Guard News - The National Guard

Washington Guard, Thailand celebrate 20-year partnership
March 23, 2022 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The Washington National Guard is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its partnership with the Kingdom of Thailand in the State Partnership Program and resuming in-person... MORE

Brig. Gen. Gent Welsh, commander of the Washington Air National Guard, with members of the Kingdom of Thailand military in Thailand March 1, 2022. The Washington Guard and Thailand have been partners under the State Partnership Program for 20 years.

OKNG visits Azerbaijan as part of State Partnership Program
March 21, 2022 — BAKU, Azerbaijan – Four members of the Oklahoma National Guard (OKNG) visited the Peacekeeping Brigade of Azerbaijan Armed Forces during a State Partnership Program (SPP) engagement March 1-4.Two... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard and the Azerbaijan Peacekeeping Brigade gather for a group photo at the conclusion of a joint partnership strategic planning and unit training management event March 3, 2022, in Baku, Azerbaijan. This is the beginning of a doctrinal training plan the Oklahoma National Guard is preparing for the Azerbaijan Peacekeeping Brigade intended to cover military decision making processes.

Ukraine-California ties show worth of National Guard program
March 21, 2022 — WASHINGTON – When Russia invaded Ukraine with more than 150,000 troops Feb. 24, most people — especially Russian President Vladimir Putin — expected a Russian cakewalk.The men and women of the... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, adjutant general of the California National Guard, left, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, president of Ukraine, and California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis visit 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 State Partnership Program was established in 1993 through the Department of Defense to develop and strengthen the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine.

Swamp Fox maintenance hosts Bulgarian air force officers
March 18, 2022 — MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. – Six Bulgarian air force maintenance officers spent two days with the 169th Maintenance Group discussing maintenance best practices as a part of a subject... MORE

Staff Sgt. Michael Fisher, aircraft structural maintenance craftsman with the 169th Maintenance Squadron, South Carolina Air National Guard, demonstrates an industrial tube bender to Bulgarian air force officers at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina March 5, 2022. Bulgaria, a NATO partner and partner with the Tennessee National Guard under the State Partnership Program, is scheduled to receive F-16 fighter jets. South Carolina assisted with the SPP engagement by hosting maintenance officers from the Bulgarian air force.

Nebraska Guard shares NCO leadership in Rwanda SPP exchange
March 17, 2022 — LINCOLN AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – One Airman and three Soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard participated in a noncommissioned officer training exchange with the Rwanda Defence Force in Gabiro,... MORE

Members of the Nebraska National Guard and Rwanda Defence Force during an NCO training exchange in Gabiro, Rwanda, Feb. 9, 2022. The State Partnership Program is administered by the National Guard Bureau and supports theater commanders' security cooperation objectives.

National Guard members compete to be ‘Best Warrior’
March 9, 2022 — WASHINGTON – National Guard members across the nation demonstrated their Soldier skills in three days of grueling competition for the coveted “Best Warrior” title.Soldiers and noncommissioned officers... MORE

Pfc. Mario Delahoya, a member of 45th Field Artillery Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard, climbs a rope during the obstacle course event of the Best Warrior Competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Oklahoma, March 5, 2022. The annual three-day event brought together Soldiers to test their proficiency in a variety of warrior tasks and drills.

National Guard’s top general stresses individual, unit readiness
March 4, 2022 — LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Individual and small-unit readiness remain critical priorities, the National Guard’s top officer told a gathering of senior Army Guard leaders from across the nation this... MORE

Mission Sustainment Team students use AN/PVS-31A binocular night-vision goggles during a field exercise in Oklahoma City Feb. 10, 2022. The students used the night vision devices to learn how to observe their surroundings and conceal their movement in the dark.

Airman brings Jiu-Jitsu skills to SPP partner Costa Rica
March 4, 2022 — KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. - New Mexico Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Bradley Vallez is a tournament-winning Jiu-Jitsu competitor. He has the medal to prove it.So when he got the opportunity to... MORE

New Mexico National Guard Staff Sgt. Bradley Vallez took first place in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament. He used his non-lethal training to train police forces in Costa Rica, the New Mexico Guard's partner under the State Partnership Program.

Vermont National Guard hosts Austrian delegation
March 1, 2022 — COLCHESTER, Vt. – The Vermont National Guard hosted Austrian military members at numerous National Guard sites Feb. 14-15 as part of the State Partnership Program.The Green Mountain Boys kicked off... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steve Gagner, commander, Army Mountain Warfare School, 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Vermont National Guard, escorts an Austrian military delegation through the AMWS at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vermont, Feb. 14, 2022. Austria is scheduled to be Vermont’s newest state partner under the State Partnership Program.

Vermont Guard shares communication strategy with SPP partner
February 16, 2022 — SKOPJE, North Macedonia – Soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard led a crisis communication workshop at the Army Home in Skopje, North Macedonia, Feb. 8-10.“Crisis communication is about... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Mike Arcovitch, commander, and Sgt. Gloria Kamencik, public affairs specialist, 172nd Public Affairs Detachment, Vermont Army National Guard, lead a crisis communication workshop at the Army Home in Skopje, North Macedonia, Feb. 8-10, 2022. The Vermont National Guard and North Macedonia have been partners in the State Partnership Program since 1993.

Papua New Guinea military leaders visit Wisconsin Guard
February 15, 2022 — MADISON, Wis. – Despite the many disruptions and plans canceled because of COVID-19, in-person exchanges between the Wisconsin National Guard and the Papua New Guinea Defense Force remain on track as... MORE

Military leaders from Papua New Guinea speak with Wisconsin National Guard leaders from the 115th Fighter Wing Feb. 5, 2022, in Madison, Wis., during a historic first visit to Wisconsin through the State Partnership Program. The program links individual states with armed forces of partner nations to forge lasting cooperation, friendship and mutually beneficial relationships.

Vermont Guard conducts medical readiness exercise in Senegal
February 9, 2022 — COLCHESTER, Vt. – Soldiers and Airmen of the Vermont National Guard will participate in a medical readiness exercise in Senegal as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.Fifteen... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Anthony Gragg, a dentist with the Medical Detachment, Garrison Support Command, Vermont National Guard, examines a patient at the Regional Center Hospital at Tambacounda, Senegal, April 12, 2019. The National Guard’s State Partnership Program is a cost-effective way to strengthen alliances and attract new partners.

National Guard chief returns from African regional security talks in Rome
February 7, 2022 — ROME – The National Guard Bureau’s chief, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined the 2022 African Chiefs of Defense Conference here last week for a series of... MORE

Army Maj. Gen. David Mikolaities, adjutant general, New Hampshire National Guard, and the chief of staff of the Cabo Verdean Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Anildo Morais, sign a Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program agreement in the Republic of Cabo Verde, Feb. 4, 2022. The Atlantic island nation off Africa's west coast became the latest SPP partner on the same day the National Guard's most senior general was representing the component at the 2022 African Chiefs of Defense Conference in Rome. There are now 17 partnerships in Africa, 16 of them with nations in the USAFRICOM area of responsibility, and one with Egypt, in U.S. Central Command’s AOR.

Alaska National Guard, Mongolia conduct SPP expert exchange
February 4, 2022 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – The Alaska National Guard participated in the second iteration of the Airmen-to-Airmen Talks program with the Mongolian Air Force to plan for future training... MORE

The Alaska National Guard and U.S. Pacific Air Forces command conduct subject matter expert exchanges with the Mongolian Air Force during the Airmen-to-Airmen Talks program in Mongolia Nov. 15-17, 2021. Alaska Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Mike Keegan, Lt. Col. Richard Welch, and Maj. Nathan Pooler pose for a photo with musical performers during the cultural day of the program.

Latvia-Michigan SPP partnership on display at Winter Strike
January 28, 2022 — GRAYLING, Mich. – As ice, snow and wind blow across the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in northern Michigan, hundreds of military personnel from across the Department of Defense and allied... MORE

Military personnel from the Latvian National Armed Forces prepare to conduct close air support training during Northern Strike 22-1 at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, Grayling, Mich., Jan. 27, 2022. Latvia trains with the Michigan National Guard under the State Partnership Program.

Virginia Guard conducts medical exchange in Tajikistan
January 14, 2022 — DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conducted a medical exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 6-10 in support of the Defense Department’s State Partnership... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen conduct a medical exchange with the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 6-10, 2021, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The exchange was conducted in support of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, in which Virginia and Tajikistan have been partners since 2003.

NYNG Soldier, Airman graduate Brazil Jungle Warfare School
December 21, 2021 — MANAUS, Brazil – An Airman and a Soldier from the New York National Guard were among six Americans who completed Brazil’s Jungle Warfare School international course in November.Air National Guard... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Paul Cange, far left, and Cpl. Dakoatah Miller, far right, join the other American graduates of the Brazilian Jungle Operations International Course in Manaus, Brazil, Nov. 11, 2021. Brazil’s Jungle Warfare Center conducts a special shortened course for foreign students each fall.

Michigan Guard trains 1st Latvian UH-60 Black Hawk maintainer
December 16, 2021 — LANSING, Mich. – When the Latvian Air Force recently purchased new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, the call went out for a potential UH-60 maintenance training location in the United States. The... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Zach Hollman, UH-60 crew chief, Company B, 147th Aviation Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG), and Latvian Air Force Capt. Raimonds Lugēņins inspect landing gear on a Black Hawk Dec. 1, 2021, at Grand Ledge, Mich. The MIARNG is providing training for the first Latvian UH-60 maintainer after the country purchased four Black Hawk helicopters.

Pennsylvania Guard leaders meet with Lithuanian partners
December 15, 2021 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard hosted Lithuanian dignitaries during a Dec. 14 visit as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.Lithuania and... MORE

Pennsylvania Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, adjutant general, bids farewell to Lithuanian dignitaries after their visit to Fort Indiantown Gap Dec. 14, 2021. The visit was in support of the State Partnership Program and recognizes the 28-year partnership between Lithuania and Pennsylvania.

New York, South African leaders reinvigorate partnership
December 14, 2021 — NEW YORK — New York’s assistant adjutant general for the Army National Guard and South Africa’s new defense attache’ met at the historic Harlem Armory Dec. 9 to reinvigorate the training partnership... MORE

New York National Guard Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, presents a plaque to Brig. Gen. Richard Maponyane, the South Africa defense attaché, in New York Dec. 9, 2021, during a meeting to discuss State Partnership Program initiatives. The New York Army National Guard and South Africa have been partners in the program since 2003.

National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response

National Guard Bureau Leaders Meet With Guardsmen Supporting 60th Presidential Inauguration

42nd Infantry Division Heads to Warfighter Exercise

National Guard Soldiers Prepare for Funeral Honors Duty

New Jersey Guard Hosts U.S. Northern Command Joint Staff Training