Guard News - The National Guard

General Commissions Son Where He Commissioned Decades Earlier
December 18, 2023 — BOISE, Idaho - Brig. Gen. Ryan Robinson returned to the Idaho State Capitol Dec. 15 to administer the commissioning oath to the Idaho Army National Guard’s newest officer: his son, 2nd Lt. Benjamin... MORE

Brig. Gen. Ryan Robinson administers the oath of commissioning to his son, 2nd Lt. Benjamin Robinson, Dec. 15, 2023, at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. Robinson commissioned in the same location in May 1996.

Oregon Airman Shares His Journey to Success
December 14, 2023 — PORTLAND AIR GUARD STATION, Ore. – Shining a light on the diverse paths to happiness and success, it’s evident that college is not the route to professional success for Airman 1st Class Stephen... MORE

Airman 1st Class Stephen Warren, a firefighter with the 142nd Civil Engineer Squadron, poses next to a fire engine at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., November 5, 2023.

Couple Enlist Together in Wisconsin Air National Guard
December 8, 2023 — MADISON, Wis. - Husband and wife Steven Krueger and Paola Astudillo enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard 115th Fighter Wing in November, joining a wing that respects and promotes the bonds... MORE

Steven Krueger and Paola Astudillo, husband and wife, enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing during a joint enlistment ceremony at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin, Nov. 22, 2023. Krueger, a prior Army Reservist and 115th Fighter Wing Airman, joined his wife for her first oath of enlistment after which his father, retired U.S. Army Col. Roy Krueger, administered his son's third.

Kentucky Guardsman Completes Ranger School on First Go 
December 7, 2023 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – There are many leadership schools that service members can attend but few are more challenging than the U.S. Army Ranger School, where perfection is the standard, and nothing less is... MORE

Kentucky Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Dustin McKie-Miller's girlfriend, Army Capt. Carly Schroeder, puts the Ranger Tab patch on his arm after his graduation from Ranger School at Fort Moore, Georgia, Aug. 18, 2023. McKie-Miller aced every challenge of the Ranger training on his first attempt and finished the course in 62 days, the shortest time possible.

Alaska Guard Spreads Holiday Cheer to Remote Communities
December 6, 2023 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - For the 68th year, the Alaska National Guard's Operation Santa Claus is bringing the magic of the season to the remote communities of Fort Yukon, Golovin,... MORE

Santa and Mrs. Claus disembark from a C-17 Globemaster III and head to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to support Operation Santa Claus at Bethel, Alaska, Nov. 15, 2023. Operation Santa Claus is the AKNG’s yearly community outreach program that provides gifts and Christmas cheer to children in remote communities.

New York Army Guard Salutes Former President Van Buren
December 6, 2023 — KINDERHOOK, N.Y. - New York Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Michel Natali commemorated the 241st birthday of former President Martin Van Buren Dec. 5 by laying a wreath from the White House at the... MORE

New York Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Michel Natali and Command Sgt. Maj. Edwin Garris salute after placing a wreath from the White House marking the birthday of former President Martin Van Buren in Kinderhook, New York, Dec. 5, 2023. Natali presented a wreath from President Joseph Biden at the annual ceremony held at Van Buren’s gravesite in Kinderhook Reformed Cemetery.

First Lady Welcomes National Guard Families to White House
December 1, 2023 — WASHINGTON - For the second straight year, first lady Jill Biden welcomed National Guardsmen, spouses and children to the White House to discuss their challenges and how best to support them.The first... MORE

First lady Jill Biden welcomes National Guard senior leaders and family members for a roundtable discussion on support for National Guard children in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington Nov. 27, 2023. Attendees, including Guard children, and adjutants general, also joined the first lady’s presentation of the 2023 White House “Magic, Wonder & Joy” holiday theme and decorations.

Native Name Inspires Strength, Pride for Virginia Guardsman
November 28, 2023 — RICHMOND, Va. – First Lt. Gavin Steel traces his Native American heritage through his maternal and paternal grandmothers’ bloodlines. His maternal grandmother comes from the Eastern Band of Cherokee... MORE

Virginia National Guard 1st Lt. Gavin Steel, 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, shown in Fort Moore, Georgia, after he completed Ranger School in 2021. Steel traces his Native American heritage through his grandmothers.

Mechanics Help DC National Guard Maintain Readiness
November 20, 2023 — WASHINGTON - Pfc. Marques Downing thrives on a good challenge, problem-solving and constant change. He spent most of the past two years working in information technology, studying the latest computer... MORE

Dozens of wheeled vehicle mechanics keep tactical vehicles operational at the District of Columbia National Guard’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Oct. 21, 2023.

Lousiana Guard Soldier a Proud Native American
November 17, 2023 — PINEVILLE, La. – November is Native American and Alaskan Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge the rich and diverse cultures and histories of native Alaskans and Native Americans.Louisiana Army... MORE

Louisiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Phillips Jr., from Port Sulphur, Louisiana, is a proud Native American who has more than 21 years of service.

Native American Promoted to South Dakota Guard Sergeant Major
November 16, 2023 — RAPID CITY, S.D. – Elizabeth “Promise” Crawford was promoted to the rank of sergeant major in the South Dakota Army National Guard during a ceremony on Camp Rapid Nov. 9. “It gives me great pleasure... MORE

Elizabeth “Promise” Crawford was promoted to the rank of sergeant major in the South Dakota Army National Guard by Larry Wetsit during a ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Rapid, Rapid City, S.D., Nov. 9, 2023. She is the first female Native American sergeant major in the SDNG.

STARBASE: Enriching Lives Through STEM
November 8, 2023 — LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. – A transformative journey unfolds for the young minds that venture through the doors of STARBASE. From building award-winning rockets to programming their very own robotic... MORE

STARBASE students interact on the robotics table, exploring STEM concepts with tangible applications in Los Alamitos, California, Oct. 30, 2023. STARBASE is the Department of Defense’s premier youth outreach program and a beacon of enrichment for underserved, underrepresented and underestimated youth across the United States.

Father and Son Fly Pennsylvania Guard Black Hawk Together
November 6, 2023 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – A routine flight on Nov. 2 was much more than that for two Pennsylvania National Guard pilots, as it encapsulated a family’s unwavering commitment to service and a shared... MORE

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Zack Adams, left, and his father, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rich Adams, helicopter pilots with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, flew a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter together for the first time Nov. 2, 2023, in Pennsylvania. Rich is a 34-year veteran of Army aviation while Zack is a recent graduate of the U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing school.

California Guardsman a Proud Native American
November 2, 2023 — SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Native Americans have a long and proud history of military service in every major conflict for over 200 years. They have served at higher rates than any other ethnic group, with... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Orosco, 40th Infantry Division G1 human resources sergeant, poses for a portrait in recognition of Native American Heritage Month at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, Calif., Oct. 30, 2023.

Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier trains for the Olympics
October 27, 2023 — FORT CARSON, Colo. – There are more than 8,000 Citizen-Soldiers in the Oklahoma Army National Guard, but only one holds the title of Soldier-athlete: Spc. Dalton Duffield.Duffield, a horizontal... MORE

Spc. Dalton Duffield, an Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier, throws his competitor during a practice wrestling match at Fort Carson, Colorado, Aug. 8, 2023. Duffield is a member of the Oklahoma National Guard and a Greco-Roman wrestler pursuing his Olympic goals through the U.S. Army's World Class Athlete Program.

Maryland Intelligence Analyst Helps Team Win Skills Exercise
October 27, 2023 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A team predominately comprising members of the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Cyberspace Operations Group captured first place during a recent skills validation exercise hosted... MORE

Master Sgt. Benny Casalina, a network intelligence analyst assigned to the 135th Intelligence Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, at Martin State Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Md., Oct. 27, 2023.

Minnesota Guardsmen Put in the Miles on Marathon Team
October 25, 2023 — ST. PAUL, Minn. - “I really didn’t run until I joined the Army when I was 17,” said Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer St. Amand, a recruiter with the Minnesota National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention... MORE

Army Staff Sgt. Jennifer St. Amand and Sgt. 1st Class Adam Walton are members of the Minnesota National Guard Marathon Team. They also qualified for the National Guard's Marathon Team.

California National Guard Airman Rescues Injured Car Wreck Victim
October 16, 2023 — MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. - “Always ready, always there.” It’s a concept drilled into every member of the National Guard from the time they take the oath. The call to serve could come at... MORE

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Hyunsoo Kim rescued a driver trapped in his overturned vehicle Sept. 21, 2023, in Santa Clara, California.

Mother, Son Join Virginia Air Guard’s 192nd Wing Together
October 10, 2023 — HAMPTON, Va. - Two of the Virginia Air National Guard’s newest recruits are 17-year-old Emmanuel McClain and his mom, Tobye McMillian, who took the oath of enlistment from Col. Brock Lange, commander... MORE

Tobye McMillian and her son, Emmanuel McClain, take the oath of enlistment into the Virginia Air National Guard from Col. Brock Lange, commander of the Virginia ANG’s 192nd Wing, Sept. 18, 2023, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. McMillian, who is rejoining the military after an 18-year break in service, will serve in the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or RED HORSE. After completing Air Force Basic Military Training and technical school, McClain will serve with the Langley-based 192nd Maintenance Group.

Airman’s Hispanic Heritage Fuels Passionate Career
October 5, 2023 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - At 17 years old, Antonieta Jara embarked on a solo journey from Ecuador to the United States, bringing just two suitcases, a few memorized English phrases, and... MORE

1st Lt. Antonieta Jara, 154th Medical Group public health officer, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. At 17, Antonieta Jara embarked on a solo journey from Ecuador to the United States, where she became a commissioned officer after 14 years of uniformed service.

New York Guard Helps Floridians Recover from Hurricane

New Mexico National Guard Helps Rescue Flood Victims

From Ohio to Alaska, Airmen Unite for Space Intelligence

National Guard Bureau Hosts Cybersecurity Awareness Panel

Alaska Air Guard Conducts Communications Out Exercise