Guard News - The National Guard

Nebraska, Guam Guards Partner with Marshall Islands
November 18, 2025 — LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced Nov. 17 that the Nebraska National Guard, alongside the Guam National Guard, has been selected to partner with the Republic of the Marshall Islands... MORE

Nebraska and Guam National Guards partner with the Republic of the Marshall Islands through the Department of War National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program.

Philippine, University of Guam Cadets Train Together
November 18, 2025 — MANGILAO, Guam – Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or ROTC, cadets recently conducted training with University of Guam ROTC cadets under the... MORE

Philippine Reserve Officers' Training Corps, or ROTC, cadets conduct bounding overwatch with University of Guam ROTC cadets at the University of Guam campus, Nov. 14, 2025, under the Department of War National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program.

Montana Guard, Sri Lanka Armed Forces Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Partnership
November 17, 2025 — COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The United States and Sri Lanka have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, formalizing the defense partnership between the Montana National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard... MORE

U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung, Brigadier General Trenton Gibson, Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard, Deputy Minister of Defense Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Secretary of Defense of Sri Lanka Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Colombo formalizing the U.S.–Sri Lanka defense partnership under the Department of War’s State Partnership Program on November 14, 2025.

Pennsylvania National Guard Strengthens Cyber Defense at Home and Abroad
November 14, 2025 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. — The Pennsylvania National Guard is strengthening its cyber defense posture through increased coordination across Army and Air Guard teams and deepening cooperation with its... MORE

Lithuanian Vice Minister of Defense, Mr. Margiris Abukevičius, his advisor, Mr. Tadas Sakunas, Ms. Monika Koroliovienė, Defense Counselor, Embassy of Lithuania, visited the Pa. Guard’s Cyber Defense branch, led by Maj. Christine Pierce, Oct. 28 at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Washington Guard Hosts Disaster Response Training with Malaysian Partners
November 14, 2025 — SPOKANE, Wash. - The Washington National Guard hosted Malaysia's Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, or SMART, this fall for a domestic response workshop that marked the first... MORE

A member of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) tosses a water rescue throw bag to a swimmer during swift water rescue training in Spokane, Wash., Sept. 28, 2025.

Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
September 30, 2025 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard... MORE

Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025.

25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
September 30, 2025 — CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a... MORE

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025.

National Guard, Nordic Partnerships Bolster European Defenses
September 29, 2025 — OSLO, Norway — The National Guard Bureau’s top leaders traveled to Finland, Sweden and Norway last week as part of a series of visits to Northern European countries to strengthen the Guard’s security... MORE

U.S. Air Force Gen. Steve S. Nordhaus, center right, chief, National Guard Bureau, shakes hands with a member of the Swedish Armed Forces during a static presentation of Swedish naval capabilities in Stockholm, Sweden, Sep. 16, 2025.

West Virginia Guard, Qatar Military Leaders Elevate Partnership
September 26, 2025 — DOHA, Qatar - West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General James “Jim” Seward traveled to Doha, Qatar, this week to meet with Qatar Armed Forces counterparts as part of a series of key leader... MORE

At the invitation of Qatar Emiri Land Force Commander Maj. Gen. Jassim Al Attiya, West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James “Jim” Seward visits QELF headquarters in Doha, Qatar, Sept. 17, 2025.

Lithuanian Defense Delegation Visits Pennsylvania Guard Drone Facility
September 25, 2025 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – A delegation of more than 20 Lithuanian defense, diplomatic and business officials visited the Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or UAS, facility Sept. 23, as part of a five-day... MORE

A delegation of more than 20 Lithuanian defense, diplomatic and business officials visited the Unmanned Aircraft Systems facility at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Sept. 23, 2025, as part of a five-day mission in the United States.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Hosts State Partnership Program Senior Leader Forum
September 22, 2025 — CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosted the 2025 State Partnership Program Senior Leader Forum at its headquarters Sept. 15-19.U.S. Air Force Major General Joel Carey, chief of... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joel Carey, chief of staff for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins the 2025 State Partnership Program Senior Leader Forum for a group photo at USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Sept. 19, 2025. SPP is a Department of War security cooperation program managed by the Chief of the National Guard Bureau and executed by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, directing the National Guard of the States and Territories to maintain 17 partnerships with nine states and one territory, supported by 12 Guardsmen serving as bilateral affairs officers in regional embassies. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Austin Riel)

New Jersey Guard Pilots SPP Equipment Transfer to Generate Cost Savings
September 19, 2025 — LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – New Jersey National Guard members recently supported a key Defense Security Cooperation Agency and National Guard Bureau initiative in coordination with the state’s longtime... MORE

Members of the Albanian Armed Forces receive military equipment from Airmen and Soldiers of the New Jersey National Guard in Tirana, Republic of Albania, September 14, 2025, as part of a key Defense Security Cooperation Agency and National Guard Bureau initiative to use Air National Guard flights for transport of Building Partner Capacity materials to State Partnership Program participants.

Hawaii Guard Strengthens Ties with Indonesia During Super Garuda Shield 25
September 18, 2025 — PEARL CITY, Hawaii - The Hawaii National Guard played a key role in Super Garuda Shield 25, the largest bilateral exercise between Indonesia and the United States and one of the Indo-Pacific’s most... MORE

Joint and multilateral personnel pose for a group photo at a Staff Exercise during Super Garuda Shield 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept. 1, 2025.

Colorado Guard, Switzerland Become Partners in Program
September 15, 2025 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Swiss Confederation and Colorado National Guard have officially become state partners under the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program or SPP.A... MORE

Kentucky Guard, Ecuador Conduct Air Assault Training Exchange
September 12, 2025 — LATACUNGA, Ecuador - Members of the Kentucky National Guard took part in a four-day air assault training exchange with the Ecuadorian 9th Special Forces Brigade as part of the Department of War... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Mitchell Hagen teaches Ecuadorian servicemembers of the 9th Special Forces Brigade how to approximate the height of trees as part of a class on landing zone designation in Latacunga, Ecuador, Aug. 21, 2025.

New Hampshire Guard, El Salvador Celebrate 25th Anniversary of State Partnership Program
September 8, 2025 — NEWINGTON, N.H. - The New Hampshire National Guard and El Salvador celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, or SPP, Sept. 6 at Pease... MORE

From left, Col. Pablo Soriano, chief of the Salvadoran Air Force, presents NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities with a gift and plaque at the Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show on Sept. 6, 2025, at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington, N.H.

U.S., Saudi Arabia Strengthen Ties Through State Partnership Program
August 22, 2025 — RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expanded its strategic ties with the United States by formally joining the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, or... MORE

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, joins Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, chief of general staff, Saudi Arabian Armed Forces; Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Mancino, Oklahoma’s adjutant general; Army Brig. Gen. Lawrence Muennich, Indiana’s adjutant general, and senior enlisted leaders for a ceremony to formalize the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s entry into the 115-nation Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 21, 2025.

Airborne Operation Strengthens Colorado Guard, Jordan Partnership
June 4, 2025 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. – In a display of cooperation and capability, Soldiers from the Colorado Army National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces recently conducted a joint airborne operation in Watkins,... MORE

Paratroopers from the Colorado National Guard and the Jordanian Armed Forces stand together before the first joint Colorado-Jordan airborne Friendship Jump, Watkins, Colorado, April 23, 2025. Members parachuted from a CH-47 Chinook as part of an event to strengthen interoperability and deepen the partnership between the two forces.

Connecticut, Uruguay Celebrate 25th SPP Anniversary
June 2, 2025 — MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – This year marks the 25th anniversary of the National Guard State Partnership Program between the Connecticut National Guard and the Uruguayan Armed Forces, a milestone that... MORE

Leaders from the Connecticut National Guard were formally hosted by Uruguay’s Chief of Defense, General Rodolfo Pereyra, at Estado Mayor de la Defensa (ESMADE), which serves as as the advisory body to the Ministry of Defense, responsible for planning and coordinating activities across the Armed Forces.

Michigan-Sierra Leone Partnership Moves Ahead with Multidisciplinary Engagements
May 2, 2025 — FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – The partnership between the Michigan National Guard and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) took another step forward April 11-18 with three separate engagements... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Shane Mills, readiness non-commissioned officer for the 246th Transportation Battalion, Michigan National Guard, discusses U.S. Army fleet management documentation processes with vehicle drivers from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), April 17, 2025, at the RSLAF Joint Logistics Unit in the Murray Town district of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Alaska Army Guard Aircrew Conducts Medical Evacuation Amid Severe Weather

Air Force Selects Tennessee Guard Base as Preferred Location to Host Next-gen Pegasus

Washington Guard Hosts Summit Ahead of World Cup 2026

Alaska Guard Launches Critical Communication Method

National Guard Supports Disaster Response Through Assistance Compacts