Guard News - The National Guard

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.

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.

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.

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.

New York Air Guard Woman Powerlifts to Success
October 5, 2023 — SCOTIA, N.Y. - New York Air National Guard Master Sgt. Sarah Chambers wasn’t in it for the recognition or to set records when she decided to try powerlifting.“My personal life wasn’t going as planned... MORE

Master Sgt. Sarah Chambers, a member of the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, competes at the United States Powerlifting Association 2023 Drug Tested National Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, July 10, 2023.

New York Guard Soldier Serves Soldiers, Students
October 2, 2023 — MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE AIR BASE, Romania – A Soldier stands in formation during Army National Guard drill weekend, prepared to use his military skills and training.At 8 a.m., a school counselor... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Sean Q. Spooner, a New York National Guardsman assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, third from left, poses for a photo with teachers from the Targusor School during a volunteering event in Targusor, Romania, Sept. 6, 2023. The Soldiers assigned to Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, Romania, volunteered for the event as part of the U.S. commitment to enhance relationships with partner countries and allies.

Hawaii Guard Imagery Analyst Named PACAF Award Winner
September 28, 2023 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - A Hawaii Air National Guard Airman won a Pacific Air Force-level award Sept. 22 for his exceptional contributions to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Cory Haines, 613th Air Operations Center imagery analyst, in front of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Air Operations Center in Hawaii Aug. 29., 2023. Haines is the Pacific Air Forces 2023 Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Awards Program winner for Outstanding ARC ISR Airman of the Year.

Colorado Guard Soldier Serves for Family, Community, Citizenship
September 27, 2023 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Army Sgt. Chau Do was born in Vietnam and came to the United States with his family in 1998 when he was 9 years old. He could not speak English, but the public school... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Chau Do, Colorado Army National Guard, was born in Vietnam and came to the United States with his family in 1998 when he was 9 years old.

National Guard Airmen Participate in World Record Event
September 26, 2023 — LINCOLN, Neb. – A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the Nebraska National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing and three F-16 Fighting Falcons from the South Dakota National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing flew... MORE

A KC-135R Stratotanker assigned to the 155th Air Refueling Wing along with an F-16 from the 114th Fighter Wing fly over over Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska, Aug. 30, 2023, for a University of Nebraska volleyball game. The flyover celebrated Volleyball Day in Nebraska, where 92,003 fans became the largest crowd in the world to witness a women’s sporting event.

Puerto Rico Guard Youth Program Develops Future Leaders
September 21, 2023 — PONCE, Puerto Rico - More than 220 cadets with the Puerto Rico Youth ChalleNGe Academy graduated from the 22-week educational program with their high school diplomas and certificates in vocational or... MORE

Cadets with the Puerto Rico National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy celebrate their graduation at Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico, Sept. 15, 2023. More than 220 cadets received their high school diplomas after completing a 22-week program.

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