Guard News - The National Guard

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.

Swedish Soldiers Compete in NY Guard Competition
April 15, 2025 — CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, N.Y. — Two soldiers from the Swedish Armed Forces competed with New York Army National Guard troops during the 2025 Best Warrior Competition last week. Swedish Cpl. Simon... MORE

Swedish Army Corporal Simon Drie Runnander, receives an award from New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major Edwin Garris, to mark his participation in the New York National Guard Best Warrior Competition, during a dinner at the United States Military Academy at West Point on April 10, 2025.

Museum Opens Exhibit Commemorating U.S. and Latvian Military Partnership
April 14, 2025 — RIGA, Latvia — U.S. and Latvian service members, diplomats and other guests gathered last week at the Latvian War Museum’s opening of a new exhibit commemorating the 32-year history of the U.S.-Latvia... MORE

U.S. and Latvian service members listen as speakers address the audience during the opening of a new exhibit commemorating 32 years of U.S.-Latvian military partnership at the Latvian War Museum in Riga, Latvia, April 11, 2025.

Wisconsin Airmen Host Training for NATO Counterparts
April 11, 2025 — CAMP DOUGLAS, WIS. – Airmen assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 128th Air Control Squadron recently conducted airspace control training for members of four NATO partner nations.The training... MORE

U.S. Airmen assigned to the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 128th Air Control Squadron, fascilitate a training mission for airspace control and surveillance specialists from multiple NATO countries March 31, 2025, at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin.

Maryland National Guard Hosts International Visitor Leadership Program
November 4, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – The Maryland National Guard hosted more than 30 public officials, academics and security analysts from NATO member states and aspirant countries via the State Department's... MORE

Members of the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program pose for a photo with Maryland Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Janeen L. Birckhead, 31st adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard and an A-10 aircraft.

Wash. Guard, Thai Partners Prepare for the Unexpected During Disaster Relief Exchange
October 4, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – Members of the Washington Army National Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Washington Emergency Management Division hosted a Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Keith Kosik, Washington National Guard State Partnership Program director and Lt. Col. Joel Johnson, Washington bilateral affairs officer, Thailand, deliver an introduction to the Washington Military Department to members of the Royal Thai Army during a humanitarian aid and disaster relief subject matter expert exchange on Camp Murray, Wash., Sept. 24, 2024.

Iowa Air Guard’s 132nd Security Forces Squadron Conducts Annual Training in Hawaii

Wisconsin Air Guard’s 115th Fighter Wing Partners With UW Health for Medical Airmen Training

Connecticut Army Guard Partners With Coast Guard to Dislodge Beached Buoy

Minnesota Guard Among First to Field Army’s Newest M250 Automatic Rifle

Soldier’s Medal Awarded to Georgia Guardsman Who Pulled Driver From Burning SUV