Guard News - The National Guard

Missouri Guard Airmen Play Critical Role in Iran Nuclear Strike Mission
June 27, 2025 — WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a major display of strategic airpower, the Missouri National Guard’s 131st Bomb Wing played a pivotal role in the U.S. military operation targeting three nuclear weapons... MORE

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit is prepared for operations ahead of Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, June 2025.

Missouri Guard Strengthens Ties with Panama Through Disaster Response Exchange
May 13, 2025 — PANAMA CITY - Six members of the Missouri National Guard and professionals from Panama shared expertise and best practices during a three-day expert exchange May 6-8.The Missouri National Guard's... MORE

Master Sgt. Chris Wertz, Missouri National Guard State Partnership Program NCO, speaks to members of the Panamanian National Police as 2nd Lt. Minor Perez, a MONG chaplain candidate, translates in Panama City, Panama, May 8, 2025.

Missouri National Guard Water Purification Team Supports TRADEWINDS 25
May 1, 2025 — TETERON BAY, Trinidad – Few resources are more critical than clean water for sustaining troops in the field. From cooking meals to maintaining hygiene, a steady supply of safe water is essential to... MORE

Sgt. Jessica Shields, a water purification specialist with the 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, checks the chlorine levels of the water meant for cooking and cleaning laundry during TRADEWINDS 25 exercise at Teteron Bay, Trinidad and Tobago, April 27, 2025.

Guard Defenders, Green Berets Prepare for Future Fight
December 16, 2024 — FORT KNOX, Ky. - Approximately 230 Airmen from more than 30 Air National Guard security forces units converged in Kentucky for Sage Eagle 25-1 — a recurring, battalion-sized, unconventional warfare... MORE

U.S. Air Force Security Forces Airmen with the Air National Guard and a U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (5SFG) (Airborne), transport a simulated patient of a mass casualty incident on a Humvee assigned to the 5SFG during training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Oct. 23, 2024. This training was a component of exercise Sage Eagle 25-1, a recurring, battalion-sized, unconventional warfare exercise that validates Special Forces’ ability to operate in uncertain environments while training and incorporating conventional forces into an evolving contested environment.

Virginia National Guard Winds Down Poland Mission
November 22, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. - Approximately 40 Soldiers assigned to the Virginia National Guard’s 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, returned to the United States Nov. 19... MORE

The Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion conducts a transfer of authority ceremony with the Georgia National Guard’s 110th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Nov. 6, 2024, in Zagan Palace in Zagan, Poland.

Stealth Bombers Land Precision Strike Against Houthi Militia
November 22, 2024 — BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, Louisiana - On Oct. 16, B-2 Spirit long-range bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage... MORE

A U.S. Air Force crew chief assigned to the 131st Maintenance Group marshals a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber on the flight line at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Feb. 1, 2024, Missouri Air National Guard Airmen work side-by-side with their regular Air Force counterparts to ensure B-2s are ready to fly at a moment’s notice.

New York, Alabama Soldiers are Army Guard’s Best Warriors
August 13, 2024 — ETHAN ALLEN FIRING RANGE, Vt. – Sgt. Peter Fillion, an infantryman with C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, and Staff Sgt. Kirtley Finnell, with the 20th... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines, the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, applauds after presenting trophies to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kirtley Finnell, center, a combat engineer with the 20th Special Forces Group, Alabama Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Sgt. Peter Fillion, an infantryman with C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, after they were named the 2024 Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year during a ceremony in Burlington, Vermont, Aug. 8, 2024.

NY Guard Soldier Designs Korea, Vietnam Commemorative Medals
August 12, 2024 — LATHAM, N.Y. - New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Lauren Hicks turned her love for art into state commemorative medals designed to honor New Yorkers’ service in the Korean and Vietnam wars.Hicks,... MORE

Staff Sgt. Lauren Hicks with her final sketches of the New York State Korean War Commemorative Medal, right, and the New York State Vietnam War Commemorative Medal.

Missouri Airmen, Soldiers Showcase Sharpshooting Skills
March 26, 2024 — NEOSHO, Mo. - Nine Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing earned the Schützenschnur, or German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge, during the adjutant general’s annual marksmanship competition at Camp... MORE

Missouri National Guard Airmen and Soldiers pose for a group photo during the 2024 adjutant general's annual TAG Match marksmanship competition at Camp Crowder, Neosho, Missouri. Nine Airmen from the 139th Airlift Wing earned the Schützenschnur, or German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge.

Massachusetts Guard Attends Planning Conference in Israel
September 25, 2023 — RAMLA, Israel - Members of the 102nd Intelligence Wing, Massachusetts Air National Guard, attended the National Guard Bureau-Home Front Command annual planning conference in Israel July 22-28.U.S. Air... MORE

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.

Hokanson: Panama a Global Crossroads, Key Security Cooperation Partner
September 19, 2023 — PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Republic of Panama is a bridge that connects the Americas. Its renowned canal is one of the most strategic waterways in the world. It also is a key security cooperation... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, left, chief, National Guard Bureau, meets with Panama Minister of Public Security Juan Manuel Pino Forero at the Ministry of Public Security, Panama City, Panama, Aug. 28, 2023. Panama and the Missouri National Guard have been paired in the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program since 1996.

35th Infantry Division Hosts 2023 Readiness Symposium
September 19, 2023 — LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The 35th Infantry Division hosted the first Division Readiness Symposium, welcoming a diverse array of Army National Guard units from several states to division headquarters Sept... MORE

The 35th Infantry Division hosted the First Annual Division Readiness Symposium Sept. 9-10, 2023, welcoming a diverse array of units from the Army National Guard in several states to Division Headquarters in Leavenworth, Kansas. The event aimed to enhance communication and understanding, ensuring operational, exercise and deployment readiness.

Missouri Guard Bomb Wing Leads Medical Training Exercise
July 11, 2023 — WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. - Airmen with the 131st Medical Group completed Operation Healthy Delta, an Innovative Readiness Training exercise for service members from across the Defense and Health... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Theresa Nguyen, assigned to the 131st Medical Group, Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, Missouri, tests a patient’s vision during Operation Healthy Delta Innovative Readiness Training Program at Anna, Illinois, June 11, 2023. The Department of Defense-sponsored program builds relationships with local communities by providing free medical, dental and vision services while leveraging the strength of joint forces.

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.

Family Serves Missouri National Guard Since the ’50s
November 8, 2022 — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Bigham family has served with the 139th Airlift Wing since 1953, when Jim Bigham joined the unit with his twin brother, Mort. Jim’s son would eventually join the unit and attain... MORE

From left: Tech. Sgt. Kacie McCullough, Staff Sgt. Braden Bigham, Chief Master Sgt. John Bigham, Capt. Justin Bigham, and Capt. Riley Coats at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, Oct. 20, 2022. All four of Chief Bigham’s children are serving at the 139th Airlift Wing, Missouri Air National Guard.

National Guard Supports Armed Forces of Ukraine
June 8, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Pinned down by a Russian tank and armed with only a failed anti-tank missile, a Ukrainian soldier recently turned to an unlikely source as the most effective weapon available — his... MORE

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, adjutant general of the California National Guard, and California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis watch a demonstration of tactical equipment during a visit to the California Air National Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California, Sept. 2, 2021. The California National Guard and Ukraine have been partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 1993.

Missouri National Guard, SPP Partner Panama Conduct SMEE
May 6, 2022 — PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Missouri National Guard recently traveled to Panama to participate in a State Partnership Program subject matter expert exchange with law enforcement and protection... MORE

Staff Sgt. William Rudd, 1175th Military Police Co., facilitates a presentation on taking DNA evidence with Staff Sgt. Jaymes Dooley (1139th MP Co.), serving as a demonstrator. The presentation was part of a crime scene investigation subject matter expert exchange between Missouri National Guard Soldiers and members of Panama's law enforcement and protection agencies. The Missouri National Guard has partnered with the country of Panama since 1996 under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

Off-duty Missouri Guard firefighter helps save a life
January 10, 2022 — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A routine trip to the gas station for off-duty firefighter Kimberly Rauch turned into a lifesaving rescue.Rauch has been a firefighter for the Missouri Air National Guard’s 139th... MORE

Firefighter Kimberly Rauch, with the 139th Fire Department, Missouri Air National Guard, in front of a fire truck at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Dec. 13, 2021. While off-duty, Rauch helped save a man trapped in a burning house.

111th Med Group hosts Advanced Trauma Life Support course
October 21, 2021 — HORSHAM, Pa. – More than a dozen Air National Guard members from six states learned the ABCs during a medical course hosted by the 111th Medical Group.Not the song to teach preschoolers the alphabet,... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Maj. Sammar Atassi, an internal medicine physician assigned to the 130th Medical Group headquartered at McLaughlin Air National Guard Base in Charleston, West Virginia, intubates an infant training mannequin during the Advanced Trauma Life Support course at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham, Pennsylvania, Sept. 28, 2021. Sixteen service members from nine ANG units in six states participated in the class, which was hosted by the 111th Medical Group.

National Guard neighbors help Louisiana rebuild after Ida
October 1, 2021 — NEW ORLEANS – Every military service member understands sacrifice and selfless service are part of the big picture before taking an oath to defend the United States. After Hurricane Ida ripped through... MORE

Mississippi National Guard 2nd Lt. Austin Riels, assigned to the 113th Military Police Company, 112th Military Police Battalion, waves vehicles through a traffic control point after Hurricane Ida, Grand Isle, Louisiana, Sept. 17, 2021.

Civic Leaders Fly With Alaska Air Guard During Red Flag Alaska 25-2

Washington Army Guard Trains in Water Bucket Operations

Alaska Army Guard Rescues Family Stranded on River During Storm

lowa Airmen Take Training to New Heights

West Virginia Guard Continues Flood Cleanup Efforts