Guard News - The National Guard

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.

148th Fighter Wing EOD Flight Hosts Validation Course
October 11, 2023 — CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - The 148th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight created and hosted an advanced conventional course for 30 technicians at the Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley... MORE

Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians from across the Air National Guard, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Navy and Wisconsin National Guard state partners from Papua New Guinea conduct lodged projectile training at Camp Ripley Training Center, Minnesota, Sept. 21, 2023. The Advanced EOD Conventional Course provided experience, validation and confidence in using EOD tools and procedures.

Vermont Guard Partner North Macedonia Hosts Adriatic Conference
October 5, 2023 — SKOPJE, North Macedonia – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, Vermont adjutant general, and leaders from other U.S. states joined their partner nation chiefs of defense for the 26th U.S.-Adriatic Charter... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, listens to a speaker during the 26th U.S.-Adriatic Charter Chiefs of Defense Conference in Skopje, North Macedonia, Sept. 27, 2023. The conference included Balkan region military leaders, representatives, and their National Guard state partners.

Guard Soldiers, Airmen Compete for All Guard Marathon Team
May 9, 2023 — LINCOLN, Neb. - More than 200 Airmen and Soldiers representing the National Guard from all 50 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia ran the 46th annual Lincoln Marathon May 7,... MORE

National Guard athletes race in the 46th annual Lincoln Marathon, which also serves as the National Guard Marathon Team time trials, held May 7, 2023, in Lincoln, Nebraska. More than 200 National Guard Airmen and Soldiers from across the country competed for spots on the All Guard Marathon Team.

Iowa, Minnesota Guardsmen Win Regional Best Warrior Title
May 8, 2023 — NEWTON FALLS, OHIO – Soldiers from across the Midwest and from Hungary and the Republic of Serbia tested their mental and physical fortitude in the five-day regional Best Warrior Competition at Camp... MORE

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.

Hokanson: State Partnership Program Stable, Steadfast and Growing
April 21, 2023 — DENVER – The Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program — built on enduring relationships, common interests and trust — is stable, steadfast and growing, the Guard’s top... MORE

Lt. Gen. Bashkim Jashari, commander of the Kosovo Security Force, is briefed on unit operations by the commander of the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Iowa Army National Guard, during a tour of training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, May 19, 2022. Approximately 15 KSF troops embedded with companies in the 1-133rd Infantry during a two-week annual training exercise.

National Guard Honored for Environmental Programs
April 21, 2023 — WASHINGTON - A diverse group of individuals, teams and large and small installations competed for recognition in six installation categories and three individual/team categories in the Secretary of... MORE

Soldiers participate in bald eagle releases at Camp Ripley Training Center. The Minnesota Army National Guard Sustainability Team works with staff and units to instill sustainable practices within all operations, empowering all components of the organization to enhance environmental activities.

Croatia, Canada Join Minnesota Best Warrior Competition
April 6, 2023 — LITTLE FALLS, Minn. - Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Croatian and Canadian Armed Forces competed to find this year’s best Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier during Minnesota’s 2023 Best... MORE

Twenty Minnesota National Guard, four Croatian, and three Canadian Soldiers competed in Minnesota’s Best Warrior Competition March 29– April 1, 2023, at Camp Ripley near Little Falls, Minnesota. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers.

Minnesota Guardsmen Train in Canadian Arctic
March 30, 2023 — RESOLUTE BAY, Canada - Two members of the Minnesota Air National Guard’s 133rd Contingency Response Team (CRT) flew to Resolute Bay to train with the Canadian military on Arctic air operations... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cody Hallas, 133rd Contingency Response Team, builds an Igloo in Crystal City, Canada. Hallas attended a five-day field training exercise during the Canadian Air Operations Survival training course.

New Hampshire National Guard Revives Biathlon Program
March 10, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Four years ago, when Tom Echelberger, a former high school and college cross-country skier, was working in a New Hampshire ski shop, he never dreamed he would have a full-time job... MORE

Members of the New Hampshire National Guard’s biathlon team pose for a photo after winning third place in the 2023 Chief of the National Guard Bureau’s Biathlon Championships at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt., Feb. 22. From left, U.S. Army Spc. Jimmy Small, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Bryce Murdick, U.S. Army Spc. Tom Echelberger, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Parent, U.S. Army Maj. Rob Burnham, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Englehardt, U.S. Army Capt. Pamela Donley.

Minnesota, Norway Partner for 50th Troop Exchange
February 23, 2023 — TRØNDELAG, Norway - More than 100 Minnesota National Guard Airmen and Soldiers partnered with the Heimevernet, the Norwegian Home Guard, for two weeks of winter warfare training during the 50th... MORE

Minnesota National Guard members conduct winter training on Feb. 8, 2023, in a field training exercise in the Haltdalen woods, Norway, while participating in the 50th Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange. Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing and 133rd Airlift Wing traveled to Norway for two weeks of winter survival training and Nordic cultural experiences.

Norway Adds Top-tier Military Experience to State Partnership Program
February 21, 2023 — TRONDHEIM, Norway – Celebrating a half-century of training together last week, Norway and the Minnesota National Guard strengthened ties by formally pairing in the Department of Defense National Guard... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, talks with Norwegian troops during a visit to Norway for the signing of a Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program security cooperation agreement between Norway and the Minnesota National Guard, Brekstad, Orland, Norway, Feb. 16, 2023. This image was acquired using a cellular device.

Minnesota National Guard Signs State Partnership Program Agreement with Norway
February 15, 2023 — TRONDHEIM, Norway – The Minnesota National Guard signed an official State Partnership Program agreement with Norway Feb. 15 to further expand their 50-year relationship.“As a Minnesotan and a member... MORE

The Minnesota National Guard and Norway officially became partners under the State Partnership Program Feb. 15, 2023, at a signing ceremony in Trondheim, Norway. Signing the agreement were His Excellency U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Ambassador Marc Nathanson; Bjørn Arild Gram, Norwegian Minister of Defence; Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, chief of Defence of Norway; Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau; and Army Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard’s adjutant general.

Minnesota Guard Conducts 30th Year of Winter Training
February 3, 2023 — GRAND MARAIS, Minn. - At a remote camp in Northern Minnesota where it’s -18 degrees and winds make it feel like -33, Minnesota National Guard communications experts conduct extensive winter... MORE

Master Sgt. Christopher Olson, communications superintendent, 55th Civil Support Team, Minnesota National Guard, conducts maintenance on a dismounted strike kit as part of a winter training exercise in Northern Minnesota Jan. 30, 2023.

National Guard Leaders Join Multi-state Arctic Event
February 1, 2023 — CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - In the Arctic, steel becomes brittle at -22 degrees Fahrenheit, continuous connectivity at the bandwidth needed for modern military operations lags, and more than 80% of Alaska... MORE

Attendees of the National Guard Arctic Interest Council observe the 133rd Contingency Response Flight, Minnesota Air National Guard, operating in extreme cold during the NG-AIC’s quarterly meeting at the Camp Ripley Training Center Jan. 25, 2023. The NG-AIC is a collaboration among states with arctic interests, capabilities, and resources to address the rapidly changing arctic environment.

Hokanson: Army Guard Aviation is big, Widespread, Capable
January 26, 2023 — FORT RUCKER, Ala. – The National Guard’s top leader talked with Army aviators Tuesday about how the Guard has evolved over the past four decades and what the future holds.Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson,... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses Army National Guard aviation students at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Jan. 24, 2023. The Army Guard has aviation assets and facilities in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.

Louisiana Guard Tiger Brigade Tested in Warfighter Exercise
November 29, 2022 — PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana Army National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team sent more than 100 Soldiers to participate in Warfighter Exercise 23-2 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Oct. 25-Nov... MORE

Soldiers with the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team plan and review the unit’s movements during Warfighter 23-2 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Nov. 8, 2022. The warfighter exercises provide virtual battlefield scenarios that test a unit’s staff and Soldiers’ ability to coordinate and communicate in functional skill areas such as command and control, movement and maneuver, intelligence, targeting processes, sustainment and protection.

Minnesota Guard Honors Returning MIA Korean War Veteran
November 28, 2022 — MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIRPORT – Near midnight on a small airport tarmac in Bismarck, North Dakota, family and tribal drums greeted the return of U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Melvin Little Bear, a Korean... MORE

Members of the Minnesota National Guard funeral honors team carry the casket of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Donald Duchene, a World War II service member killed in action in 1943, during a planeside honors ceremony Sept. 30, 2022. Since its inception in 2006, the Minnesota Military Funeral Honors team has conducted more than 55,000 funerals for veterans of all branches.

Minnesota National Guard Supports Iraq Air Base Operations
October 17, 2022 — AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq – In May, 21 Minnesota Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 347 Regional Support Group, Task Force Victory, arrived to support those stationed at Al Asad Air Base for... MORE

Minnesota Army National Guard Master Sgt. Lee Christopherson checks the power load on a ramp generator adjacent to the airfield at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 27, 2022. Christopherson is the Al Asad Air Base, Base Operating Support-Integrating logistics and mobility noncommissioned officer in charge with 347 Regional Support Group, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve,

Army Guard Makes it to Final Round of Army Best Squad Competition
October 11, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Five Army National Guard members were among four teams selected for the final round of the U.S. Army’s inaugural Best Squad Competition.The Best Squad Competition, formerly the U.S... MORE

The Army National Guard’s Best Squad competitors pose for a photo at Fort Benning, Georgia, before competing in the U.S. Army’s Best Squad Competition Sept. 29 to Oct. 10, 2022. From left: Sgt. Austin Manville, New York National Guard; Spc. Nathaniel Miska, Minnesota National Guard; Staff Sgt. Bryan Kummer, Nebraska National Guard; Sgt. Tyler Holloway, Wyoming National Guard, Spc. Wyatt Walls, Oregon National Guard.

Oregon Guard Helps Vietnam with Trauma Care Requirements

Arkansas Guardsmen Return from Southwest Asia Deployment

Wisconsin Guard Security Forces Conduct Augmentee Training

National Guard Members Showcase Innovation

175th Wing Fire Department Helps Rescue Man from Frigid Water