National Guard > News

Oregon Guard Assists With Hagen Fire Response

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Sanders, a crew chief with G Company, 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation, watches as water releases from an HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter's bucket onto the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County, Oregon, Aug. 10, 2026. Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne.

Aug. 14, 2026 - PENDLETON, Ore. – Inside the cabin of an HH-60M Black Hawk, Staff Sgt. Kyle Sanders leans out over the open door, eyes locked on a water bucket swinging 100 feet below the aircraft. The pilots up front can’t see it, since...

Michigan Guard Proves Command and Control Capability at Northern Strike

U.S. Air Force members assigned to the 217th Air Component Operations Squadron collaborate in support of Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 4, 2026. Northern Strike is a reserve component training event that focuses on joint readiness training to build interoperability and strengthen partnerships between services. Photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Moriarty.

Aug. 14, 2026 - ALPENA, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard’s 110th Wing conducted an air component forward experiment during exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Aug 3-14, evaluating agile command...

Pennsylvania Guard Strengthens Partnership With Lithuania

From left, Staff Sgt. Adan Mancera, cybersecurity journeyman, 171st Air Refueling Wing; Senior Master Sgt. Robert Beveridge, warfighter communications superintendent, 171st Air Refueling Wing; and Maj. Aivaras Ramanauskar, chief of cyber operations, Lithuanian Cyber Command, pose for a photo at the Lithuanian Cyber Command in Vilnius July 14, 2026. Courtesy photo.

Aug. 14, 2026 - CORAOPOLIS, Pa. – A team from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing Communications Squadron traveled to Lithuania July 12-25, completing the unit’s fifth rotation supporting the Lithuanian Air Force’s...

National Guard Planning Course Prepares Military for Future Threats

National Guard service members participate in the National Guard Joint Planners Course on Aug. 6, 2026, at Camp Fogarty, Rhode Island. For five days, military and civilian planners learn how to integrate military, state, federal and civilian capabilities to develop whole-of-state solutions for domestic emergencies and homeland defense. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Terry Rajsombath.

Aug. 14, 2026 - CAMP FOGARTY, R.I. – A five-day planning course helps Soldiers, Airmen and interagency partners learn to build relationships and develop integrated plans that enable military and civilian organizations to respond as one,...

New York Guard Airmen Strengthen Capabilities in Unfamiliar Terrain

New York Air National Guardsmen assigned to 107th Security Forces squadron begin to set coordinates for their next checkpoint during a land navigation exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richarson, Alaska, July 16, 2026. The Airmen encountered dense brush and taller trees than those in western New York, providing a unfamiliar environment to navigate. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jeremy Zeames.

Aug. 14, 2026 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Security forces Airmen from the New York Air Guard’s 107th Attack Wing conducted land navigation and active shooter training July 13-19 in Alaska, strengthening their skills in...

Oregon Guard Supports Klamath County Wildfire Evacuations

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt Alexander Giden, 173rd Maintenance Group Aircraft Metals Technology Specialist, and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt Richard Chaffin, 173rd Maintenance Support Group, Aerospace Ground Equipment Helper, help an evacuee as the evacuee gathers belongings at Klamath Falls, Oregon, Aug. 11, 2026. The 173rd Fighter Wing responded to the need of the community during the Wrights Spring Fire. Photo by Airman First Class Zach Cook.

Aug. 14, 2026 - KINGSLEY FIELD, Ore. – Seventy-three Airmen from the Oregon National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing have been activated to support the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office with evacuation and wildfire prevention efforts in response to...

Colorado Guard Assists With Aspen Acres Fire

Members of the Colorado Army National Guard’s 220th Military Police Company support the Pueblo County Sheriff’s office, managing traffic control points for road closures and evacuated areas near the Aspen Acres Fire, Pueblo, Colorado, July 9, 2026. More than 80 service members were activated after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency and authorized the Colorado National Guard to mobilize in support of the fire response. At the time, the Aspen Acres Fire was the largest wildfire in the state, having burnt more than 100,000 acres. Photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh.

Aug. 13, 2026 - PUEBLO, Colo. – Destructive wildfires threatened Colorado communities during the summer of 2026, resulting in the activation of the Colorado Army National Guard to provide critical, targeted support on the ground.Following an...

Arkansas Guard Airmen Strengthen Readiness With Integration Training

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tessah Satterfield, an Arkansas National Guard 188th Intelligence Support Squadron aviation resource manager, recently deployed to Germany for a temporary duty, or TDY, assignment to provide support to the 693rd Wing at Ramstein Air Base. Because of the 693rd’s continuous rotation of personnel, this TDY proved beneficial to both the 188th and the 693rd by providing an opportunity to share expertise in a practical and classroom setting, assist in hands-on fiber architecture and maintenance operations and bolster mission readiness by providing critical deployment experience for the 188th and enhancing the skillset of both groups. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Patricia Teare.

Aug. 12, 2026 - EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – Seventeen Airmen from the Arkansas National Guard’s 188th Intelligence Support Squadron, or ISS, recently returned from their annual training at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, conducting...

Oklahoma Guard, Royal Brunei Open Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26

U.S. Army Col. Michael Scanlon, deputy chief of staff for operations, Oklahoma Army National Guard salutes the formation during the opening ceremony for Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26 at Tutong Camp near Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Aug. 11, 2026. Pahlawan Warrior is a bilateral exercise held biennially between U.S. Army Pacific and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces designed to enhance readiness, interoperability and the enduring partnership between the two nations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon.

Aug. 12, 2026 - TUTONG CAMP, Brunei – Oklahoma National Guard and Royal Brunei Land Force Soldiers marched together to the beat of drums during the Aug. 11 opening ceremony of Exercise Pahlawan Warrior 26, marking the start of the bilateral...

Utah Guard Supports Wildfire Response From Air

A Utah National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk collects water in a bucket from East Canyon Reservoir while aerial firefighting operations in support of the Rocky Canyon Fire in Morgan County, Utah, Aug. 9, 2026. Utah National Guard aviation crews are supporting local and government agencies as wildfires continue to impact communities across the state. Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris Aylstock.

Aug. 12, 2026 - DRAPER, Utah – Utah National Guard Soldiers are supporting wildfire response efforts across Utah, putting specialized aviation capabilities to work alongside local and government firefighting agencies as wildfires continue to...

Alaska Guard Rescues Pilot in Plane Crash

An Alaska National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60W Jolly Green II carrying 212th Rescue Squadron pararescuemen returns to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson after an Aug. 9, 2026, mission rescuing a pilot of a Cessna 185 that crashed near Trapper Joe Lake about 25 miles south of Anchorage. The rescue happened during the base’s Arctic Thunder Open House, and special coordination was made for the HH-60 to depart the open house’s Joint Force Demonstration. Photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon.

Aug. 12, 2026 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guardsmen from the 176th Wing rescued the pilot of a Cessna 185 crash Aug. 9 near Trapper Joe Lake, about 25 miles south of Anchorage.A 210th Rescue Squadron...

Air Guard Communications Units Train at Northern Strike

U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Seth Henning and Senior Airman Shylie Polodna, Missouri National Guard's 239th Combat Communications Squadron, build a radio frequency kit during Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 3, 2026. The kits provided secure network and communication capabilities for other units participating in the exercise. Photo by Senior Airman Samuel Al-Nimri.

Aug. 12, 2026 - ALPENA, Mich. – Air National Guard combat communications squadrons from multiple states and territories gathered in northern Michigan Aug. 1-15 to support Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training...

Washington Guard Provides Aerial Support on Sinlahekin Fire

Washington State Department of Natural Resources firefighters

Aug. 11, 2026 - WENATCHEE, Wash. – A Washington Army National Guard UH-72 Lakota took to the skies above the Sinlahekin Fire Aug. 9, giving firefighters a perspective they had never had before during a National Guard wildfire response: an...

North Carolina Guard, Botswana Forces Kick Off Southern Accord 2026

Members of the North Carolina National Guard and Botswana Defense Force render salutes during the playing of the U.S. and Botswana national anthems during an opening ceremony for Exercise Southern Accord 2026 at Gaborone Technical College in Gaborone, Botswana, August 10, 2026. The biennial exercise, running Aug. 10-15, 2026, supports U.S. Africa Command’s objectives of empowering willing and able African partners to lead efforts to degrade and disrupt illicit activities and malign actors in the region. Photo by Staff Sgt. Reanna Hartgrove.

Aug. 11, 2026 - GABORONE, Botswana – North Carolina National Guard and Botswana military personnel kicked off Exercise Southern Accord 2026 with an opening ceremony Aug. 10 at Gaborone Technical College, bringing together U.S. and Botswana...

North Carolina Guard Mobilizes in Support of Operation Spartan Shield

U.S. Army Col. Ben Wynn, commander of the 30th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, gives U.S. Army 1st Lt. Rebecca Benjamin, executive officer for the 230th Brigade Support Battalion, Augmentation Com., the North Carolina flag in Greensboro, North Carolina, Aug. 7, 2026. The 230th Brigade Support Battalion will be supporting U.S. CENTCOM's Operation Spartan Shield, a contingency operation in Southwest Asia and the Middle East. Photo by Lt. Col. Ellis Parks.

Aug. 11, 2026 - GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina National Guard’s 30th Mobile Brigade’s Combat Team’s 230th Brigade Support Battalion, Augmentation Company, recognized its mobilization to support U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, with a...

Washington Guard, Malaysia Partners Focus on Logistics Exchange

Sgt. Stavie Neel, petroleum supply specialist assigned to 181st Light Support Battalion, 81st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, Washington National Guard, talks with Royal Malaysian Air Force members during a Subject Matter Expert Exchange with a refueling team at Labuan Air Base, Malaysia, July 24-31, 2026. Courtesy photo.

Aug. 11, 2026 - CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Two Washington Army National Guard Soldiers traveled more than 7,000 miles this summer to share technical expertise with their Malaysian counterparts, strengthening one of the Washington National Guard's...

Guard Medical Leaders Boost Readiness

Army National Guard medical leaders participate in the pilot State Surgeon and Deputy State Surgeon Orientation Course hosted by the Personnel and Organizational Readiness Battalion at the National Guard Professional Education Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Aug. 4, 2026. The course brings medical leaders from across the states and territories together to share best practices, address medical readiness challenges and identify solutions that improve Soldier availability and combat readiness. Photo by Staff Sgt. Bryce Colvert.

Aug. 11, 2026 - NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A pilot course brought medical professionals and senior enlisted leaders from across the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia together at the Personnel and Organizational Readiness...

Oregon Guard Engineers Sharpen Deployment Skills

U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Maria Del Carmen Dominguez, right, an engineering assistant with the 142nd Civil Engineer Squadron, observes fellow civil engineers assembling a dynamic cone penetrometer during a Deployment for Training, or DFT, at Lajes Air Base, Portugal, June 23, 2026. The deployment provided the Oregon Air National Guard members with crucial hands-on training on specialized field equipment and software to enhance airfield planning capabilities and operational readiness. The training also reunited Dominguez with her former technical school instructor, allowing for direct active field mentorship and enhanced unit cohesion. Photo by Senior Airman Eduardo Figueroa Varela.

Aug. 11, 2026 - LAJES FIELD, Portugal – Members of the Oregon National Guard’s 142nd Civil Engineer Squadron sharpened their deployment skills during a recent Deployment for Training, or DFT, at Lajes Field, Portugal, designed to boost...

Kentucky Guard, Ecuador Strengthen Partnership With Medical Exchange

Lt. Col. Tim Ori, right, officer in charge of a Kentucky National Guard 123rd Medical Group Critical Care Air Transport Team, meets with members of the Ecuadorian Air Force during a five-day information exchange in Ecuador. The Kentucky Air National Guard has been partnered with Ecuador since 1996 through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program and helped stand up C-130 Hercules operations there when Ecuador acquired H-model aircraft in 2024. Courtesy photo.

Aug. 11, 2026 - LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group shared information about the unit’s Critical Care Air Transport Teams, or CCATT, during a mission to Ecuador, strengthening ties with...

West Virginia Guard Builds Readiness at Northern Strike

M109A6 Paladins operated by U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to C Battery, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment, West Virginia Army National Guard, prepare to conduct a nighttime live-fire mission during Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 6, 2026. The nighttime training challenged Soldiers to maintain proficiency and deliver responsive indirect fires under reduced visibility. Northern Strike is an Army-sponsored, multi-component, multinational exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability to fight and win. Northern Strike 26-2, Michigan's largest and longest joint readiness exercise, is held Aug. 1-15, 2026, at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center. This year's exercise features about 9,000 participants. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Shuemake.

Aug. 10, 2026 - GRAYLING, Mich. – The West Virginia Army National Guard built readiness and enhanced interoperability during Exercise Northern Strike 26-2, using Camp Grayling’s expansive training areas and complex exercise environment to...

Washington Guard Continues Statewide Wildfire Support

Washington National Guard members conduct wildland fire support operations to Washington Department of Natural Resources at the Little Giant Fire near Leavenworth, Wash., Aug. 8, 2026. U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Christopher Sequeira.

Aug. 10, 2026 - CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – As wildfires burn across the state, the Washington National Guard continues to provide aviation, hand crew and security support to communities and firefighters working to contain the fires. Since the...

Oregon Guard Strengthens Hazardous Response Capabilities

A U.S. Coast Guard boarding team member and an Oregon Air National Guardsman assigned to the Oregon National Guard's 102nd Civil Support Team use specialized equipment to search for a simulated radiological source aboard the Coast Guard Cutter David Duren during joint training in Astoria, Oregon, Aug. 5, 2026. The exercise strengthened maritime radiological detection and interagency response capabilities. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan.

Aug. 10, 2026 - CAMP RILEA, Ore. – Soldiers with the Oregon National Guard's 102nd Civil Support Team trained with members of the U.S. Coast Guard and Astoria Fire Department to strengthen partnerships and prepare for potential emergencies...

Montana Guard Modernizes With New Fuel Complex

Montana National Guard leaders and project leaders from MEB General Contractors Inc. and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cut a ribbon during a ceremony marking the opening of the new petroleum, oil and lubricants complex at the Montana Air National Guard Base in Great Falls, Montana, Aug. 7, 2026. The new complex modernizes fueling infrastructure for the 120th Airlift Wing and supports the wing’s planned transition to the C-130J Super Hercules. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Reid.

Aug. 10, 2026 - GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Montana National Guard marked another step toward the 120th Airlift Wing’s transition to the C-130J Super Hercules Aug. 7 with the opening of a new petroleum, oil and lubricants, or POL, complex,...

Idaho Guard Modernizes, Transitions to Mobile Infantry Brigade

The Idaho National Guard's 1st Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, a mobile infantry battalion, was activated July 30, 2026, in Lewiston, where it is headquartered. Photo by Mike Freeman.

Aug. 10, 2026 - BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team has completed one of its largest transitions, reorganizing from an armored brigade to a mobile infantry brigade to modernize its force and...

Oregon Guard Supports Grasshopper Wildfire Response

Giovanni Carranza, a crew boss with the California Smokejumpers, briefs Oregon Air National Guard hand crew members on their assignment for the day using a fire map at the Grasshopper Fire camp near Tygh Valley, Oregon, Aug. 9, 2026.
Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne.

Aug. 10, 2026 - TYGH VALLEY, Ore. – Oregon Air National Guard hand crews moved into their second day of wildland firefighting operations Aug. 9, shifting from structure protection to mop-up, monitoring and patrol of existing containment...