Guard News - The National Guard

Exercise Arctic Connect Validates Communication Across Alaska
March 6, 2026 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – In a state where communities are separated by vast terrain, and severe weather can isolate regions without warning, resilient communications are essential... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Pau, an information technology specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, operates a high-frequency radio while participating in exercise Arctic Connect at the Alaska National Guard’s Joint Operations Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 3, 2026.

Arkansas Airmen Sharpen Information Warfare Skills During Exercise
March 6, 2026 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – Several Arkansas Guard Airmen from Ebbing Air National Guard Base’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group recently participated in The One True... MORE

In June 2021, an MQ-9 participated in the concept-to-theory Establish Fury Exercise at the 188th Wing, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

President Trump Awards Medal of Honor to Retired Guard Soldier
March 6, 2026 — WASHINGTON — In a White House ceremony on March 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson, U.S. Army, for his heroic actions on... MORE

President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson during a White House ceremony.

Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Strengthen Ties With Stryker Leader Exchange
March 10, 2026 — CHON BURI PROVINCE, Thailand – Six soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard partnered with members of the Royal Thai Army to conduct a Stryker Leader Course subject matter expert exchange Jan... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Mattern, 205th Regimental Training Institute, Washington Army National Guard discusses the rigging techniques of the Winch (Self) Recovery method with soldiers from the Royal Thai Army during a Stryker Leader Exchange on Feb. 2, 2026, in Chon Buri Province, Thailand.

Oklahoma Guard Wraps Up Fire Suppression Mission, Remains Ready
March 10, 2026 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard has wrapped up fire suppression operations after dry, windy conditions fueled wildfires throughout Oklahoma in February.The Guard’s response, which was... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard wildland firefighters conduct fire fighting operations near Talihinia, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2026.

North Carolina Airmen Demonstrate Combat Readiness
March 10, 2026 — NEW LONDON, N.C. – U.S. Airmen from the North Carolina Guard’s 145th Civil Engineer Squadron, or CES, participated in Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or BEEF, week 2026 at the Regional Training... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kateri T. Buser, 145th Civil Engineer Squadron, emergency management, dips a pH paper into the unknown liquid during Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or BEEF, week 2026 at the Regional Training Site, New London, N.C., Feb. 23-27, 2026.

DC Guard Activates Unique Brigade to Strengthen Security in Nation’s Capital
March 10, 2026 — WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia National Guard activated the 260th Special Purpose Brigade March 7 at the D.C. Armory, establishing the only brigade in the U.S. Army specifically designed to... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers stand in formation during the 260th Special Purpose Brigade activation ceremony at the D.C. National Guard Armory in the District of Columbia on March 7, 2026.

Kentucky National Guard ‘Ready for the Future,’ Army Guard Director Tells Leaders
March 11, 2026 — BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The director of the Army National Guard praised the Kentucky National Guard’s combat readiness, domestic response capabilities and international partnerships during remarks at the... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, shares his leadership philosophy with Kentucky Guardsmen at the 2026 National Guard Association of Kentucky conference at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 28, 2026.

Army Guard Medics Strengthen Kosovo Clinic with Lifesaving Training
March 11, 2026 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – National Guard Soldiers assigned to NATO’s Kosovo Force, or KFOR, Regional Command-East’s Task Force Medical, provided lifesaving training to local health providers at a... MORE

Florida Army National Sgt. Benford Rosenfeldt, a combat medic and platoon sergeant assigned to Kosovo Force, or KFOR, Regional Command-East’s Task Force Medical, leads hands‑on lifesaving training for local health clinic providers in Obilić, Kosovo, on Feb. 24, 2026.

Washington Guard Hosts Annual Tribal Police, Counterdrug Conference
March 13, 2026 — TUMWATER, Wash. – With a focus on increasing public safety and reducing the availability of illegal drugs in Washington Tribes, the Washington National Guard’s Counterdrug Program held its annual... MORE

Maj. Andriy Karpenko, UAS/C-UAS officer, Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, discusses different UAS, or unmanned aerial systems, operating systems with police officers at the 2026 Tribal Police Leadership & Counterdrug Conference March 10, 2026, at the Thurston County Readiness Center, Tumwater, Wash.

Oregon Guard Specialized Team Boosts Chemical Leak Preparedness
March 13, 2026 — PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard's 102nd CBRN, or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Defense Enhanced Response Force Package, also known as CERFP, participated in two recent... MORE

Clackamas and Gresham firefighters prepare to work in a contaminated zone by donning protective chemical suits during response procedures in an Air Monitoring Exercise on Feb. 26, 2026, in Clackamas, Oregon.

Arizona Guard Helicopter Battalion Hones Wildfire Response Skills
March 13, 2026 — PICACHO, Ariz. – Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, participated in helicopter bucket training and qualification at Picacho Stage Field, Ariz., hosted... MORE

Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, conduct helicopter bucket training and qualification in Picacho, Ariz., March 5, 2026.

National Guard Bureau Vice Chief Highlights Evolving Homeland Threats, Calls for Stronger Partnerships with States at NEMA Forum
March 14, 2026 — WASHINGTON – In a room filled with the nation's top emergency managers, Army Gen. Thomas Carden, vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, underscored the shifting landscape of homeland security during... MORE

National Guard Bureau Vice Chief Gen. Thomas Carden speaks to the National Emergency Management Association Mid-Winter Forum about nation state threats and role of emergency management March 13, 2026.

Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Honored at Deployment Ceremony
March 16, 2026 — HARRISBURG, Pa. – About 150 Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 131st Transportation Company, 228th Motor Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group were honored during a March... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the 131st Transportation Company, 228th Motor Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania National Guard are honored at a deployment ceremony at the Zembo Shrine, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 14, 2026

New York Guard Completes 38th Year of Operation Deep Freeze
March 16, 2026 — SCOTIA, N.Y. – The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing concluded its 38th year supporting American scientific research in Antarctica during the 2025–2026 Operation Deep Freeze season,... MORE

A LC-130 Hercules from the 109th Airlift Wing is loaded with cargo at Williams Field, Antarctica, Dec. 22, 2025.

New York Guard’s ‘Fighting 69th’ To Lead St. Patrick's Day Parade for 175th Time
March 16, 2026 — NEW YORK, N.Y. – Eight hundred Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment will once again lead the world's largest St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, when... MORE

Led by a piper, Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, known as the “Fighting 69th” stride along up Fifth Avenue on March 17, 2025, during the 2025 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Michigan Guard Battalion Certified for National Guard Response Force Mission
March 17, 2026 — GRAYLING, Mich. – Soldiers of the 246th Transportation Battalion, 272nd Regional Support Group, Michigan Army National Guard, successfully completed a multi-day validation exercise March 13,... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 246th Transportation Battalion, 272nd Regional Support Group, Michigan Army National Guard, conduct a National Guard Response Force validation exercise, March 12, 2026, at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, Mich.

Air National Guard Integrates New Communication Technology to Aid Rescue Missions
March 17, 2026 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air National Guard recently secured $22 million in federal funding to field a new satellite-based communications system designed to significantly improve response and coordination... MORE

An aircrew with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, performs a fly-by of the airfield in an HC-130J Combat King II during a training mission at Moffett Federal Airfield, California, Aug. 2, 2025.

Alaska Air National Guard Member Helps Save a Life
March 18, 2026 — FAIRBANKS, Alaska – What began as a father-daughter evening at an Armed Services YMCA Father-Daughter Gala quickly turned into a life-saving moment when an Alaska Air National Guard Airman used his... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. Anthony Lesle, 168th Logistics Readiness Squadron, 168th Transportation Flight, discusses vehicle maintenance statuses at the 168th Wing, ensuring fleet readiness in support of operations and winter conditions.

Texas National Guard Drone Teams Support Border Partners, Strengthen Guard Readiness
March 18, 2026 — BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A request from higher headquarters crackled over the radio of a Texas National Guard drone team: U.S. Border Patrol agents needed immediate aerial support.A nearby homeowner had... MORE

A U.S. Soldier with the Texas National Guard’s 640th Technology Integration Cell prepares a small unmanned aircraft system for launch during border security operations in the Rio Grande Valley near the southern border in Texas, Feb. 6, 2026.

Tennessee Guardsmen Begin Driver Training on New Infantry Squad Vehicles

Indiana Guard Innovation Accelerates Timeline for Combat Attack System

Tennessee Guardsmen Rescue Visitor in National Park

Connecticut Guard Officers Compete in Best Warrior Competition for the First Time

Florida Air Defense Battalion Trains With 82nd Airborne in First Minuteman Rotation