Guard News - The National Guard

Texas ADT-IV takes over Ghazni mission
October 20, 2010 — GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan, - Army Lt. Col. Brian P. Stevens assumed command of the Texas Agribusiness Development Team mission during a ceremony here Oct. 13.Stevens took command of the mission... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. John L. Davis, leader of Texas Agribusiness Development Team-IV, greets Maj. William R. Davis, Leader of Texas ADT-III as he assists him to the aircraft. Texas ADT-IV replaced Texas ADT-III at Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Southeast Afghanistan, Oct 13, 2010.

Wisconsin, Michigan Guard provide lift for Operation New Dawn
October 20, 2010 — BAGHDAD, Iraq, - Despite a significant drawdown of American forces in Iraq, more than 400 Soldiers - about 300 from the Madison-based 147th Aviation - arrived in country last month and are conducting... MORE

Army Maj. Matthew Strub of Headquarters Company, 1st battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, prepares to head out on a recent mission in Iraq. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter unit, which is based in Madison, Wis., has been in Iraq since September in support of Operation New Dawn.

Family Care Plan change addresses custody questions
October 19, 2010 — WASHINGTON, - A recent change in Defense Department policy highlights why servicemembers and deployable civilians who also are custodial parents may want to seek legal help in arranging their... MORE

Guard assists agents in apprehending illegal immigrants
October 19, 2010 — HIDALGO, Texas, - National Guard personnel helped U.S. Border Patrol agents with the apprehension of 19 illegal immigrants, and in deterring suspected contraband from entering the country this past... MORE

Kentucky ADT teaches benefits of grape trellis at Dashtak demo farm
October 19, 2010 — PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan, - Soldiers with the Kentucky National Guard Agribusiness Development Team visited the Dashtak Demonstration Farm to observe the building of grape trellises, Oct. 9.U.S... MORE

H. Sultan Hamid, chief trainer for the Roots of Peace organization out of San Diego, Calif., visits the Dashtak Demonstration Farm. Hamid explained to the farm foreman, Agha Share (white vest), and his farm workers step-by-step instructions of how to install trellis posts. Once the posts are secure, a wire at three different heights will run through the posts, training the grapes as they grow. In the past, grapes have grown on the ground which has caused the leaves to mold and caused disease to the grapes.

Napolitano visits California Guard on border mission
October 19, 2010 — SAN DIEGO, - The head of the Department of Homeland Security visited with California National Guard members of Joint Task Force Sierra, who are working on the southwest border with U.S. Customs and... MORE

Sec. Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security shakes hands with California National Guard members of Joint Task Force Sierra, who are working on the southwest border with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in San Diego on Oct. 18, 2010.

Pennsylvania Guardsman advances in first round of CISM boxing event
October 19, 2010 — MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., - For the past six months, the anticipation has grown as one of the biggest events of the year was to hit Marines and civilians alike by storm. As calendars... MORE

South Carolina Guardsman keeps on trucking with Paktika PRT
October 19, 2010 — PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan, - Out of all his teammates, Spc. Martin Jackson looks particularly at ease behind the wheel of his mine resistant ambush protected vehicle as he drives in convoys for... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Martin Jackson, a South Carolina National Guard member who drives for the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team, pauses to receive last-minute instructions prior to driving his mine resistant ambush protected vehicle on a recent mission at Forward Operating Base Sharana Oct. 15, 2010. Jackson, an 18-year Army veteran, is a long-haul trucker when not activated with his unit. On the PRT, Jackson not only serves as a driver, but also volunteers his free time to maintain the vehicles and ensure they are mission-capable each day.

Air Guard general shares Afghanistan experience with school children
October 18, 2010 — ARLINGTON, Va., - His tan flight suit looked slightly out of place against the multi-colored walls of the elementary school library. But Air Force Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, who recently returned from a... MORE

Air Force Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh high-fives students from Clark Wood Elementary School in Elkland, Pa., during a visit to the school, Oct. 7, 2010. Walsh, commander of the 451st Expeditionary Wing while deployed to Khandhar, Afghanistan, corresponded with third and fourth graders at the school during his year-long deployment.

Army Guardsmen compete in sixth annual combatives tournament
October 18, 2010 — FORT BENNING, Ga., - The field expanded by 30 percent to a record high at the sixth annual U.S. Army Combatives Tournament. Officials said the talent pool grew right along with it.More than 450... MORE

In bout 8 of the heavyweight division, Staff Sgt. Lonnie Kincaid of Fort Riley defeated 2nd Lt. Ivan Iotchkolovsky of the Illinois National Guard on the third and final day of competition at the MACP All Army Championship Tournament at Smith Gym on Fort Benning, Ga., Oct. 3, 2010.

Idaho A-10 wing repeats as Hawgsmoke champions
October 18, 2010 — BOISE, - The Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron became the first team to win back-to-back championships at Hawgsmoke 2010, an international A-10 bombing, missile and tactical gunnery... MORE

Members of the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron from left to right, Maj. Scott Downey, Lt. Col. Ryan Odneal and Capt. Ryan Brown pose with the trophy that they won during Hawgsmoke 2010 at Gowen Air National Guard Base in Boise, Idaho, Oct. 16, 2010. Missing from the photo, but pictured in a photo cutout, is Maj. Justin Keskey.

Indiana Guardsman tours with Army's Soldier Show
October 18, 2010 — INDIANAPOLIS, - Indiana National Guardsman Rena Cunningham, a Soldier in the 2219th Brigade Support Company, is touring with the Army Show this year. The show is a traveling song and dance production... MORE

PFC Rena Cunningham, Indiana National Guard

Louisiana Air Guardsman earns spot on Air Force soccer team
October 18, 2010 — HURLBURT FIELD, Fla., - A Louisiana Air National Guardsman from the 236th Combat Communication Squadron earned a position on the 2010 All-Air Force Soccer Team after a trial and training camp in... MORE

Airman 1st Class Steven D. Bordelon, a communications technical controller with the 236th Combat Communications Squadron of the Louisiana Air National Guard, participates in a scrimmage game during the All-Air Force Soccer Trial and Training Camp in Hurlburt Field, Oct. 6, 2010. Bordelon is the first Louisiana National Guard member to make the team and is also the youngest and lowest-ranking player.

OEF anniversary: Deployed tanker pilots discuss supporting Afghanistan ops
October 18, 2010 — SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - In the past nine years, Air Mobility Command statistics show AMC tankers have off loaded more than 12.2 billion pounds of fuel to aircraft for, Operation Enduring Freedom... MORE

Capt. Tyson Frost, deployed from the Washington Air National Guard's 141st Air Refueling Wing, prepares for his his 100th combat sortie Sept. 18, 2010.

New guide a major tool in building resiliency in Army Guard
October 18, 2010 — ARLINGTON, Va., - An in-depth leader’s guidebook to Soldier resilience was recently published by the Army National Guard’s Soldier and Family Support (SFS) division here. It is a tool to help Soldiers... MORE

SOS: Helping families understand survivor benefits
October 18, 2010 — ARLINGTON, Va., - Surviving family members of servicemembers who die while on duty are entitled to a number of benefits and entitlements. While questions about many of those immediate benefits, such... MORE

Free tutors available to Guard families
October 15, 2010 — WASHINGTON - Last night, I sat down to help my daughter with her homework and very quickly realized I was in over my head. It's been a while since I took 3rd grade math and was hard-pressed to... MORE

Postal service sets holiday mail deadline
October 12, 2010 — WASHINGTON - The recommended mailing deadline for sending economy-priced holiday packages to servicemembers in Afghanistan, Iraq and other places around the world is Nov. 12, officials at the U.S... MORE

Tricare promotes mail-order pharmacy option
October 12, 2010 — WASHINGTON - As Tricare officials explore ways to control costs while continuing to provide the best health care possible, they're encouraging beneficiaries, especially those taking long-term... MORE

Colorado Army Guardsman wins military division of Ironman triathlon
October 12, 2010 — KONA-KAILUA, Hawaii - A Colorado Army National Guard member finished first in the military division of the 2010 Iron Man Triathlon World Championships held in Kona-Kailua, Hawaii on Oct. 9.More than... MORE

U. S. Army Captain Robert Killian, a signal officer with the 2nd Battalion, 185th Division, Colorado National Guard speeds by the crowd after transtioning from the water to the bike while competing in the Iron Man Triathlon World Championship on Oct. 9, while at Kona-Kailua, Hawaii. The grueling race is both a mentally and physically challenging event. The competitors must complete a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike race and then finish with a 26 mile marathon all in one day. The race takes place Oct. 9 and has more than 1,800 competitors.

California Air Guard Prepares Airmen for Cyber Defense

Army Guard Soldiers Train for Kosovo Deployment

Alaska Air Guard’s 168th Wing Sharpens Readiness with CBRN Training

Air National Guard Drone Training Bridges Gap for First Responders

Massachusetts Air Guard’s 102nd Mission Support Group Conducts Readiness Training