Guard News - The National Guard

North Dakota National Guard Celebrates 20-year Ghana Partnership
February 23, 2024 — ACCRA, Ghana – The North Dakota National Guard celebrated its 20-year partnership with Ghana in the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program Feb. 22.The partnership, the... MORE

From left, Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Binstock, North Dakota Army National Guard state command sergeant major; 2nd Lt. Denis Duku, 426th Signal Company; Maj. Gen. Al Dohrmann, adjutant general; Maj. Beth Simek, North Dakota bilateral affairs officer for Ghana; Lt. Col. Jarrod Simek, U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, and Lt. Col. Mark McEvers take a photo at the 20th-anniversary celebration of North Dakota and the Republic of Ghana's partnership in the State Partnership Program, Feb. 22, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. North Dakota and Ghana are one of 18 partnerships in Africa.

Mongolian Colonel Visits Arctic Security Center, Alaska Partners
February 22, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Col. T. Galbadrakh, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, visited the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies Feb. 14 in a... MORE

Randy Kee, director of the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, speaks with Col. T. Galbadrakh, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Mongolian Armed Forces, during a visit to the center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 14, 2024. Galbadrakh's visit, coordinated through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, underscores the program's evolution into a vital instrument for bolstering U.S. security cooperation on the global stage.

South Carolina Guard Comes to Aid of Partner Colombia
February 14, 2024 — COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard is assisting Colombia, its State Partnership Program partner, in dealing with dozens of wildfires. To help emergency responders battle as many as 30... MORE

The South Carolina National Guard helped its State Partnership Program partner, Colombia, respond to dozens of fires in the Bogota area in January 2024 by providing helicopter buckets used to drop water or retardant.

Virginia Airmen Conduct Engineer Exchange in Tajikistan
February 14, 2024 — DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, conducted an engineer exchange with... MORE

Virginia National Guard Airmen assigned to the Virginia Beach-based 203rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, 192nd Wing, conduct an engineer exchange with Republic of Tajikistan military and law enforcement personnel Jan. 22-26, 2024, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Kentucky Guard Hosts Ecuadorian Military for Leader Engagement
February 14, 2024 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – Senior Kentucky National Guard leaders welcomed military personnel from the Armed Forces of Ecuador in a State Partnership Program exchange Jan. 30-Feb. 1.Eight senior officials... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Haldane Lamberton speaks to the senior leaders from the Kentucky National Guard and the Armed Forces of Ecuador in Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 30, 2024. Over four days, the Ecuadorians visited multiple locations in Frankfort, participated in briefings with Kentucky Emergency Management, toured the capitol, and met Gov. Andy Beshear.

Nebraska Guardsman Honored for State Partnership in Rwanda
February 13, 2024 — LINCOLN, Neb. - Nebraska Army National Guard Maj. Jessica Pan is the Bilateral Affairs Officer of the Year for 2023, U.S. Africa Command announced.Bilateral affairs officers reside in a country and... MORE

Nebraska Army National Guard Maj. Jessica Pan poses with her husband and three children after her promotion ceremony to the rank of major, Feb. 22, 2023, at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. Pan was named as the U.S. Africa Command Bilateral Affairs Officer of the Year for 2023.

Army General Meets with National Guard Partner Benin
February 9, 2024 — VICENZA, Italy – The commanding general of the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) visited Benin Jan. 22-23 to strengthen relationships between the U.S. Army and the Benin... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), poses for a photo with Benin Chief of Army Staff, Brig. Gen. Abou Issa, in Cotonou, Benin, Jan. 22, 2024. Wasmund and Issa discussed defense cooperation and opportunities for additional partnerships between the U.S. Army and the Benin Armed Forces.

Serbian Military Visits Ohio Guard’s 121st Air Refueling Wing
February 9, 2024 — RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio – Five Serbian Military Medical Academy members visited the 121st Air Refueling Wing Feb. 4 as part of the National Guard State Partnership Program. The... MORE

Members of the Serbian Military Medical Academy tour a KC-135 Stratotanker during their visit to the 121st Air Refueling Wing at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2024. As part of the State Partnership Program, the Serbians also toured the 121st Medical Group, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Medical Center and Defense Supply Center Columbus.

Ecuadorian Military Leaders Visit Kentucky Air National Guard
February 2, 2024 — LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Key leaders from the Ecuadorian military met with Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard on Jan. 31 to tour the 123rd Airlift Wing and learn more about its missions.They also... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elija Lamastus, center right, a medic assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Medical Group Detachment 1, demonstrates the use of a combat application tourniquet to Ecuadorian Navy Adm. Jaime Patricio Vela Erazo, chief of staff of the Ecuadorian military, at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 31, 2024. Vela Erazo was one of several Ecuadorian military leaders who visited the Kentucky Air Guard to exchange information as part of the State Partnership Program.

Hokanson Explores National Guard Cooperation with Kingdom of Denmark
January 27, 2024 — COPENHAGEN – On the last leg of a four-country trip to strengthen security cooperation between the National Guard and European partners, the Guard’s senior-most officer talked with Danish Armed Forces... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, left, stands for a photo with Gen. Flemming Lentfer, the Danish Chief of Defense, at the Ministry of Defense, Copenhagen, Denmark, Jan. 23, 2024.

Hokanson Sees Nascent Austria-Vermont National Guard Partnership Expanding
January 24, 2024 — VIENNA, Austria – The Republic of Austria and Vermont share historical and cultural roots based on common values, economic collaboration, winter sports, mountaineering, and, more recently, security... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, speaks with Gen. Rudolf Striedinger, Austria’s chief of defense, and joint Austrian Armed Forces leaders at the Federal Ministry of Defence of Austria in Vienna Jan. 19, 2024. Austria and the Vermont National Guard are paired in the 100-nation Defense Department National Guard State Partnership Program.

Guard Chief Hokanson Talks Security Cooperation in Ireland
January 22, 2024 — DUBLIN – The National Guard’s top general met with Irish Defence Forces and government leaders last week to discuss the potential for security cooperation engagements between the Republic of Ireland... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, center, meets with Lt. Gen. Sean Clancy, the Irish Defense Forces chief of staff, Dublin, Ireland, Jan. 16, 2024.

New Hampshire Guard, Partner Cabo Verde Facilitate Book Exchange
January 22, 2024 — BOW, N.H. - New Hampshire National Guard members collected 33 boxes of donated books from Bow High School Jan. 17 to deliver as early as next month to Pedro Gomes High School in Cabo Verde.“They... MORE

Spc. Olivia Palmiter, international support specialist with Joint Force Headquarters, New Hampshire Army National Guard, helps load donated books into a cargo van Jan. 17, 2024, at Bow High School in Bow, New Hampshire. New Hampshire Guardsmen collected 33 boxes of donated books to be delivered to students at Pedro Gomes High School in Cabo Verde as early as next month.

NCO Development a Security Goal of DC Guard, Jamaica Partnership
January 17, 2024 — KINGSTON, Jamaica - District of Columbia National Guard members participated in an NCO career development exchange with the Jamaica Defence Force Dec. 12-14 at the Caribbean Military Academy in... MORE

Sgt. Maj. Esmeralda Vaquerano, right foreground, G-1 (personnel) sergeant major for the D.C. Army National Guard, tours the Caribbean Military Academy with a member of the Jamaica Defence Force during a State Partnership Program expert exchange Dec. 12-14, 2023, in Kingston, Jamaica.

Washington Guard, Thais Share Air Search and Rescue Tips
January 10, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation and a Tactical Air Control Party Airman from the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron shared knowledge with the... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chris Cuddington and Sgt. Richard Diaz, 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation, Washington National Guard, talk with Royal Thai Army Aviation members about aircraft hydraulics during a subject matter expert exchange in December 2023 in Lopburi, Kingdom of Thailand. The Washington National Guard and Thailand are partners in the State Partnership Program.

Virginia National Guard Conducts Medevac Exchange in Tajikistan
January 8, 2024 — DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Virginia National Guard Soldiers conducted a medical evacuation tactics exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 4-9 in support of the Department of Defense National Guard... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers conduct a medical evacuation tactics exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 4-9, 2023, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The training supported the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

107th Attack Wing Hosts Brazil for Space Development Workshop
December 18, 2023 — NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. - The New York Air National Guard’s 222nd Command and Control Squadron, charged with helping to control and monitor U.S. military satellites, hosted four... MORE

Delegates from the Brazilian Navy and Air Force brave the winter weather at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Dec. 6, 2023. Representatives spent the week learning from 222nd Command and Control Squadron members how to enhance and develop space operations.

Oregon Guard Helps Vietnam with Trauma Care Requirements
December 11, 2023 — SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard is helping its State Partnership program partner, Vietnam, develop the country's first International Trauma Life Support training chapter. The goal of ITLS is... MORE

Oregon Air National Guard Lt. Col. Chris Webb demonstrates airway management skills during an International Trauma Life Support course in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in February 2023. The Oregon National Guard and Vietnam are partners through the State Partnership Program.

Arkansas Air Guard Medics Provide Free Medical Care in Guatemala
December 5, 2023 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Thirty-six Arkansas National Guardsmen from the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard base in Fort Smith and the 189th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base in... MORE

Arkansas National Guardsmen from the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard base in Fort Smith and the 189th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville departed Dec. 1 for a seven-day mission providing free medical care in Guatemala City.

New York Guardsmen Conclude Southern Vanguard 24 in Brazil
December 4, 2023 — MACAPA, Brazil - Forty-four New York National Guard Soldiers, working alongside active-duty Army and Brazilian Army Soldiers, conducted three weeks of training in Northern Brazil Nov. 1-16.Exercise... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers stand at attention during a promotion ceremony in Macapa, Brazil, Nov. 16, 2023. Forty-four New York National Guard Soldiers working alongside active-duty Army and Brazilian Army Soldiers conducted three weeks of training in Northern Brazil Nov. 1-16.

Guard, Reserve and Navy Test Helicopter Countermeasures Over Water

Georgia Guard Trains to Bolster Domestic Response Capabilities

Nordhaus, Raines: National Guard Delivers Outsized Impact at Home, Abroad

Specialized Oregon Guard Unit Conducts Training at Camp Rilea

Caine: When you Mobilize the Guard, you Mobilize the Nation