Guard News - The National Guard

Hokanson Announces new State Partnership Program Nations
March 7, 2024 — WASHINGTON – A program that pairs the National Guard in the states and territories with foreign allies and partners is set to grow by several nations this year, the National Guard’s top officer... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, meets with members of the Swedish Armed Forces in Boden, Sweden, Oct. 17, 2023. Hokanson visited Sweden as part of a larger Northern European itinerary for talks with defense officials to deepen bilateral ties between the National Guard and Sweden.

New Army National Guard General Officer Reflects on Career
March 5, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - At the command “attention to orders,” Robin Hoeflein steadfastly assumed the position of attention — shoulders squared, head and eyes facing directly ahead, fingers curled against... MORE

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robin Hoeflein, vice director of the Operations Directorate at the National Guard Bureau, looks on as her husband, Ray, affixes her rank to her uniform during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, where she was promoted to her current rank Feb. 29, 2024.

Hokanson at BEYA STEM Conference: Become everything you are in the National Guard
February 17, 2024 — BALTIMORE – Science, technology, engineering and mathematics will be the foundations for solving today’s and tomorrow’s problems, the National Guard’s top officer told an audience of students, cadets,... MORE

From left, Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau; Sgt. Maj. Alan Thomas, operations sergeant major, Indiana National Guard; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Regina Carrell, a senior strategic intelligence analyst at the National Guard Bureau, and Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, at the Black Engineer of the Year Award Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Stars and Stripes dinner and reception, Baltimore, Maryland, Feb. 16, 2024. The National Guard Bureau was the featured military organization of the 2024 Stars and Stripes event.

National Guard Bureau Leaders Say Taking Care of Guardsmen Key to Meeting Mission at Home, Abroad
February 9, 2024 — WASHINGTON - Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said that as the global security landscape has become increasingly complex, the National Guard continues to fill its role... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, meets with Arkansas Guardsmen assigned to Task Force Bowie, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, on rotation overseeing training with the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, Grafenwoehr, Germany, Oct. 21, 2023.

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.

Hokanson Visits Guardsmen Safeguarding Las Vegas New Year’s Eve Celebration
January 2, 2024 — LAS VEGAS – Amid throngs of people ringing in the New Year, the National Guard’s senior officer met with Nevada National Guardsmen on duty to safeguard “America’s Party” — one of the largest New... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, meets with Nevada National Guardsmen supporting local and federal agencies to ensure the safety and security of the New Year’s Eve celebration in Las Vegas Dec. 31, 2023. The cooperative New Year’s mission is led by Clark County Emergency Management and supported by the Nevada National Guard with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Nevada National Guard Safeguards ‘America's Party’
January 2, 2024 — LAS VEGAS – The Nevada National Guard completed its 24th year supporting first responders during Las Vegas’ annual New Year’s Eve celebration, ”America's Party,” which attracted over 300,000... MORE

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Maj. Gen. Ondra Berry, the adjutant general of the Nevada National Guard, visit local law enforcement and the 92nd Civil Support Team in Las Vegas Dec. 30, 2023. (Tonal adjustments were used to enhance subjects)

Anniversary of ‘Sandy River Rescue Mission’ Befits National Guard Birthday
December 13, 2023 — WASHINGTON - On the National Guard’s 387th birthday, another milestone anniversary represents the impact the Guard has in more than 2,600 communities across the country.Twenty years ago, on the... MORE

Members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1042nd Medical Company, Lt. Col Dan Hokanson, pilot in charge, crew chiefs Staff Sgt. Mark Braeme and Sgt. Rob Armstrong, and Capt. Bryan Houston, pilot, pose in front of a Black Hawk helicopter Dec. 15, 2003. The crew, including Staff Sgt. Travis Powell, flight medic, were credited with saving the lives of two kayakers on Oregon’s Sandy River following an over-water air rescue during a winter storm and rising flood waters.

First Lady Welcomes National Guard Families to White House
December 1, 2023 — WASHINGTON - For the second straight year, first lady Jill Biden welcomed National Guardsmen, spouses and children to the White House to discuss their challenges and how best to support them.The first... MORE

First lady Jill Biden welcomes National Guard senior leaders and family members for a roundtable discussion on support for National Guard children in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington Nov. 27, 2023. Attendees, including Guard children, and adjutants general, also joined the first lady’s presentation of the 2023 White House “Magic, Wonder & Joy” holiday theme and decorations.

National Guard’s Heritage Honored at Storied Army Base
November 7, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. – In a hallowed corner of Patton Hall at Northern Virginia’s Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, a journey through the annals of American military history awaits. An officer’s saber from... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, left, chief of the National Guard Bureau, chats with Air Force Maj. Gen. John P. Hronek, the adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, during the opening ceremony at The 1636 Room at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Patton Hall in Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 1, 2023. Named in recognition of the first organized militia in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 – the predecessor of today’s National Guard – the exhibit space runs the gamut of strategically placed artifacts, framed flags, panel displays, photographs, visual arts and replicated items.

National Guard Unveils Senior Enlisted Advisor Positional Colors
November 2, 2023 — JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. – Almost 150 people from all service components, including National Guard leaders from all 50 states and four territories, gathered in Patton Hall to witness a... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, presents the positional colors to Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Nov. 1, 2023. This marks the first time a senior enlisted advisor to the National Guard chief is recognized with such colors, a milestone in a tradition that dates to 1636.

In Finland, Hokanson Sees a Country’s Cold Will to Defend Itself
October 19, 2023 — HELSINKI – The National Guard’s top officer recently visited Finland as part of a larger Northern European itinerary to strengthen the Guard’s security cooperation ties in the region.The Guard has... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, and Lt. Gen. Vesa Virtanen, chief of Defense Command, Finnish Defense Forces, meet with Col. Mika Rytkonen, commander of Finland’s South-Eastern Border Guard District, near Vaalimaa, Finland, Oct. 13, 2023. Hokanson visited Finland to enhance bilateral ties between the National Guard and Finland.

Guard Team Awarded 3rd Consecutive Services Cup Cyber Trophy
October 5, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. - A National Guard team received the 2022 SANS NetWars Department of Defense Services Cup from Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, marking the third... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, meets with the National Guard cyber team that won the 2022 SANS NetWars Department of Defense Services Cup cybersecurity competition at the Pentagon Sept. 22, 2023. Teams from all service branches took part in the two-day competition, with the Guard team taking top honors for the third consecutive year.

Hokanson: Panama a Global Crossroads, Key Security Cooperation Partner
September 19, 2023 — PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Republic of Panama is a bridge that connects the Americas. Its renowned canal is one of the most strategic waterways in the world. It also is a key security cooperation... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, left, chief, National Guard Bureau, meets with Panama Minister of Public Security Juan Manuel Pino Forero at the Ministry of Public Security, Panama City, Panama, Aug. 28, 2023. Panama and the Missouri National Guard have been paired in the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program since 1996.

National Guard Chief Hokanson: ‘We Serve for the Future’
August 23, 2023 — RENO, Nev. – For years, the National Guard’s most senior general has urged Guardsmen to tell our story; last week, he also stressed explaining why we do what we do.“We serve for the future, for global... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses attendees at the 145th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference, Reno, Nevada, Aug. 19, 2021.

Hokanson Reinforces National Guard Partnership with America’s Longest-standing Indo-Pacific Ally
June 30, 2023 — MANILA, Philippines – The U.S. National Guard’s top general met with Philippine military leaders recently to discuss enhancing the security cooperation partnership between the Southeast Asian island... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, met with Philippine military leaders to discuss enhancing the security cooperation partnership between the Southeast Asian island nation and the Hawaii National Guard and Guam National Guard in Manila, Philippines, May 20, 2023. This image was acquired using a cellular device.

In South Korea, Hokanson Assesses Potential National Guard Support
June 30, 2023 — SEOUL, South Korea – Assessing how the National Guard might support U.S. and Republic of Korea forces at a time of deepening defense and security ties between the two nations was top of mind for Army... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, right, visits the Republic of South Korea to assess potential National Guard contributions at a time of deepening U.S. and ROK defense and security ties May 16, 2023. This image was acquired using a cellular device.

In Albania, Hokanson Sees Committed Partner, Steadfast NATO Ally
June 21, 2023 — TIRANA, Albania – In a country that spent nearly 450 years under Ottoman Empire rule, suffered fascist occupation during World War II, and endured a dictatorship for much of the 20th century,... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Brig. Gen. Arben Kingji, Albania’s chief of defence, observe an Albanian Special Forces Battalion live-fire exercise at the Albanian Armed Forces Land Force headquarters in Zerr-Hall, Albania, June 10, 2023. Hokanson visited the Balkan nation to reaffirm the New Jersey National Guard’s partnership with Albania through the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program.

Hokanson: Bilateral Defense Relations with Serbia on Positive Trajectory
June 21, 2023 — BELGRADE, Serbia – In the wake of Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Serbia instituted a moratorium on military drills with other nations.On June 15, Serbian troops resumed bilateral... MORE

Sgt. Joshua Stiles, assigned to the Ohio National Guard’s Military Police Company, instructs members of the Serbian Armed Forces on non-lethal weapons tactics during Exercise Platinum Wolf 2018, June 15, 2018.

National Guard Honors Fallen in Memorial Day Observances
May 26, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard is honoring service members who died for their country in Memorial Day observances across the country this weekend. “When we remember what the fallen have given us,... MORE

New York Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Michele Natali, left, the assistant adjutant general, Army; and New York Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Hewson, the senior enlisted advisor for the New York Air National Guard, salute following the presentation of a wreath during a Memorial Day ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York, May 25, 2023. The names of 12 members of the New York Military Forces and civilian employees of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs who have died in the past year were also read during the ceremony.

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