Guard News - The National Guard

Burch, SMA, Army Reserve CSM visit sends "one Army" message
November 2, 2011 — ARLINGTON, Va. - During what has been viewed as a significant and historic trip, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Burch, the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, recently spent time... MORE

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Richard J. Burch, command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, visits with Soldiers of the 230th Signal Company, Tennessee Army National Guard, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, to discuss the future of the Army National Guard and answer Soldiers' questions Oct. 20, 2011.

National Guard Chinook crews' contributions vital during drawdown
November 2, 2011 — CAMP TAJI, Iraq - CH-47 Chinook helicopter crews with the Minnesota Army National Guard flew more than 1,100 hours in September, moving personnel and cargo.The Chinooks are also providing a vital... MORE

Army Sgt. Joe Loscheider, a flight engineer with B Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Minnesota National Guard, prepares to move his M240B machine gun into position prior to heading out on a mission from Camp Taji, Iraq, on Oct. 7, 2011.

Obama calls on nation to honor military families, caregivers
November 2, 2011 — WASHINGTON, - Calling on the nation to celebrate military families' service and sacrifice Tuesday, President Barack Obama signed proclamations designating November as Military Family Month and... MORE

First Lady Michelle Obama greets a crowd of National Guard and local families during a Joining Forces community event in the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio, April 14, 2011. The national initiative she launched with Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, calls on all sectors of society to honor and support military families.

Study: No relationship found between service members' health and burn pits
November 2, 2011 — WASHINGTON - No evidence was found between exposure to burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, and long-term health problems, according to a study released here Monday by the Institute of Medicine.A... MORE

Army secretary: Balance needed as wars draw down
November 2, 2011 — WASHINGTON - With the drawdown of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, talented Soldiers will need to be retained while Army infrastructure draws down, and the American people and warfighters need to... MORE

Kentucky National Guard twins together in Iraq
November 1, 2011 — JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq, - The Saunders brothers have plenty in common - they're twins, and they're both Kentucky National Guard soldiers serving together in Iraq.Army National Guard Sgt. Jonas... MORE

Army National Guard Sgt. Jonas Saunders stands beside his twin brother, Army National Guard Cpl. Jason Saunders, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Oct. 21, 2011. The brothers, 25-year-old natives of Barbourville, Ky., are serving on their second deployment to Iraq together.

Herculean effort: Michigan Air Guard deploys to Afghanistan on accelerated schedule
November 1, 2011 — SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. - More than 300 Michigan Airmen and about a dozen aircraft are now on duty in Afghanistan, the largest deployment for the Michigan Air National Guard to... MORE

An A-10 Thunderbolt II moves into position to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker somewhere over the northeastern United States, Sept. 26, 2011. The A-10 is flown by a pilot from the 107th Fighter Squadron, which was traveling to a deployment in Afghanistan. The KC-135 was flown by a crew from the 171st Air Refueling Squadron. Both squadrons are part of the Michigan Air National Guard and are assigned to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.

Roy: Guard members should tell their story
October 31, 2011 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Air National Guard is in the fight and it is up to each and every Guard member to tell their story to their families, employers and fellow service members, the chief master... MORE

Guard mobilizes after severe October snowstorm
October 31, 2011 — MILFORD, Mass. - Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick mobilized the Massachusetts National Guard late Saturday evening in the largest single-state response to a rare October snowstorm that dumped nearly... MORE

Army National Guard Spc. Seth Tuper, a combat engineer, 379th Engineer Company, 101st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts Army National Guard, directs traffic around a tree that had fallen on Springfield Street in Wilbraham, Mass., blocking half the road and creating a potential traffic hazard on Oct. 30, 2011. As Tuper, a resident of Florida, Mass., directed traffic, other Soldiers from his unit used chain saws to quickly cut down the tree.

Muncy: Guard members should use three key steps to deal with change
October 31, 2011 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Resiliency, flexibility and preparation are three key steps for Guard members preparing for potential changes coming to the Defense Department, the Air National Guard's command... MORE

Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Muncy, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, addresses 1,000 Guard Airmen at the Enlisted Leadership Symposium in Nashville, Tenn.

Air Force BDU officially history today
October 31, 2011 — ARLINGTON, Va. - There are two things you should not see Nov. 1 - Halloween costumes and the Air Force Battle Dress Uniform.In 2006, the Airman Battle Uniform became authorized for wear and a date was... MORE

Nevada National Guard photo illustration

Family Matters Blog: Keeping military marriages strong
October 28, 2011 — WASHINGTON - I spoke to a spouse last year about dealing with deployments and keeping military marriages strong. Her husband had just returned from a yearlong deployment in Iraq.She cited an example... MORE

Alaska National Guard SPP with Mongolia uniquely positive
October 28, 2011 — CAMP DENALI, Alaska - The Alaska National Guard hosted the U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia here Oct. 18-21, helping to strengthen an already positive relationship between the United States and... MORE

Left to right: Army Maj. Wayne Don, Alaska National Guard State Partnership Program director; Ambassador Jonathan Addleton; Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell; Army Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general, Alaska National Guard. Ambassador Addleton made his first visit to Alaska to meet National Guard, community, and state leaders Oct. 21, 2011.

Earnhardt remains in ninth with only four races left
October 26, 2011 — Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s strategy in Sunday's race was to power to the front with drafting partner and teammate Jimmie Johnson in the closing laps, but a green-white-checkered finish left them without... MORE

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 National Guard racecar, signs autographs for fans before race day at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Oct. 15, 2011.

South Dakota Guard MEDEVAC team stands ready despite drawdown
October 25, 2011 — AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq - Every morning flight crews from Forward Support Medical Team, Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, South Dakota Army National Guard,... MORE

Sgt. Adam D. Max a flight medic with Forward Support Medical Team, Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment, South Dakota Army National Guard, conducts a daily pre-flight inspection, getting ready for another day on the job at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq Oct. 22, 2011.

Army Guard members take back Sangar valley one footstep at a time
October 25, 2011 — LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - More than 600 Soldiers in search of insurgent activity, weapons caches, and material used to make homemade explosives, are making another big push to secure Laghman... MORE

Children in the Sangar Valley reach out to soldiers from 1st Brigade 201st Corps, Afghan National Army and Soldiers form 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as they walk back to the mouth of the valley on Oct. 2, 2011. The ANA and 45th IBCT worked together to clear the valley of insurgent activity and to show the local villagers that they are committed to fighting the insurgency wherever it may be.

National Guard female engagement team empowers local Afghan women
October 25, 2011 — ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan -Virginia Army National Guard 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team members, Joint Sustainment Command - Afghanistan, and Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul conducted a foot... MORE

Army Lt. Col. Joel Jeffers, a civil affairs officer from the 4th Expeditionary Sustainment Command receives gifts from Fatima, a local business owner, Oct. 19, during a quality assurance visit with the Combined Team Zabul Female Engagement Team. Earlier in the month, the CTZ FET helped Fatima and Bibi Hawa obtain grants to open an almond and raisin-cleaning business in Qalat, Zabul province, Afghanistan.

Royal Air Force aviation pioneer flies with Air Guard F-16s
October 25, 2011 — TUCSON, Ariz. - Wearing a bright red flight suit, Royal Air Force Flight Lt. Kirsty Stewart, a member of the United Kingdom's aerial demonstration team, the Red Arrows, visited the 162nd Fighter Wing... MORE

Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Aguilar fits RAF Flight Lt. Kirsty Stewart with a helmet and oxygen mask in preparation for her F-16 orientation flight at the 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport, Oct. 21, 2011. Stewart, a member of the United Kingdom's Red Arrows aerial demonstration team, was able to fly in the backseat of a Fighting Falcon with the international F-16 training wing.

McKinley gives praise, admiration to Guard members in Kosovo
October 25, 2011 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited Soldiers and Airmen stationed in Kosovo who are part of Multinational Battle Group East, Kosovo... MORE

Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, visits Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, to speak to Soldiers deployed there in support of Kosovo Forces 14, Oct. 24, 2011. McKinley gave his personal gratitude and admiration for the Soldiers and Airmen stationed throughout the country and their bravery during the recent unrest.

First Air National Guard F-16 unit deploys in support of OEF
October 24, 2011 — JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. - More than 175 members of the District of Columbia National Guard deployed to Afghanistan earlier this month, initiating the first Air National Guard F-16 deployment in... MORE

Air Force Brig. Gen. Jeff Johnson, 113th Wing commander, D.C. Air National Guard, wishes a safe journey to Air Force Capt. Danny Hull, 121st Fighter Squadron pilot, before Hull's departed as part of the first Air National Guard F-16 to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. More than 175 members of the 113th Wing deployed this month to support the mission.

Florida Army Guard Makes Major Training Exercise Possible

Pennsylvania Guard’s 213th RSG Trains on Heavy Vehicles

Indiana National Guard Conducts Intensive Mortar Training

Oregon National Guard Trains for Peacekeeping Deployments

Medical Training Brings New Opportunities to Blackfeet Tribe