Guard News - The National Guard

Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force holds combat lifesaver training
July 7, 2010 — CAMP EGGERS KABUL, Afghanistan - The Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force (METF) had the opportunity to learn some new skills during an Army Combat Lifesavers Course here in June. Sixteen task force... MORE

Sgt. Bon-Benedict Villamil V, a combat lifesavers course instructor with the Alaska National Guard's 144th Area Support Medical Company monitors two Mongolian Expeditionary Task Force members as they successfully administer intravenous therapy.

Vermont Guard trains Afghan police as instructors
July 7, 2010 — AFGHANISTAN - The circle is complete here in Panjshir province, where Afghan National Police who graduated basic police procedures and tactics training, administered by the 410th Military Police... MORE

My weekend in Iraq with Dr. Biden
July 7, 2010 — WASHINGTON, - It was the day before the long, Fourth of July weekend and I already was in holiday mode. My stepdaughter, who lives in Texas, was in town, and I was planning to load all of my children... MORE

Oklahoma artillery unit trains on new weapons system
July 7, 2010 — CAMP GRAYLING, Mich., - As the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team prepares for possible deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, the Soldiers of the brigade’s 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery traveled... MORE

Members of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Oklahoma Army National Guard fire the M119A2 Howitzer from a concealed position during training at Camp Grayling, Mich. The M119A2 is a 105mm Howitzer that replaced the M102 which has been in service since the early days of the Vietnam War.

Texas Air Guard teaches a ‘Total Force’ lesson
July 7, 2010 — EL PASO, Texas - Several active duty security forces members now have a better idea what the “Total Force” concept is after learning valuable combat skills from Guard instructors.Senior Airman Michele... MORE

Active duty Air Force security forces Airmen are debriefed after a convoy live fire exercise by an instructor from the Texas Air Guard's Desert Defender Regional Training Center area security operations course at the McGregor Range outside El Paso, Texas, June 30, 2010.

Guard opens language training center in Georgia
July 7, 2010 — ARLINGTON, Va., - The newly constructed Georgia National Guard Language Training Center recently opened its doors at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga., and provides the resources... MORE

Soldiers with the Georgia National Guard’s 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade receive instruction in Persian-Farsi from a native instructor at the Georgia Guard’s new Language Center at Clay National Guard Center.

'Me and a Friend' program honors military kids
July 6, 2010 — WASHINGTON - When Defense Department and USO officials created the "Me and a Friend" program, Kelsie Vick was who they had in mind.After moving 10 times with her father, Army Master Sgt. John Vick,... MORE

New A-10s arrive at Fort Wayne
July 6, 2010 — FORT WAYNE, Ind., - The 122nd Fighter Wing is currently converting from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the A-10 Thunderbolt, also known as the Warthog.The A-10 is a larger aircraft at 53 feet 4 inches... MORE

The first A-10 Warthog training aircraft recently arrived at the Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne. The unit is converting from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the A-10 this year.

Dr. Biden hears from Guard troops in Iraq
July 6, 2010 — CAMP PROSPERITY, Iraq, - Reintegration, education and support for single soldiers' families were among the issues Texas Army National Guard soldiers raised here yesterday during a roundtable... MORE

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, talks with soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard on Camp Prosperity in Baghdad, July 5, 2010. Biden held a roundtable discussion with Guard members as an opportunity to hear their family concerns.

The White House Blog: Wrapping Up My Visit to Iraq
July 6, 2010 — Today I started my day off at a breakfast event with civilian volunteers from the U.S. embassy here in Iraq. Just like our soldiers, these individuals are sacrificing a tremendous amount on behalf of... MORE

Earnhardt advances in points race after Daytona
July 6, 2010 — DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 National Guard "8 Soldiers 8 Missions" Chevrolet, avoided a series of pileups in Saturday's 400-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at... MORE

The pit crew of the No. 88 "8 Soldiers, 8 Missions" Chevrolet work quickly under the lights of the Daytona International Speedway to get Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and the No. 88 car back into the race July 3, 2010.

Louisiana Guard uses raft to assist workers in Grand Isle
July 6, 2010 — NEW ORLEANS - Soldiers of the Louisiana National Guard's 2225th Multi-Role Bridge Company, 205th Engineer Battalion, have been performing transport duties off the coast of Louisiana near Grand Isle,... MORE

Louisiana National Guardsmen from the 2225th Multi Role Bridge Company of the 205th Engineer Brigade, load all-terrain vehicles onto a five-panel improved ribbon bridge raft in Grand Isle, La., July 2, 2010. The 2225th has been assisting civilian contractors with transporting personnel and equipment to the Grand Terre Islands off the coast of Louisiana in support of oil spill operations.

Mullens advocate more reserve support
July 6, 2010 — WASHINGTON, - Military leaders are working hard to create the same kind of support network for the reserve components that exists for the active duty, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said... MORE

Ohio Air Guardsman mentors Afghani logisticians
July 6, 2010 — KABUL, Afghanistan, - An Ohio Air National Guard member is helping the Afghan National Army Air Force to understand the benefits of using airlift to move heavy equipment.Lt. Col. Michael Masiker, a... MORE

Lt. Col. Michael Masiker, in background, watches at Afghan National Army members work on a project. Masiker, a member of the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing, is currently assigned here as the logistics director for the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.

Kentucky ADT plans reforestation project for Afghanistan
July 6, 2010 — PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Panjshir Gov. Keramuddin Keram met with the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, July 1, to discuss a project that could potentially bring 35,000 new trees into... MORE

Panjshir Gov. Keramuddin Keram, left, listens to a presentation about the Panjshir Valley Green Belts Project from U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey Casada, right, Kentucky National Guard Agri-Business Development Team leader with the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, while Jim Hoffman, U.S. Department of Agriculture advisor to the Panjshir PRT, runs the computer slide show. The July 1, 2010 presentation proposed a project that would bring 35,000 new trees into the province by the end of the year.

Louisiana Guard to monitor skimming operations
July 6, 2010 — PINEVILLE, La., - The Louisiana National Guard is providing a new initiative called the Louisiana National Guard Parish Branch Operations Team to assist Coast Guard branch directors, Gov. Bobby Jindal... MORE

Texas Air Guard prepares ‘battlefield Airmen’ for deployment
July 6, 2010 — EL PASO, Texas - On the desert ranges of Fort Bliss, Texas, there is a lot of open space for Soldiers to train and prepare for combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Army operations are well-known here, but... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Deane talks with security forces Airmen during a convoy live fire exercise on a range in New Mexico, June 30, 2010. Deane is assigned as an instructor at the Desert Defender Regional Training Center, which is operated by the Texas Air National Guard's 204th Security Forces Squadron.

Alaska C-23 crew assists in search and rescue
July 2, 2010 — CAMP DENALI, Alaska - In a break from the normal C-23 Sherpa mission of transporting cargo and people, Soldiers from F-Company, 207th Theater Aviation Company had the opportunity to assist in a search... MORE

An Alaska Army National Guard C-23 Sherpa gets ready to take-off on a training mission in Alaska.

Wisconsin Guard artillery battalion rockets into 21st century
July 2, 2010 — MILWAUKEE, Wis., - With the last rocket's glare, the Wisconsin Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery gave proof last week at Fort McCoy of their Soldiers' unflagging determination... MORE

A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the Wisconsin Army National Guard's Battery C, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery, launches a training round downrange at Fort McCoy, Wis., June 26, 2010. The 121st is one of just a handful of Army National Guard units to field and fire the HIMARS and completed its training and certification with a battalion live fire during annual training this year.

Pennsylvania Guard Medical Unit Gains Vital Experience During Field Exercise

California Air National Guard Hosts Reaper Smoke 2025

Louisiana Guard, Active Component Airmen Complete Air-to-Air Integration Training

Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In

Colorado Army National Guard Conducts Aviation Training for Wildfire Season