Carolina Guardsman Realizes Dream to Fly Helicopters
December 11, 2024 — COLUMBIA, S.C. - Seeing a military aircraft flying through the sky can make you feel a sense of awe. But for some, like Warrant Officer Alante Snell, it sparks something deeper — a calling.Snell grew... MORE

Warrant Officer Alante Snell serves his community in his civilian job as a state trooper and in the South Carolina Army National Guard as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot.

New York National Guardsmen Help Get Holiday Trees to Troops
December 3, 2024 — BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. – Seven New York Army National Guard Soldiers joined local veterans to load up 125 Christmas trees donated to military bases around the country at Ellms Tree Farm in Ballston Spa... MORE

New York Army National Guard Spc. Matt Clark lifts a donated Christmas tree from retired Command Sgt. Maj. Bob Van Pelt during the annual Trees for Troops loadout at Ellms Tree Farm in Ballston Spa, New York, Dec. 2, 2024. Tree farmers from New York’s capital and Saratoga regions donated 125 trees to be sent to military bases for the holidays.

Kansas National Guard Airman Recognized for Saving a Life
November 29, 2024 — TOPEKA, Kan. - One of the benefits of joining the Kansas National Guard is the skills learned may be useful in the civilian world. While Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ewing’s skills as a boom operator in a KC-135... MORE

On Sept. 26, 2024, Maj. Gen. Michael Venerdi, Kansas adjutant general, presented the Kansas Medal of Excellence to Tech. Sgt. Ryan Ewing for resuscitating a man at a Milwaukee hotel.

Alaska Guard’s Operation Santa Claus Brings Holiday Cheer
November 29, 2024 — CIRCLE, Alaska - Alaska Army and Air National Guard members and Salvation Army volunteers boarded a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Santa Claus Nov. 6 to deliver gifts to the remote village of Circle... MORE

Santa Claus smiles after arriving in Circle, Alaska, on board an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk to deliver gifts to children during Operation Santa Claus, Nov. 6, 2024. The Alaska National Guard's annual community outreach program has provided toys, backpacks and books to children in remote Alaskan communities since 1956.

Massachusetts Guard Recognized for Environmental Stewardship
November 26, 2024 — JOINT BASE CAPE COD, Mass. - Camp Edwards, the Massachusetts National Guard’s premier training site, has been recognized as the 2024 Northeast Region Military Conservation Partner by the U.S. Fish and... MORE

Jake McCumber, program manager, Massachusetts Army National Guard Natural Resources & Training Lands Program, highlights conservation achievements at Camp Edwards Training Site Nov. 22, 2024. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented his team with the 2024 Northeast Region Military Conservation Partner Award.

Ministry Dog Aids Michigan Army Guard Soldier Resiliency
November 25, 2024 — BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - Soldiers may have spotted a furry new face around the Michigan Army National Guard— a four-legged addition already making an impact. Penny, a small black Labrador, is no ordinary... MORE

Penny, a therapy dog with the Michigan Army National Guard, provides emotional support to Soldiers during training exercises and events at Fort Custer, November 2024. Penny works alongside Chaplain Adam Lavigne to foster resilience and well-being among service members.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Reflects on Oklahoma Guard Service
November 21, 2024 — OKLAHOMA CITY - Before serving nearly 40 years as the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby served in his first leadership position as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard.Anoatubby... MORE

Before serving nearly 40 years as the governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby served in his first leadership position as a member of the Oklahoma National Guard.

Puerto Rico Guard Recruiting Commander’s Daughter Enlists
November 13, 2024 — FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico – Maj. Cesar Irizarry, the new Puerto Rico Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion commander, welcomed his daughter into the PRARNG. Pfc. Irizarry Torres... MORE

Pfc. Anamaris Irizarry Torres, center, with her father, Maj. Cesar Irizarry, second from left; mother, Nydia Torres, second from right; Recruiting and Retention Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Ortiz, left; and Master Sgt. Leydanil Robles, right, Recruiting and Retention, A Company Operations NCO, following Irizarry's recruitment.

Mother, Daughter Enlist Together at 167th Airlift Wing
November 8, 2024 — MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - For military members, family extends beyond biological ties, bound by shared purpose, sacrifice and trust.But for one mother and daughter from Martinsburg, the love and loyalty to... MORE

Marybeth Cole and her daughter, Blair Hesen, march in formation with the 167th Airlift Wing Student Flight at the 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Nov. 2, 2024. The mother-daughter duo enlisted together and are members of the 167th Student Flight Program.

National Guard Senior Enlisted Advisor Looks to Next Generation
November 6, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Tony L. Whitehead didn’t think twice in August 2020 before accepting his appointment as the Guard’s senior... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau Tony L. Whitehead receives a traditional clap-out ceremony on his final day at the Pentagon Nov. 6, 2024.

Loved Ones Reflect on Resilience, Service as Puerto Rico Guardsmen Deploy
November 4, 2024 — CAROLINA, Puerto Rico — A quiet resolve filled the air near Muñiz Air Force Base on Nov. 3 as families gathered to say goodbye to members of the 755th Military Police Company, 125th Military Police... MORE

U.S. Sgt. Hassani Ribera assigned to the 113th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 101st Troop Command, and 1st Sgt. Jorge Ribera of the 755th Military Police Company, 92nd military Police Brigade, Puerto Rico Army National Guard, pose for a photo at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Nov. 3, 2024.

Virginia National Guard Launches STEM Program
October 29, 2024 — BLACKSTONE, Va. – The Virginia National Guard hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Oct. 20 for the Blackstone STARBASE Academy. STARBASE is a Department of Defense program that exposes young people to... MORE

Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, adjutant general of Virginia; retired Col. Everton Nevers, the Virginia Department of Military Affairs chief of staff; and Nikole Johnson, Blackstone STARBASE Academy director, break ground on the Blackstone STARBASE Academy Oct. 20, 2024, in Blackstone, Virginia. STARBASE is a Department of Defense program to expose youth to technological environments and positive civilian and military role models by providing 25 hours of hands-on instruction and activities in science, technology, engineering and math that meet or exceed national standards.

Nebraska Air Guard Honors WWII Pilot with Heritage Jet
October 17, 2024 — SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing brought history to life last month at the Central Coast AirFest, unveiling a KC-135R Stratotanker in a special heritage... MORE

Jim Kunkle, World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, at the Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Airport in Santa Maria, California, Sept. 21, 2024. The 155th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 has a heritage paint scheme honoring Kunkle, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for engaging 20 German aircraft and downing two of them.

Brothers in Arms: Bond Strengthened on 41st IBCT Deployment
October 9, 2024 — HOHENFELS, Germany – For Soldiers living abroad on deployment, family is usually a limited phone call and thousands of miles away. This is not the case for brothers 2nd Lt. Lincoln Miller and Spc... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Markian Miller, left, and 2nd Lt. Lincoln Miller pose for a photo during Kosovo Force training at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 29, 2024. Kosovo Force, also known as KFOR, includes 28 NATO allies and partner nations working together to provide safety and freedom of movement for the people of Kosovo.

Nordhaus Underscores National Guard’s Indispensable Role

Nevada Guard Unit Transitions to Mobile Infantry Battalion

Tennessee Guardsmen Provide Aid, Secure Evidence in Shooting

Wisconsin Guard Conducts Drone Training

Tennessee Guard Airmen Broaden Communication Skills