State Partnership Program News - The National Guard

Category: News Features

Kentucky Guard Protects Kentucky Derby Trophy
May 7, 2026 — LOUISVILLE, Ky. – On the evening of May 2, the trophy felt heavier in Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller’s... MORE

Spc. Brendan Hays and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller of the 617th Military Police Company escort the winner's trophy onto the Paddock at the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 2026.

Vermont National Guard Conducts Key Leader Engagements With Senegal Partners Ahead of 2027 Medical Exercise
May 7, 2026 — THIÈS, Senegal – Vermont National Guard leaders conducted a pre-deployment site survey in Thiès,... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gene Enriquez, State Partnership Program director with the Vermont National Guard, greets Dr. Amadou Mbaye Diouf, chief physician, during a key leader engagement in Thiès, Senegal, May 4, 2026, to discuss regional healthcare priorities and inform planning for a 2027 medical readiness exercise.

New York Guard Welcomes Remains of WWII Airman Home
May 6, 2026 — LATHAM, N.Y. – When Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Joseph Burke came home to Troy, New York, on May 1 – 84... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the New York Army National Guard Honor Guard salute as the coffin containing the remains of Army Air Corps 2nd Lt. Joseph L. Burke are moved toward a hearse at Albany International Airport in Latham, New York, on May 1, 2026, during a dignified transfer of remains.

Hawaii, Philippine Aircrews Strengthen Partnership Through Flight
May 6, 2026 — CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – Beneath the steady rhythm of rotor blades and shared purpose, Hawaii... MORE

Philippine Air Force Sgt. Julius Chun Manasan, left, mechanic assigned to the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing; U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Christopher Pacheco, center left, senior mechanic and standardization instructor assigned to the Hawaii Army National Guard; Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. John Paul Delgado, center, commander of the 210th Tactical Training Squadron; and U.S. Army Maj. John Worthington, right, Army Aviation Support Facility commander, standardization pilot and instrument examiner assigned to the Hawaii Army National Guard, pose for a photo in front of a Philippine Air Force S-70i Black Hawk helicopter during a Rotary Wing Subject Matter Expert Exchange Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 15, 2026.

Washington Guard Leaders Engage Troops, Partners in Indo-Pacific Visit
May 4, 2026 — JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general of the Washington... MORE

Royal Thai Army Senior Colonel Teeragut Sengrod, commander of the 11th Infantry Division, Royal Thai Army, or RTA, meets with U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, at an RTA base in Chon Buri, Thailand, April 10, 2026.

Alabama Guard, Romanian Air Force Strengthen Partnership
May 4, 2026 — DANNELLY FIELD, Ala. – The Alabama National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing hosted Romanian Air Force... MORE

Romanian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Leonard Baraboi, left, and Col. John D. Caldwell, commander of the 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard, meet April 9, 2026, at Dannelly Field, Alabama.

Six WWII Soldier Names Added to Arkansas Guard Memorial
April 30, 2026 — CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The names of six World War II Soldiers have been... MORE

Arkansas Deptartment of the Military employee Kevin Shaffer installs a plaque April 29, 2026, that honors Pfc. James Reginato who was injured by enemy fire in Mignano, Italy, on Dec. 15, 1943.

Hawaiian Raptors Enhance Interoperability During Cope Thunder
April 29, 2026 — CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – For more than 90 Airmen from the 199th Air Expeditionary Squadron,... MORE

Philippine Air Force 5th Fighter Wing pilots welcome U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard pilots assigned to the 199th Air Expeditionary Squadron, comprising the 19th Fighter Squadron and 199th Fighter Squadron, following arrival at exercise Cope Thunder 26-1 at Basa Air Base, Philippines, April 3, 2026.

Religious Tradition, Family Inspire Military Child of the Year to Greater Heights
April 29, 2026 — WASHINGTON – At the most pivotal moment of her young life, then 13-year-old Lila Morgan clutched the... MORE

Lila Morgan, the daughter of 1st Lt. Larry Morgan, was named the 2026 Operation Homefront Military Child of the Year for the National Guard. Larry Morgan is a member of the Florida National Guard. Lila is a senior at the University of South Florida and plans to commission into the Army as a Judge Advocate General Corps officer.

WWI Connecticut Guard Dog Sgt. Stubby Honored with Statue
April 28, 2026 — HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut State Library unveiled a new statue of the famous World War I... MORE

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Maj. Gen. Francis J. Evon Jr., the adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, unveil a statue of Sgt. Stubby during a ceremony at the Connecticut State Library in Hartford, Connecticut, April 20, 2026.