Guard News - The National Guard

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.

Vermont Soldiers to Depart for Edelweiss Raid in Austria
February 15, 2023 — COLCHESTER, Vt. – Twenty Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers will compete in the 2023 Edelweiss Raid mountain warfare race in Austria March 1-2.The team will represent the U.S. Army in the race,... MORE

Soldiers from the Army Mountain Warfare School, 124th Regional Training Institute, Vermont Army National Guard, compete in the Edelweiss Raid, an international military mountaineering competition in Absam, Austria, Feb. 02, 2019.

Vermont Guard Members Deploy for Medical Training in Senegal
February 14, 2023 — COLCHESTER, Vt. - Vermont National Guard members will participate in a two-week medical training exercise in Thies, Senegal, through the State Partnership Program.The Vermont National Guard members,... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Joseph Calano, medic, Medical Detachment, Garrison Support Command, Vermont National Guard, draws blood from a patient at the Regional Center Hospital at Tambacounda, Senegal, April 9, 2019. Vermont Guardsmen and their Senegalese counterparts provide the Department of Defense with cost-effective ways to strengthen alliances and attract new partners.

Samoa, Nevada Guard Pair in Growing State Partnership Program
February 3, 2023 — CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada National Guard is adding the Independent State of Samoa as its third partner nation in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of operations through the State Partnership... MORE

The Independent State of Samoa and the Nevada National Guard are new partners in the State Partnership Program. Graphic shows the Samoan and Nevada flags along with an emblem displaying the Tongan and Fijian flag of Nevada's other two SPP partners.

New York National Guard, Brazil Plan Major Joint Exercise
January 17, 2023 — LATHAM, N.Y. – The New York Army National Guard has begun laying the groundwork for a joint exercise with the Brazilian military in the fall.The planning conference for the Southern Vanguard 24... MORE

During the initial planning conference for exercise Southern Vanguard 24 in Macapa, Brazil, Dec 5-8, 2022, Master Sgt. Rob Mitchell and a Brazilian army infantry officer discuss training scenarios, logistical requirements and training objectives for the bilateral event scheduled in the fall of 2023. Southern Vanguard is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, U.S. Army South-conducted exercise at the operational and tactical levels to increase interoperability between U.S. and Western Hemisphere forces.

Sasseville: State Partnerships Vital to International Relationships
January 13, 2023 — WASHINGTON – The National Guard reaches out to other nations through partnerships, stands ready for the warfight, and provides security for the homeland, the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau... MORE

Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, vice chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses Defense Intelligence Agency defense attaches, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2023.

Hokanson to Army Guard Leaders: Tell Our Story
January 13, 2023 — CAMP ROBINSON, Ark. – The National Guard is integral to the National Defense Strategy, the Guard’s most senior officer told Army Guard leaders Jan. 11.“This is the most ready and capable National... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses senior Guard leaders from across the country during the director of the Army National Guard’s Green Tab Commanders Conference at the National Guard Professional Education Center, Camp Robinson, Arkansas, Jan. 11, 2023. Hokanson emphasized the Guard is an integral part of the Defense Department’s National Defense Strategy.

Virginia National Guard Conducts CBRN Exchange in Tajikistan
January 13, 2023 — DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, conducted a chemical, biological,... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion. 329th Regional Support Group, conduct a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives exchange with the Committee of Emergency Services of the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 5 - 9, 2022, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Team Approach Strengthens African Partner Medical Capabilities
January 11, 2023 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - A five-year program to enhance the expeditionary medical capabilities of four African partner nations was completed last month.The African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership,... MORE

Rwandan Armed Forces soldiers and U.S. Nebraska Air National Guard medical personnel load a simulated patient onto a gurney for a patient transfer exercise in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2022 as part of the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership program.

Guard Continues Domestic, Global Missions in a Busy 2022
December 21, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard’s footprint on domestic and international events continued in 2022, highlighting its transformation from a Cold War strategic reserve to the combat reserve of the... MORE

Spc. Megan Koszarek, an infantryman with the Alaska Army National Guard’s Avalanche Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, conducts a security sweep during a training exercise near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 3, 2022. The exercise's aim was to enhance the unit’s combat readiness and evaluate proficiency in an arctic environment.

Mississippi, Republic of Uzbekistan Celebrate 10-Year Partnership
December 21, 2022 — WASHINGTON - The Mississippi National Guard and the Republic of Uzbekistan celebrated the 10th anniversary of joining forces under the State Partnership Program during a reception at the Uzbekistan... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of the Mississippi National Guard, showcases a traditional wood plate presented from Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov during a reception at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Washington Dec. 12, 2022. The Guard and Uzbekistan celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their partnership under the Defense Department National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

Vermont TAG meets with President of State Partner Senegal
December 16, 2022 — WASHINGTON - A Vermont National Guard delegation met with the president of Senegal and the African Union in Washington Dec. 12.Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general of Vermont, sat down with... MORE

President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal hosts Army Maj. Gen. Greg Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, Washington, D.C., Dec. 12, 2022. Senegal and Vermont are partnered in the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program.

West Virginia Guard Hosts Irregular Warfare Planning Conference
December 16, 2022 — KINGWOOD, W.Va. – The West Virginia National Guard’s Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare program hosted an exercise planning conference Dec. 5-7 with representatives of U.S. Army special operations forces,... MORE

The West Virginia National Guard’s Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare program hosted an exercise planning conference at Camp Dawson Dec. 5-7, 2022, with representatives of U.S. Army special operations forces, psychological operations, civil affairs, U.S. Marine Corps Advisor Company A, and the Polish Territorial Defense Forces. The exercise is scheduled in June.

NH Guard, Salvadoran Cyber Teams Strengthen Partnership
December 14, 2022 — SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Backlit by the soft blue glow of nearly a dozen computer screens, a joint cyber team from the New Hampshire National Guard assessed El Salvador’s burgeoning cyber unit... MORE

Sgt. Adam Dorian Wong, a threat researcher with 136th Cybersecurity Unit, presents new topics of interest including artificial intelligence and vulnerability identification to the Salvadoran cybersecurity unit in San Salvador, El Salvador, Dec. 7, 2022. The new material was targeted toward the Salvadoran team’s goals and vision.

Lithuania’s Prime Minister Praises Pennsylvania Partnership
December 6, 2022 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The prime minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, called the partnership between the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Lithuanian Armed Forces a “true friendship” during... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the adjutant general of Pennsylvania, welcomes the prime minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, to Fort Indiantown Gap to tour the base and learn more about the Pennsylvania National Guard’s partnership with the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

Guard’s Global Reach, Capabilities Support National Defense Strategy
December 5, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. – What the National Guard brings to the global stage directly contributes to significant pieces of the 2022 National Defense Strategy, said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, talks with a member of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Grafenwoehr, Germany, June 12, 2022. Germany was Hokanson’s second stop on a five-nation trip to recognize and strengthen National Guard relationships with European allies and partners.

Oklahoma Guard, Azerbaijan Celebrate 20-year Partnership
December 2, 2022 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma National Guard leaders and an Azerbaijan delegation gathered at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their partnership under the State... MORE

Col. Gen. Karim Valiyeva, first deputy minister of defense and chief of the general staff of the Azerbaijan Army, presents a gift to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Nov. 30, 2022. Oklahoma National Guard leaders and a delegation from Azerbaijan met to celebrate their 20-year partnership under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

Pennsylvania Partnerships Highlighted for Defense Attachés
November 18, 2022 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – About 20 foreign military officers who serve as defense attachés for their countries toured Fort Indiantown Gap Nov. 16.The group received an overview of the Pennsylvania... MORE

Defense attachés Brig. Gen. Michael Shapland of New Zealand, Capt. Malick Ndiaye of Senegal, and Rear Adm. Axel Ristau of Germany fire at targets on a range simulator at Fort Indiantown Gap’s Training Support Center Nov. 16, 2022, during the Defense Intelligence Agency’s Fall 2022 Operations Orientation Program tour of Pennsylvania National Guard facilities.

Planners Shape Justified Accord 23 African Military Exercise
November 9, 2022 — NAIROBI, Kenya – More than 80 participants from the United States, African partner nations and multinational forces gathered in Nairobi Oct. 24-28 to plan exercise Justified Accord 2023 — U.S. Africa... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, meet with Kenyan Defence Force Soldiers to prepare for a bilateral exercise during Justified Accord, March 13, 2022. Exercise Justified Accord allows the United States and African partners to support peace and stability in the region.

Pennsylvania Guard Hosts Lithuanian Leaders for Cyber Talks
November 1, 2022 — BIDDLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Pa. - Leaders from the Pennsylvania National Guard and State Partnership Program partner Lithuania discussed cyber defense during a visit to the 111th Attack Wing Oct... MORE

Margiris Abukevičius, Lithuanian vice minister of defense, arrives at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham, Pennsylvania, with his adviser, Tadas Sakunas, and Embassy of Lithuania representatives Monika Koroliovienė, defense counselor, and Master Sgt. Valdas Kačerauskas, deputy defense attaché, to visit the 112th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, a subordinate unit of the 111th Attack Wing. The Lithuanian delegation was accompanied by Col. Donald O’Shell, director of staff, Pennsylvania Air National Guard; Lt. Col. Thomas Love, commander, 112th COS; Army National Guard Maj. Christine Pierce, cyber defense branch chief, Pennsylvania Army National Guard; and Capt. Nathaniel Curtis, State Partnership Program coordinator, PAANG, to discuss strategic planning, cyber defense and areas of future cooperation.

Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In

Colorado Army National Guard Conducts Aviation Training for Wildfire Season

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs Highlights Virginia National Guard Excellence at Military Ball

Oregon Air Guard Participates in Sentry Aloha Exercise

Air Guard Units Join Forces for Aerial Wildfire Suppression Training