Guard News - The National Guard

171st celebrates World War II veteran’s 102nd birthday
November 24, 2020 — FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard's 171st Air Refueling Wing participated in a celebration honoring a World War II veteran who turned 102 years old on Nov. 12.John M. Mahler, a... MORE

Retired Lt. Col. John Mahler, who was once assigned to the 342nd Bombardment Squadron, celebrates his 102nd birthday as he watches a parade of military and first responder vehicles pass the Butler Veterans Affairs Health Care Wellness Center on Nov. 12, 2020, in Butler, Pa.

10th Civil Support Team trains at SeaTac Airport
November 24, 2020 — SEATAC, Wash. – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is one of the nation's busiest airports and one of the busiest ports of entry into the United States for foreign travelers. Those are solid reasons... MORE

Survey team members from the 10th Civil Support Team conduct a hazardous material detection exercise with the Port of Seattle Fire Department with Washington State Department of Health observers at the Seattle Tacoma International Airport on Nov. 18, 2020. The 10th Civil Support Teams trains for a number of different scenarios alongside civilian first responders.

Connecticut Guardsman organizes Thanksgiving meal donations
November 23, 2020 — EAST GRANBY, Conn. – As many Americans continue to face health and economic challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Connecticut Air National Guard member is making sure families can enjoy a warm... MORE

Senior Airman Alexis Maher, 103rd Security Forces Squadron defender, packs a vehicle with Thanksgiving meal kits at Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Connecticut, Nov. 16, 2020. Maher organized the squadron’s second annual Thanksgiving food drive, in which 103rd Airlift Wing members helped donate 120 family meal kits to food banks in six towns.

WVNG joins SPP partner Qatar in virtual exercise
November 23, 2020 — KINGWOOD, W.Va. – The West Virginia National Guard participated in a virtual seminar with members of the Qatari Emiri Land Forces (QELF) as part of the Eastern Action joint operations staff exercise... MORE

Members of the West Virginia National Guard recently participated in a virtual seminar with members of the Qatari Emiri Land Forces (QELF) as a part of the Eastern Action joint operations staff exercise between elements of the Qatari military and the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) Operation Spartan Shield and Task Force Spartan. Since 2018, the WVNG has worked closely with Qatar as part of the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.

N.Y. Guard Airman proud to be a Soldier after 29-year career
November 23, 2020 — LATHAM, N.Y. – Twenty-nine years after walking into a recruiting office, Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Peno says he probably makes a better Soldier than he does an Airman.He's proud to be a member of the... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Peno instructing members of the New York Guard, the state's defense force, on the use of the computer communications system used by the New York National Guard during disasters, at Camp Smith Training Site on June 24, 2017.

Air National Guard F-35 LO shop established in Vermont
November 20, 2020 — SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – As the first Air National Guard unit to base the F-35A Lightning II, the 158th Fighter Wing is familiar with making history and breaking records. Now, the wing claims another... MORE

Members assigned to the 158th Maintenance Group low observable shop in their new building at the Vermont Air National Guard base, South Burlington, Vt., Sept. 23, 2020. As the first Air National Guard unit to base the F-35A Lightning II, the 158th Fighter Wing is now also home of the first F-35 low observable (LO) shop in the Air National Guard.

Army Guard unit wins Omaha Trophy for strategic deterrence
November 20, 2020 — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – In 2020 style, a small formation of socially distanced and masked Soldiers gathered to celebrate the halcyon days of 2019 as the 100th Missile Defense Brigade was presented... MORE

Navy Rear Adm. William W. "Trey" Wheeler III, U.S. Strategic Command chief of staff, right, and Vice Adm. (Ret.) Walter "Ted" Carter, the president of the University of Nebraska, present the Omaha Trophy to Col. Michael Hatfield, commander of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade, during a ceremony at U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Nov. 19, 2020. This is the first time an Army unit and the first time an Army National Guard unit has been selected for this prestigious honor, which recognizes outstanding support to the USSTRATCOM mission of strategic deterrence.

Virginia ANG maintainers take home prestigious awards
November 20, 2020 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – Two Virginia Air National Guard Airmen have won what’s known as the most prominent award in the Air Force maintenance field.Capt. Andrew Gibler and Master Sgt. William... MORE

Capt. Andrew Gibler poses for a photo on the flightline on March 8, 2020, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. He has applied his experience and passion for mechanics to his job as a maintenance officer in the 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

Cargo aircraft turned rescue platform for astronaut recovery
November 20, 2020 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – It’s Nov. 13, two days before a historic rocket launch, and a helicopter pilot approaches a cargo jet on a clear morning at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. He... MORE

Hawaii Air National Guard pilots from the 154th Operations Group and 204th Airlift Squadron review mission plans on a C-17 Globemaster III Nov. 13, 2020, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The Hawaii Air National Guard aircrew was supported by active-duty Airmen from the 15th Wing, who provided logistical and planning support for a contingency rescue operation for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

109th AW on standby in New Zealand for Antarctica missions
November 19, 2020 — SCOTIA, N.Y. – The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing will not be flying to Antarctica this year to provide logistics support to the National Science Foundation's U.S. Antarctic Program... MORE

A member of the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing performs maintenance on an LC-130, ski-equipped aircraft at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on Dec. 17, 2018. The 109th normally provides logistics support to U.S. Antarctic research operations by flying people, equipment and supplies around the continent. Because of COVID-19, the wing will deploy aircraft to New Zealand this year where they will be on standby.

Georgia Medical Detachment shifts to serve public need
November 19, 2020 — MARIETTA, Ga. – Each year, thousands of Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers receive medical care from the Marietta-based Georgia Medical Detachment, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kirsti Horton, a combat medic with the Marietta-based Georgia Medical Detachment, 78th Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, labels a patient's test vials on May 14, 2020, at Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South in East Point, Georgia. The Georgia Army National Guard deployed Soldiers and Airmen to local hospitals to increase medical staffing.

Alaska Guardsman advocates military, STEM careers for women
November 19, 2020 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – For many Americans, getting behind the wheel for a first solo drive is a rite of passage.For Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Elizabeth McJannet-Bratton,... MORE

Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Elizabeth McJannet-Bratton is the noncommissioned officer in charge for inbound cargo, 176th Logistics Readiness Squadron. She was crowned Miss Alaska Collegiate 2021 Oct. 24, 2020, in Palmer.

N.Y. Senior Airman graduates from jungle warfare school
November 19, 2020 — MANAUS, Brazil – When Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel showed up at Brazil’s Jungle Warfare Training School in September, he met special forces soldiers from Spain, Egypt and Indonesia; paratroopers from... MORE

New York Air National Guard Senior Airman Caleb Lapinel trains on tactical swimming in a Brazilian river in October 2020 while attending the international course conducted annually by the Brazil Jungle Warfare Center, known as CIGS for its Portugese initials. Lapinel was the only American in the class of 10.

Hawaii Guard helps ease Safe Travels Hawaii program backlog
November 18, 2020 — HONOLULU – The Hawaii National Guard is helping the state's Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) and Department of Health verify COVID-19 test results of visitors in the Safe Travels Hawaii... MORE

Sergeant Ryan Pang, Task Force Oahu, Hawaii National Guard, helps manually verify and update visitors' test results registered in the Safe Travels Hawaii program, Nov. 16, 2020, 298th Multi-Functional Training Regiment in Waimanalo.

Nevada Army Guard revamps driver training program
November 18, 2020 — LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Army National Guard driver training program is in the midst of a much-needed overhaul to prepare vehicle operators for success on both Silver State roadways and future... MORE

A Soldier with the Nevada Army National Guard participates in the new G3 Driver-Training Program, Oct. 28, 2020, in Las Vegas. This course taught Soldiers proper cornering, braking and maneuvering techniques on the M1120A2 HEMITT Load Handling System.

N.C. Guard helps out at food banks, COVID-19 test sites
November 17, 2020 — RALEIGH, N.C. – Many states are still responding to problems brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, including an increased need for testing and assistance from food banks.That is where the North... MORE

Pfc. Pedro Dominguez, assigned to the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 875th Engineer Company, enters a patient’s information at a drive-thru COVID-19 test site in High Point, North Carolina, on Nov. 13, 2020. More than 170 North Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are activated across the state to support N.C. Emergency Management’s response to the pandemic.

Michigan National Guard fills vital need for food delivery
November 17, 2020 — PONTIAC, Mich. – Soldiers and Airmen from the Michigan National Guard have worked with food pantries and other charities to help distribute more than 3.5 million pounds of food to those in need during... MORE

Michigan National Guard Soldiers with Michigan’s Task Force Spartan work with Gleaners of Pontiac, Michigan, Community Food Bank on Nov. 4, 2020. Since March, Michigan National Guard teams have supported food banks across Michigan.

28th Infantry Division completes warfighter exercise
November 17, 2020 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Leaders with the 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, completed a computer-based force-on-force exercise to train commanders, staff officers and their... MORE

Lt. Col. Dorothy Watkins, left, a military information support operations officer, confers with OF-3 Aleksas Paulauskas, her Lithuanian Land Forces counterpart, during a two-week warfighter exercise Nov. 7, 2020, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

New York Guard's 2nd CST conducts disaster response training
November 16, 2020 — ROTTERDAM, N.Y. – More than 20 Airmen and Soldiers from the New York National Guard’s 2nd Civil Support Team (CST) deployed to an abandoned office building to search for a simulated blister agent lab... MORE

Airmen and Soldiers assigned to the New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team, based at Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, N.Y., pair up in two-person survey teams to search for possible hazardous materials during a training exercise at Rotterdam Industrial Park, Rotterdam, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2020.

Delaware Army Guard UH-60 pilot in Kosovo embraces diversity
November 16, 2020 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Warrant Officer Kristina Multani grabs her flight equipment bag from her locker and confidently strides across the flight line to a UH-60 Black Hawk for her first flight... MORE

Warrant Officer Kristina Multani prepares to fly a UH-60 Black Hawk during the 28th rotation of the Kosovo Forces mission, Nov.6, 2020, at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. Multani, who finished flight school in September as the only female warrant officer UH-60 pilot in the Delaware Army National Guard, embraced the opportunity to deploy to Kosovo.

NASA Apollo, Artemis Missions Cross Paths at Colorado Guard Site

South Carolina Air Guard Showcases ACE Concepts

Florida Army Guard Makes Major Training Exercise Possible

Pennsylvania Guard’s 213th RSG Trains on Heavy Vehicles

Indiana National Guard Conducts Intensive Mortar Training