Guard News - The National Guard

From Vermont to Antarctica (and back)
April 13, 2020 — ANTARCTICA – Close to midnight on Jan. 7, Chaplain Esther Lee arrived at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Chosen to be part of the support staff for Operation Deep Freeze (ODF), Lee “hit the ground... MORE

Maj. Esther Lee, a chaplain assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard, poses for a photo as she supports the Amundsen-Scott station, Antarctica, Feb. 6, 2020. The National Science Foundation runs the station, located at the Geographic South Pole, and relies on the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, as the sole supplier of airlift within Operation Deep Freeze, a six-month deployment to the arctic.

Oklahoma National Guard medics train for COVID-19 response
April 13, 2020 — OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard medics joined forces in COVID-19 medical response training at the Oklahoma Regional Training Institute April 10 -11.The training was to prepare... MORE

Oklahoma Army National Guard Sgt. Douglas Engle, Comprehensive Medical Training instructor at the Oklahoma Regional Training Institute, demonstrates how to place an advanced airway as part of COVID-19 medical response training at the 90th Troop Command Headquarters in Oklahoma City April 10 - 11. The training will prepare Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard medical personnel to help respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 across the state.

Guard commander leads COVID-19 response in civilian role
April 13, 2020 — HARTFORD, Conn. – Tractor-trailers began arriving at the Connecticut Convention Center shortly after 7:00 a.m. Saturday, and Connecticut National Guard members quickly set up over 600 beds should... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. Sean Brennan, center, 103rd Medical Group commander and Hartford Hospital operations manager for alternative care sites, speaks with Connecticut National Guard members and local officials at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, April 11, 2020. Brennan is helping lead the Hartford region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic through his civilian role with Hartford HealthCare, where he works full time as a physician assistant-certified.

Mass. Guard conducts COVID-19 testing at nursing homes
April 13, 2020 — BOSTON – Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are conducting mobile COVID-19 testing on patients at nursing homes throughout the commonwealth.As of April 11, more than 3,000 swab tests... MORE

Soldiers and Airmen from the Massachusetts National Guard gather before testing residents for COVID-19 at the Alliance at West Acres nursing home, Brockton, Mass., April 10, 2020. Twelve medical teams are activated throughout the state to conduct testing at medical facilities and nursing homes with high-risk populations.

Looking back: 30 Days of Georgia DoD coronavirus response
April 13, 2020 — ATLANTA – In just one month, the Georgia Department of Defense has moved from contingency planning in preparation for COVID-19 operations to full engagements in 10 missions across the state.On March... MORE

Soldiers of the Atlanta-based Company C, 3rd Battalion 121st Infantry Regiment, Georgia National Guard, assist an infection control team of the Forsyth-based 2-121st who are disinfecting a nursing home in Plains, Georgia.

Task Force Spartan works to protect Soldiers from COVID-19
April 13, 2020 — KUWAIT – As COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus, steadily advances, Task Force Spartan is working hard to prepare and protect its subordinate units and their Soldiers deployed throughout... MORE

Maj. Jean Kratzer of Task Force Spartan washes her hands at the entrance of a dining facility in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. The CDC also recommends disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, avoiding close contact with those who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, cloth, or the inside of your elbow and observing social distancing.

NY National Guard has 3,500 on duty to fight COVID-19
April 13, 2020 — LATHAM, N.Y. – A month into the COVID-19 response, the New York National Guard has about 3,500 members on the mission from the eastern tip of Long Island to Buffalo.The force on COVID-19 response duty... MORE

Spc. Gilliam-Gray Shawnese with the 101st Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 369th Sustainment Brigade, New York Army National Guard, gives instructions to people in their vehicle at the COVID-19 Mobile Testing Center in Glenn Island Park, New Rochelle, Apr. 8, 2020. The New York National Guard continues support at seven drive-thru testing sites.

Massachusetts National Guard helps test first responders
April 13, 2020 — WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers from the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Headquarters Company, and the 126th Aviation Battalion helped administer COVID-19 tests to... MORE

A Soldier from the 126th Aviation Battalion, Massachusetts Air National Guard, helps administer COVID-19 tests to first responders at a drive-thru testing facility, April 9, 2020, on the Big E fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The soldiers worked with other Massachusetts agencies at the site.

NC Guard helps defend city from cyberattack
April 13, 2020 — SHELBY, N.C. – The city government of Shelby, a quaint industrial town of about 20,000 nestled along rolling hills in the southwestern part of the state, was under relentless attack March 19. North... MORE

Members of the North Carolina National Guard’s Cyber Security Response Force deploy to Shelby March 19, 2020, to defend the city’s computer networkand help recover lost, stolen or compromised data. Since 2018, NCNG’s Cyber Team has executed 35 missions in North Carolina and the region.

Massachusetts Guard helps protect homeless
April 12, 2020 — WESTFIELD, Mass. – Security Forces Airmen from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, and Soldiers with the 747th Military Police Company, Massachusetts Army National Guard, are... MORE

Airmen and Soldiers of the Massachusetts National Guard take a photo as they respond together to help their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Security Forces Airmen from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, and Soldiers with the 747th Military Police Company, Massachusetts Army National Guard, are providing security for testing sites and shelters for the homeless who may have contracted the coronavirus.

Community giving comes full circle for Ohio National Guard
April 12, 2020 — CINCINNATI – Harbingers of spring began their bloom in early March around the same time the first COVID-19 cases were reported in Ohio. The focus since has not been on renewal or growth but rather on... MORE

Soldiers from the Ohio National Guard’s 2nd Squadron, 107th Cavalry Regiment — on state active duty supporting the Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati during the COVID-19 pandemic — help deliver meals and Easter baskets to the Friars Club, a nonprofit social service organization, for families. Just last year, community businesses and organizations helped sponsor the unit’s holiday brunch, an egg hunt and Easter baskets for children of unit members.

Wisconsin Guard getting critical equipment to the right places
April 11, 2020 — MADISON, Wis. – A team of Citizen-Soldiers continues to work every day behind-the-scenes to ensure critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is received, repackaged, and distributed to entities in... MORE

Spc. Edgar Mendez, an automated logistical specialist, loads personal protective equipment while on State Active Duty as part of the Wisconsin National Guard’s response to COVID-19.

Indiana Guard supports first state drive-thru testing site
April 10, 2020 — MERRILLVILLE, Ind. – The Indiana National Guard helped conduct the state’s first drive-thru COVID-19 testing site April 8. Twenty-eight Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment,... MORE

An Indiana National Guard Soldier from the 381st Military Police Company, Plymouth, Indiana, directs traffic at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at Merrillville High School, Merrillville, Indiana, April 8, 2020.

California Air National Guard flies ventilators to 4 states
April 10, 2020 — SACRAMENTO, Calif. – From across the state they converged at Mather Airport early April 8 – a C-130J, Super Hercules and an equally impressive HC-130J Combat King II. Aircraft from the California Air... MORE

Staff Sgt Adrianne Rigez, left, and Airman 1st Class Casey Rodriguez, loadmasters with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, load the first pallet of ventilators heading to various states, April 7, 2020, at Mather Airport, Sacramento, California. The state loaned 500 ventilators for treatment of COVID-19 patients in New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Nevada.

NJ National Guard helps set up 3rd field medical station
April 10, 2020 — ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – New Jersey National Guard Airmen and Soldiers answered the call for volunteers to set up a third field medical station in the Garden State to assist in the battle against... MORE

New Jersey Air National Guard Airmen put together wheelchairs during the buildup of a field medical station at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City April 9, 2020. Atlantic City is one of three stations that will offer overflow from local hospitals focused on COVID-19 patients.

National Guard chief: More Guard members to be called up
April 10, 2020 — ARLINGTON, Va. – More than 28,000 National Guard members are on duty as part of COVID-19 response efforts, and that number is expected to grow, the Guard’s top general says. “Over the past few weeks,... MORE

Louisiana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen collect nasal swabs from patients during a drive-through, community-based COVID-19 testing site in New Orleans March 20, 2020. More than 28,000 National Guard members have been mobilized throughout the country as part of COVID-19 response efforts, with additional Soldiers and Airmen expected to come on duty in the coming weeks.

NC National Guard sibling Soldiers reunite on deployment
April 10, 2020 — UNDISCLOSED LOCATION – April 10th is Siblings Day, to recognize the special bond between brothers and sisters. The military is often recognized for similar bonds, because of the special trust that... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Jacqueline Herzog stands next to her brother, Pfc. Jeremiah Herzog, in the Middle East while supporting Operation Spartan Shield, April 9, 2020. The North Carolina National Guard Soldiers were reunited after eight months of separation, just in time for Siblings Day, which is recognized on April 10.

177th FW sews face masks for mission-essential personnel
April 10, 2020 — ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. – The 177th Fighter Wing Aircrew Flight Equipment shop began sewing and distributing face masks for mission-essential personnel April 8.The 177th FW is... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael R. Ottaviano, 177th Fighter Wing, volunteers to prepare fabric for face masks April 8, 2020, in the Aircrew Flight Equipment shop at the New Jersey Air National Guard Base. The 177th AFE shop is sewing and distributing face masks for mission-essential personnel.

Florida Guard chaplain supports Soldiers, first responders
April 10, 2020 — MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Chaplains have been an integral part of the military since 1775. Their mission to offer religious services, counseling and moral support during war or peacetime is not limited to... MORE

Maj. Jaime Villacorta, chaplain of the 50th Regional Support Group, Florida National Guard, prays with Miami-Dade police at a COVID-19 test site at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla., April 5, 2020. Villacorta has provided spiritual support to Soldiers and first responders in South Florida.

Illinois Guard helps build care facility at McCormick Place
April 10, 2020 — CHICAGO – A team of 60 members of the Illinois Air National Guard is helping build an alternate care facility at the sprawling McCormick Place to handle a potential surge of patients during the... MORE

Members of the Illinois Air National Guard assemble an alternate care facility at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago April 8, 2020. Sixty Guard members were activated to support the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to set up the facility for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who do not require intensive care.

Remains of World War II Airman Returned Home

Tennessee Guard Airmen Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

New York Airmen Bring Holiday Cheer to Hurricane Victims While Training

New York Air National Guard Honors President Martin Van Buren

Robot Boosts Louisiana Guard Civil Support Team Readiness