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New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa
April 30, 2024
African Lion provides an opportunity to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative readiness training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands, including U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Central Command, and strategic maritime choke points and global shipping lanes.
National Guard-led Space Exercise Helps Build Programs for NATO Partners
April 8, 2024
Air Force Staff Sgt. Javin Delgado, an electronic warfare specialist with the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Wing, prepares to calibrate electronic warfare equipment as Senior Airman Oscar Mendoza, a space systems operator with the 148th Space Operations Squadron, looks on during Vulcan Guard Bolt 6, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, March 27, 2024. Though not part of the mission planning portion of the space-focused exercise, Delgado and Mendoza showcased EW assets to Vulcan Guard participants and distinguished visitors.
Army National Guard Soldiers Train in Funeral Honors Program
March 20, 2024
The Virginia Army National Guard Funeral Honors Program hosts 11 Army National Guard Soldiers from nine states and territories for a level 2 funeral honors training course March 5, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Soldiers from Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Wisconsin participated in the two week-long training, which certifies instructors to teach fellow Soldiers the skills, procedures and standards for providing final respects to military veterans.
Illinois National Guard Honors Former Guardsman Abe Lincoln
February 15, 2024
Brig. Gen. Mark Alessia, Illinois National Guard, salutes after placing a wreath at the tomb of former President Abraham Lincoln on behalf of the president of the United States Feb. 12, 2024, as part of the 90th annual American Legion Pilgrimage to Lincoln’s Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois.
Maryland Air Guard, Estonian Partners Focus on Cyber Defense
October 18, 2023
The Maryland Air National Guard partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command to host exercise Baltic Blitz 23 Sept. 17-20, 2023, at Ämari Air Base, Harijumaa, Estonia. About 30 Airmen from the 175th Wing, two soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard, 12 service members from Poland, and 30 Estonians participated in the cyber exercise.
Massachusetts Guard Attends Planning Conference in Israel
September 25, 2023
Members of the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, attended the National Guard Bureau-Home Front Command annual planning conference at HFC Headquarters in Ramla, Israel, July 22-28, 2023.
Maryland Guard, Estonian Partners Focus on Cyber Defense
September 21, 2023
The Maryland Air National Guard partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command to host exercise Baltic Blitz 23 from Sept. 17-20, 2023, at Ämari Air Base, Harijumaa, Estonia. About 30 Airmen from the 175th Wing, two Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers, 12 service members from Poland, and 30 Estonians participated in the exercise to secure simulated rail transportation systems from cyber attacks.
Guard Recruiters Optimistic Amid Private Sector Competition
June 26, 2023
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, director of the Air National Guard, administers the oath of enlistment to Isaiah Rosario, a Hawaii ANG recruit, Nov. 5, 2022, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Rosario is the first member of his immediate family to serve in the military and will begin his career as a cryptologic language analyst.
Indiana Air Guard Supports Joint Homeland Defense Exercise
June 16, 2023
The Indiana National Guard Reaction Force, comprising defenders with the 181st Security Forces Squadron and military police with the Indiana Army National Guard, partnered with civilian law enforcement to respond to a simulated riot-based scenario during Homeland Defender 2023 at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Ind., June 10, 2023. The NGRF is composed of Soldiers and Airmen from National Guard units to provide a rapid response capability focused on incidents requiring law enforcement or security support.
New York's 105th Airlift Wing Plays Key Role in Air Defender
June 14, 2023
A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III flown by the 105th Airlift Wing, New York National Guard, prepares to taxi after dropping off cargo to be used for exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23) at Wunstorf Air Base, Wunstorf, Germany, June 2, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world.
Illinois Guard's ChalleNGe Academy Graduates 16,000th Cadet
June 12, 2023
Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy graduate Nickolas McCauley delivers the class summary during graduation ceremonies June 10, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. The Illinois National Guard program July 1993 on the former Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, has helped 16,000 struggling young men and women find a path to success.
Iowa, Minnesota Guardsmen Win Regional Best Warrior Title
May 8, 2023
Competitors begin the 12-mile ruck march at the Region IV Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center, Newton Falls, Ohio, May 7, 2023. Guard members from Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Illinois competed in land navigation, marksmanship, weapons skills, medical and radio skills and an appearance board, among other events.
Illinois Guard Soldiers Receive Polish Armed Forces Medal
March 27, 2023
Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Drew Weaver discusses the firing of the M-4 with Maj. Andrew Majcherek of the Polish Territorial Defense Force on the range at the Illinois Army National Guard's Marseilles Training Area. Weaver was one of four Illinois National Guard Soldiers awarded the bronze Polish Armed Forces Medal on March 25, 2023, for their work training Polish Territorial Defense Force Soldiers in Poland in May and June 2022.
Illinois Guard Diversity Leader Fosters Inclusive Culture
February 2, 2023
Capt. Anthony McClain, the Illinois National Guard director of diversity and inclusion, smiles for a portrait in front of the Illinois National Guard Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Ill., Dec. 29, 2022. McClain strives to help the Guard achieve a more inclusive organizational culture.
Illinois Guard Helps Make Sick Child’s Wish a Reality
December 19, 2022
Maj. Christopher Hanson, left, the operations officer of the 232nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and Capt. Jacob Brue, the battalion's training officer, carry flowers for June Peden-Stade along her parade route in Auburn, Illinois, Dec. 17, 2022. The Illinois National Guard joined hundreds of first responders and community groups from across the region to give 3-year-old June a parade.
Illinois Guard Hands off Africa Mission to Wisconsin Guard
November 16, 2022
A guidon bearer from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade holds the unit's colors during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 5, 2022.
National Guard Provides Critical Election Cybersecurity
November 7, 2022
Approximately 30 members of the Pennsylvania National Guard joined other state agencies at three locations Nov. 5, 2019, to ensure the security of the commonwealth’s general election. A team at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency focused on network monitoring, while teams at Fort Indiantown Gap (above) and Horsham Air Guard Station focused on social media reporting.
54th SFAB Completes Historic Honduras Deployment
October 3, 2022
Capt. Madison Bips, a member of the Georgia National Guard's 1st Battalion of the 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade, returns a salute from a member of the Honduran Armed Forces Sept. 8, 2022, near Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The 54th SFAB was deployed to Honduras for six months in the first National Guard deployment of its kind.
Illinois National Guard, Polish Partners Remember the Fallen
September 27, 2022
Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the adjutant general of Illinois and commander of the Illinois National Guard; Polish Gen. Cezary Wisniewski, deputy commander of the Polish Armed Forces, and Neely's spouse, Tammy, cheer on Gold Star 500 bicycle riders near North Chicago, Illinois, as they finish a 520-mile ride to raise awareness of the approximately 300 Illinois service members, including 34 in the Illinois National Guard, who have fallen since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Illinois and Poland are partners under the State Partnership Program.
Post Office to be Named After Fallen Illinois National Guardsman
June 21, 2022
Illinois Army National Guard Spc. Jeremy Ridlen of Paris, Illinois, was among approximately 170 Soldiers who deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in December 2003 with the 1544th Transportation Company. He was just 23 years old when he died from small-arms fire May 23, 2004.