Guard News - The National Guard

Kentucky's Operation Immersion gives health providers an up-close look at National Guard training
December 31, 2012 — GREENVILLE, Ky. - During Kentucky's Operation Immersion, behavioral health professionals were invited to Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center here from Nov. 14-16 for a behind-the-scenes look at... MORE

Kentucky behavioral health professionals participate in Operation Immersion. The goal of the event was to reduce stigmas attached to Soldiers receiving behavioral health care and increase the quality of such care in Kentucky.

California captain journeys from Cambodia's killing fields to Guard service
December 28, 2012 — SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Thoeuth Duong's life story is a study in contrasts. Parts tragedy and providence, his account is torn from the annals of history and speaks to the veracity of the American Dream... MORE

Cpt. Thoeuth Duong, a California Army National Guardsman serving with the 49th Military Police Brigade, in Fairfield, Calif., escaped Cambodian genocide and is now living the American dream.

Retired Minnesota Guard Soldier brings ice hockey to military kids
December 27, 2012 — STUTTGART, Germany - Shane Hudella, a retired Minnesota Army National Guard first sergeant and Operation Desert Storm veteran, runs the charitable foundation Defending the Blue Line, which introduces... MORE

Shane Hudella, center, founder of the non-profit organization Defending the Blue Line, which donates hockey equipment to military families, chats with Matt Hendricks, left, a National Hockey League player with the Washington Capitals, and a local hockey fan before a United Service Organizations show at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, Dec. 17, 2012.

Wisconsin Guard Soldier becomes U.S. citizen in Afghanistan
December 27, 2012 — MADISON, Wis. - A Wisconsin Soldier formally became an American citizen in a ceremony thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.Sgt. Luis Cortes-Avila of Oshkosh, Wis., a motor transport operator with... MORE

Sgt. Luis Cortes-Avila holds both the Wisconsin and U.S. flags in Bagram, Afghanistan on Nov. 2, 2012, after taking his oath of citizenship.

Christmas Eve road march honors troops
December 26, 2012 — GLENS FALLS, N.Y. - Nearly 1,000 New York Army National Guard Soldiers, family members, friends and members of the Glens Falls community turned out Christmas Eve for the 9th annual road march to... MORE

New York Army National Guard Soldiers, families, friends and supporters from the community march in the the 9th annual Christmas Eve road march in Glens Falls, N.Y., Dec. 24, 2012.

Deployed Airman receives Christmas phone call from President Obama
December 26, 2012 — KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - "Hello, President Obama? ... I'm great, how are you?"So began the most memorable phone call of a six-month deployment for Senior Airman Keshia Shutts with the 451st... MORE

Senior Airman Keshia Shutts received a Christmas morning phone call from President Barack Obama while deployed at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.

Deployment doesn't slow former National Guard Bureau marathon champ
December 26, 2012 — KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A year-long deployment in Afghanistan hasn’t slowed former National Guard Bureau marathon champion Capt. Varinka Barbini Ensminger at all. In fact, the 32-year old... MORE

Former National Guard Bureau marathon champion Capt. Varinka Barbini Ensminger works out on the venerable Boardwalk running track at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Ensminger's deployment with the Kandahar Agri-business Development Team concluded in late December.

N.Y. Army National Guard Honor Guard expected to conduct 10,200 military funerals in 2012
December 26, 2012 — LATHAM, N.Y. - The New York Army National Guard’s Honor Guard will perform about 10,200 military funerals by the time 2012 ends at midnight on Dec. 31.This is 500 fewer than the 10,752 military... MORE

A New York Military Forces Honor Guard team carries the casket of New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. Joseph Theinert, who was killed in action in Afghanistan while serving with the 10th Mountain Division, during his funeral on June 11, 2010.

Iowa National Guard Soldiers rescue family from icy peril during storm
December 21, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - An Iowa family whose van spun off an icy road during winter storm Draco was safe in a warm hotel room thanks to Iowa National Guard members.Michael Wilson, who was driving his family... MORE

A Soldier at the Sussex, Wis., National Guard armory readies a light medium tactical vehicle for use during a major snowstorm that hit Wisconsin on Dec. 19, 2012.

2012: A National Guard year-end review
December 21, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - As 2012 comes to a close, the National Guard was kept busy throughout the year with its fair share of natural disasters to contend with including battling raging wildfires, picking up... MORE

Eastern Air Defense Sector will help track Santa Claus
December 21, 2012 — ROME, N.Y. - New York Air National Guardsmen from the Eastern Air Defense Sector will play a key role Monday night as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa Claus and his... MORE

New York Air National Guard Airmen Staff Sgt. Jesse Bucenec, standing,and Sr. Airman Marie Coar, go through a Santa-tracking practice run on Dec. 19, 2012, at Eastern Air Defense Sector Headquarters.

Midwest National Guard troops assisting states in storm's path
December 20, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - As the Midwest’s first big winter storm forced road closures and shuttered schools, National Guard Soldiers were mobilized to assist in Iowa and Wisconsin.About 166 Wisconsin National... MORE

Mobile operations unit enhances response capability of Ky. Air National Guard
December 20, 2012 — LOUISVILLE - Airmen at the Kentucky Air National Guard have enhanced their ability to work with civilian agencies following a catastrophe, thanks to a new Mobile Emergency Operations Center.The... MORE

Kentucky Air National Guard Senior Airman Eric Finley, an emergency manager for the 123rd Civil Engineer Squadron, operates a surveillance camera in the unit's new Mobile Emergency Operations Center in Louisville on Dec. 1, 2012.

Alabama Guard Infantry unit continues to set fast pace in Afghanistan
December 19, 2012 — KABUL, Afghanistan - Less than halfway through their deployment, the Soldiers of the Alabama National Guard's 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment have completed more than 5,000 missions and covered... MORE

Soldiers with Task Force Centurion Prime's HHC and C Company pray together before heading out on a mission recently in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. (Courtesy photo)

Mississippi and Romanian Soldiers rescue Afghan honey bees
December 18, 2012 — FORWARD OPERATING BASE MESCAL, Afghanistan - When the Mescal Detachment of Agricultural Development Team 4 from Mississippi arrived in Afghanistan, they didn't know they were inheriting beehives from... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Paul Marshall, an agricultural specialist with the Mississippi National Guard's Agricultural Development Team 4 and Plutonier Eugen Arsene with the Romanian 21st Mountain Battalion spread their mixture of bee food into gauze wrapping at Forward Operating Base Mescal, Afghanistan, Nov. 16, 2012.

Monthly premium e-payment deadline looming for TRICARE Reserve Select and Retired Reserve
December 18, 2012 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - With the New Year quickly approaching, TRICARE beneficiaries covered by TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) must switch to electronic premium payments by... MORE

National Guard sergeant receives Silver Star for actions performed as a Marine
December 18, 2012 — PITTSBURGH - It's not every day that a National Guard sergeant receives a Silver Star for actions performed as a Marine.But that's exactly what happened Dec. 10 in Pittsburgh.Sgt. David M. Gerardi, a... MORE

David Gerardi was serving as a Marine in Afghanistan when he earned a Silver Star.

"Morgan's Men" from Kentucky are heading to Jordan
December 18, 2012 — GLASGOW, Ky. - Nearly 200 Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery were honored Sunday during a departure ceremony in Glasgow, Ky.Hundreds of supporters attended the event at Barren County... MORE

Soldiers, family members and friends attend a departure ceremony for the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery in Glasgow, Ky., Dec. 16, 2012. The unit will deploy to Jordan in January, 2013.

Guard members prepare for variety of roles in presidential inauguration
December 17, 2012 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Approximately 6,000 Army and Air National Guard members from 15 states and territories are preparing to take part in and support the 57th Presidential Inauguration, said... MORE

Senior Master Sgt. Scott Hinds, of the District of Columbia Air National Guard, walks along a large-scale map while giving a briefing on the 57th Presidential Inauguration on Dec. 12, 2012.

NORAD elves ready to track Santa's flight
December 17, 2012 — PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - At the North American Aerospace Defense Command, they're gearing up to track Santa's yuletide journey.The NORAD Tracks Santa website noradsanta.org features a holiday... MORE

Volunteers answer phone calls Dec. 24, 2011, at the NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center on Peterson Air Force Base.

Air Guard Director, Command Chief Visit Enduring Partners 2023

Mississippi Air Guard Demonstrates Multicapable Airman Concept

Virginia Guardsmen Compete in Finnish Sniper Championship

Maine National Guard Rescues Injured Hiker

Maryland Guard, Estonian Partners Focus on Cyber Defense