Guard News - The National Guard

Maryland National Guard Trains Estonians During Exercise
October 10, 2024 — JÕHVI, Estonia - Twelve Soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, supported the Estonian Defense League during a squad live-fire exercise Sept. 7-8 at... MORE

Maryland Army National Guard Sgt. Conner McClaskey, an infantryman with the 1-175th Infantry Regiment, speaks with a member of the Estonian Defense League during training exercise USSISONAD24 Sept. 8, 2024, at Sirgala live-fire range in Sirgala, Estonia. The joint exercise was planned and executed through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program, supporting U.S. European Command’s mission.

Texas Guard Conducts HIMARS Live-Fire Exercise in Estonia
September 27, 2024 — TAPA, Estonia—Soldiers from Task Force Voit, part of the 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, stood ready with their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Randy Garcia, a High Mobility Rocket System crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, supporting 1st Cavalry Division, unloads the rockets from his vehicle for a Table XII live-fire exercise near Tapa, Estonia, Sept. 19, 2024. The 1st Cavalry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe.

Maryland Airmen Train with Logistics Counterparts in Estonia
September 25, 2024 — PARNU, Estonia - Eight Maryland Air National Guard Airmen partnered with Estonian Defense League members to conduct Operation Baltic Rhino, a convoy operations training exercise, Sept. 13-15 at the... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Bandy, 175th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance craftsman, conducts pre-inspection procedures during Operation Baltic Rhino Sept. 14, 2024, at the Eametsa military base, Parnu, Estonia. Operation Baltic Rhino provided an opportunity to exchange convoy knowledge and tactics with Estonian counterparts, underscoring the commitment of the Maryland National Guard and its partners to maintaining effective joint logistical operations, interoperability, and readiness on a global scale.

Maryland Air Guard Joins Cyber Defense Exercise in Estonia
August 12, 2024 — TALLINN, Estonia – Maryland National Guard Airmen participated in a cybersecurity exercise at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence with their Estonian and French partners.Locked... MORE

Maryland National Guard Airmen participated in a cybersecurity exercise at the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence with their Estonian and French partners Aug. 11, 2024. Locked Shields 2024, the world’s largest live-fire cyber defense exercise, is designed to highlight the global community’s commitment to combating cyber threats.

Ohio Air Control Squadron, Estonian Support Northern Lightning
August 9, 2024 — VOLK FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Wis. - U.S. Airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard 123rd Air Control Squadron participated in exercise Northern Lightning alongside a member of the Estonian... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Maya Warren, an IT specialist with the 123d Air Control Squadron, troubleshoots a network Aug. 7, 2024, with Master Sgt. Jarno Maasing, Estonian Defence Forces, during Exercise Northern Lightning on Volk Field, Wisconsin. Northern Lightning strengthens allied interoperability and bolsters defense capabilities in the face of evolving threats.

Ohio’s 123rd Air Control Squadron Trains with NATO Allies
October 26, 2023 — BLUE ASH, Ohio - Airmen assigned to the 178th Wing’s 123rd Air Control Squadron hosted a two-week combined training exercise with eight service members from NATO allies Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and... MORE

Airmen assigned to the 123rd Air Control Squadron in Blue Ash, Ohio, pose alongside service members from NATO nations Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Hungary. Eight service members from the NATO allies trained in Ohio Sept. 11-22.

Maryland Air Guard, Estonian Partners Focus on Cyber Defense
October 18, 2023 — AMARI AIR BASE, Estonia - The Maryland Air National Guard partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command Sept. 17-20 to host the cybersecurity exercise Baltic Blitz 23. About 30 Airmen from the 175th Wing,... MORE

The Maryland Air National Guard partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command to host exercise Baltic Blitz 23 Sept. 17-20, 2023, at Ämari Air Base, Harijumaa, Estonia. About 30 Airmen from the 175th Wing, two soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard, 12 service members from Poland, and 30 Estonians participated in the cyber exercise.

Maryland Guard, Estonian Partners Focus on Cyber Defense
September 21, 2023 — ÄMARI AIR BASE, Estonia - The Maryland Air National Guard partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command Sept. 17-20 to host the cybersecurity exercise Baltic Blitz 23. About 30 Airmen from the 175th Wing,... MORE

The Maryland Air National Guard partnered with Estonia’s Cyber Command to host exercise Baltic Blitz 23 from Sept. 17-20, 2023, at Ämari Air Base, Harijumaa, Estonia. About 30 Airmen from the 175th Wing, two Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers, 12 service members from Poland, and 30 Estonians participated in the exercise to secure simulated rail transportation systems from cyber attacks.

Maryland Guard Teaches Ambush Tactics to Estonian Partners
September 21, 2023 — RUTJA, Estonia - Soldiers from the Maryland Army National Guard’s 175th Infantry Regiment shared their expertise in ambush tactics with members of the Estonian Defence League in Estonia. The training... MORE

Solders from the Maryland Army National Guard's 175th Infantry Regiment conduct ambush section training for members of the Estonian Defence League, in Rutja, Lääne-Viru County, Estonia, Sept. 18, 2023. The 18 Maryland Soldiers trained over 2,000 EDL members over three days.

Maryland National Guard, Estonia Partner for Training at AD23
June 26, 2023 — AMARI AIR BASE, Estonia – More than 100 Airmen from the 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard, completed an agile combat employment movement in Estonia as a forward operating location of exercise... MORE

Estonian joint terminal attack controllers perform a panel check of a U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron, 175th Wing, Maryland National Guard, after a live missile firing at a water range off the coast of Saaremaa, Estonia, June 12, 2023. Maryland and Estonia are celebrating 30 years of partnership through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

Maryland Airmen, Estonia Build Cyber-Sharing Platform
June 21, 2023 — TALLINN, Estonia – Maryland Air National Guard cyber professionals and their Estonian partners are building an information-sharing platform to defend against cyber threats.Airmen from the 175th... MORE

Airmen assigned to the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group work at computer terminals at Martin State Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland, June 20, 2023. The Airmen are assisting with Project Vormsi, collaborating with their Estonian partners to build an information-sharing platform.

Maryland National Guard, Estonia Partner in Overseas Exercise
May 30, 2023 — TAPA, Estonia – Maryland Army National Guard members participated in the Spring Storm 23 exercise in Tapa, Estonia, May 13-27. Twenty-two Soldiers assigned to the 291st Digital Liaison Detachment... MORE

Apache helicopter firing on targets at Spring Storm 23 in Tapa, Estonia, May 25, 2023. The Maryland National Guard participated in the two-week exercise with Estonia, its longtime partner through the State Partnership Program.

Michigan National Guard Hosts Estonian Officer
September 6, 2022 — LANSING, Mich. – The 3-126th Infantry Regiment of Wyoming Armory, Grand Rapids, Michigan, hosted an Estonian officer during annual training at Camp Grayling July 19-23, 2022, as part of the Military... MORE

First Lt. Sven Pärand, a company commander in the Estonian Defense League, shakes hands with U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joel Parham, scout squad leader from the 3-126th Infantry Regiment, at Camp Grayling, Michigan, while participating in the Military Reserve Exchange Program July 19-23, 2022.

Three Nations, One Goal: Continued Freedom
June 24, 2022 — VILNIUS, Lithuania – Three Baltic nations are laser-focused on one goal: defending their independence and territorial integrity.The chief of the National Guard Bureau heard the same message in visits... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, talks with multinational troops supporting a NATO mission, Ādaži Military Base, Latvia, June 16, 2022.

Hokanson: State Partnership Program critical to national security
April 12, 2022 — DENVER – A three-decade security cooperation program with almost half the world’s nations is critical to America’s national security, the National Guard’s most senior general said last week.Army Gen... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Lane, director of operations for the 137th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, speaks to doctors with the Azerbaijan Operational Capabilities Concept Battalion about aeromedical evacuation roles during a medical knowledge exchange event in Oklahoma City March 30, 2022. The knowledge exchange involved the participation and support of Guardsmen with both the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard in support of the State Partnership Program.

Estonian Ambassador meets with MDNG leadership
September 20, 2021 — BALTIMORE, Md. – Estonia’s new ambassador met with the Maryland National Guard senior leaders at the Fifth Regiment Armory in Baltimore, Maryland, Sept. 15. to discuss the nearly 30-year partnership... MORE

Kristjan Prikk (right), the Estonian Ambassador to The United States of America, met with U.S. Army Maj. In Baltimore, Maryland, Gen. Timothy Gowen (left), adjutant general for Maryland, was at the Fifth Regiment Armory on Sept. 15, 2021.

Maryland National Guard, state partners renew SPP ties
April 9, 2021 — COLUMBUS, Ga. – The COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Maryland National Guard from working with its partners Estonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina for more than a year as travel restrictions and other... MORE

Brig. Gen. Adam Flasch, left, director of the joint staff for the Maryland National Guard, speaks with 2nd Lt. Adis Poško, Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, at the Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning Army Base in Columbus, Ga., April 1, 2021. Flasch was visiting members of the Maryland National Guard and state partners from the Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Maryland National Guard A-10 crews train with Estonian JTACs
December 15, 2020 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – Maryland Air National Guard A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots from the 104th Fighter Squadron conducted close air support training with joint terminal attack controllers from their state... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Timothy Davis (front), a standards and evaluations program manager with the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, provides guidance to a joint terminal attack controller from the Estonian Defense Force during close air support training with A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to 104th Fighter Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, in Vienna, Maryland, on Dec. 8, 2020. The Maryland National Guard has partnered with Estonia through the National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program since 1993.

NJ gunnery range hosts State Partnership JTAC training
December 10, 2020 — ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. — U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the 104th Fighter Squadron in Middle River, Maryland, and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) from... MORE

NGB Leaders Visit ’Top-notch’ Guardsmen in New Hampshire

Massachusetts Guard Civil Support Team Put to the Test

Alaska Air Guard, Coast Guard Rescue Pilot at Iliamna Lake

Idaho National Guard Trains with US, Indian Special Forces

New York Army National Guard Aviators Help Control Wildfire