Guard News - The National Guard

All Guard Combat team named marksmanship champions
September 13, 2021 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Six four-person teams consisting of top shooters from the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves competed in the 30th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting (AFSAM) Aug. 28-Sept... MORE

Army Sgt 1st. Class Michael Bautista, Idaho National Guard, examines his target during a rifle match Sept. 3, 2021, at the 30th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center. Established in 1991, the Armed Forces Skills at Arms Meeting (AFSAM) is a multinational and interservice competition created to promote marksmanship training and competition between the different components and services of U.S. military forces and allied nations.

Arkansas, North Dakota Guardsmen win rifle, pistol competition
September 13, 2021 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Fifty-three four-person teams from across the National Guard competed in the 50th Winston P. Wilson Rifle and Pistol Championship Aug. 28-Sept. 2."We are truly honored to... MORE

Staff Sgt. James Dansie, Utah National Guard, fires his pistol Sept. 2, 2021, during the General George Patton Combat Pistol match of the 50th Winston P. Wilson and the 30th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Championships, hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, held at the Robinson Joint Maneuver Training Center, North Little Rock, Ark.

Airman uses deployment training to resuscitate drowning child
September 13, 2021 — HAMPTON, Va. – Situations can change in an instant. We’ve all heard that. But for Master Sgt. Keona Newsom, a commander’s support staff noncommissioned officer in charge with the 192nd Operations... MORE

Master Sgt. Keona Newsom, 192nd Operations Group commander’s support staff noncommissioned officer in charge, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Aug. 24, 2021, as she recounts saving a child’s life. Newsom performed CPR on a drowning 4-year-old girl, saving her life.

After Ida: La. Guardsmen assist with recovery, rebuilding
September 13, 2021 — NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana National Guard is conducting emergency operations throughout coastal Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida while continuing COVID-19 response missions. More than... MORE

The 159th Medical Group Chemical, Biological, Radiological/Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package sets up mobile medical stations at the Terrebonne General Health System in Houma to augment a badly damaged hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida on Sept. 6, 2021.

Alaska Air National Guard rescues ATV riders
September 13, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The Alaska Air National Guard’s Rescue Coordination Center and the 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons rescued two all-terrain vehicle riders in... MORE

HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew of 210th Rescue Squadron simulate combat search-and-rescue tactics by locating and evacuating a simulated downed pilot in southcentral Alaska Jan. 21, 2021, as part of Operation Noble Defender. The exercise is a North American Air Defense Command Arctic air defense operation.

Governor recognizes New York National Guard's 9/11 response
September 13, 2021 — NEW YORK – On the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, members of the New York National Guard were recognized by Gov. Kathy Hochul for their service during and after that tragic... MORE

Gov. Kathy Hochul recognizes the New York National Guard for its service responding to the 9/11 terror attacks on the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001 in remarks at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Maryland National Guard remembers 9/11
September 13, 2021 — BALTIMORE – Sept. 11, 2001, was a day without comparison for most Americans, and the Maryland National Guard was one of the first responders in the days the followed to provide support to a nation in... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Aarion Franklin, Maryland National Guard, is greeted after returning from deployment to Afghanistan Jan. 28, 2014, at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. Franklin was among the many MDNG members who responded to the attacks on Sep. 11, 2001.

New York National Guard remembers 9/11 with ceremony
September 10, 2021 — LATHAM, New York – New York National Guard headquarters personnel marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in a ceremony Sept. 10 before a backdrop of 2,977 small American flags — one for every... MORE

The color guard presents the flag during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York Sept. 10, 2021. The ceremony took place in front of a backdrop of 2,977 small American flags representing each of the people killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Royal Malaysia Air Force trains on radar operations at WADS
September 10, 2021 — JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – The Western Air Defense Sector hosted a Radar Operations Orientation Course for 12 members of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's 2nd Air Division, 330th Squadron, Aug... MORE

The Western Air Defense Sector hosts 12 members of the Royal Malaysian Air Force as part of a subject matter exchange entailing hands-on training at a radar site at Camp Rilea, Oregon, Aug. 27, 2021. Washington and Malaysia have been partner countries in the National Guard State Partnership Program since August 2017.

Hokanson: Names in bronze one of the reasons the National Guard keeps our promise to be Always Ready, Always There
September 10, 2021 — NEW YORK – As Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson ran his fingers over the letters spelling out one of the names cut into the 9/11 Memorial here Wednesday, he pondered the consequences of the terrorist attacks... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, places a flag and pauses to remember U.S. Military Academy classmate Douglas Gurian, among the almost 3,000 names engraved in the 9/11 Memorial. “It was an attack on our nation, and deeply personal to so many of us,” Hokanson said. The National Guard transformed from a strategic reserve to an operational force after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. This image was acquired using a cellular device.

Pennsylvania Guard responded in force on 9/11
September 10, 2021 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – At approximately 10:03 a.m. Sept. 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field in western Pennsylvania. Within hours, Soldiers and Airmen from the Pennsylvania... MORE

Left to right, Maj. Gen. William Lynch, Pennsylvania National Guard adjutant general; Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge; and Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Paul Evanko leave a CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Pennsylvania National Guard's Company G, 104th Aviation Regiment, at the Flight 93 crash site in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, Sept. 11, 2001. (Photo by Terry Way/Commonwealth Media Services)

Army fields final unit with disaster response comms kit
September 10, 2021 — LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Louisiana Army National Guard used its Disaster Incident Response Emergency Communications Terminal tool suite, known as DIRECT, to provide interagency first responder... MORE

Soldiers from the New Jersey Army National Guard 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team use a radio bridging voice cross-banding system that is part of the Disaster Incident Response Emergency Communications Terminal (DIRECT) tool suite, on Aug. 20, 2021, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.

National Guard members reflect on 9/11 experiences
September 10, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – On Sept. 4, 2001, then-Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Redmond was starting his first day as an assistant district attorney in New York City.One week later, recalled the Green Beret with the... MORE

A graphic illustration of the World Trade Center Twin Towers coming out of the Pentagon with a keystone on the bottom. The towers’ gradient from blue to red symbolizes the lives lost on 9/11. As the nation commemorates the tragic day 20 years ago, National Guard members and retirees reflect on their experiences, and how the day’s events changed the course of the Guard.

Wisconsin National Guard supports Operation Allies Welcome
September 10, 2021 — VOLK FIELD, Wis. – Wisconsin National Guard troops continue to welcome Afghan evacuees and Special Immigrant Visa holders arriving in the United States. Airfield managers, refuelers, and security... MORE

An aircraft transporting Afghans is guided at Volk Field on Camp Douglas Wisconsin, Aug. 22, 2021. The Department of Defense approved a request for assistance from the State Department to provide temporary housing, sustainment, and support inside the United States for vulnerable Afghans at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and other facilities around the United States where they and their families can finalize their immigration processing safely.

91st Cyber Brigade Soldiers earn Ranger tab
September 10, 2021 — BOWLING GREEN, Va. – Two Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 91st Cyber Brigade recently proved cyber Soldiers' worth beyond the keyboard by completing the U.S. Army Ranger School and... MORE

Maj. Andre Slonopas, right, commander of the Virginia National Guard's 134th Cyber Security Company, 124th Cyber Protection Battalion, 91st Cyber Brigade, proudly shows off his Ranger tab following the completion of the U.S. Army Ranger School in July 2021 at Fort Benning, Georgia. Slonopas, who began his career as an engineer officer with the Fredericksburg-based 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, switched to the Fairfax-based Data Processing Unit in 2014 and became one of the staff officers instrumental in standing up the 91st Cyber Brigade.

Vermont Guard delegation visits SPP partner North Macedonia
September 10, 2021 — SKOPJE, North Macedonia – A Vermont National Guard delegation led by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, visited North Macedonia as part of the State Partnership Program.After... MORE

Members of the Vermont National Guard attend a celebration for Army Day at the Ministry of Defense in Skopje, North Macedonia, Aug. 18, 2021. The holiday commemorates the creation of the Mirče Acev battalion in 1943. The battalion laid the foundation of the People's Liberation Army of Macedonia that fought against the Axis forces during WWII.

Alaska Air National Guard rescues bear-mauling victim
September 10, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard members of the 176th Wing saved a hunter mauled by a bear Sept. 8 in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. The hunter... MORE

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and aircrew assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron and pararescuemen from the 212th Rescue Squadron saved a distressed hiker on July 26, 2020, at Mount Williwaw east of Anchorage.

Aunt, nephew reunite during Middle East deployment
September 10, 2021 — JORDAN - Being deployed is often full of firsts. For many, it is their first time in a new country, experiencing a different culture, and being away from family for an extended time. But the first... MORE

West Virginia Army National Guard Cpt. Brittany Watson, a medical operations officer in the 111th Engineer Brigade, and Sgt. Andres Rivera, a carpentry and masonry specialist in the 766th Engineer Company of the 111th, recently reunited during a deployment to the Middle East. They had not seen each other in over 12 years.

How 9/11 shaped the future of the Washington National Guard
September 9, 2021 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The world is undoubtedly a different place than it was 20 years ago.Following the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, more than 200 Washington National Guardsmen deployed to... MORE

The 9/11 terrorist attacks 20 years ago prompted the Washington National Guard to make changes to face the increased threat at home and abroad.

SCNG conducts 'Band-Aids not bullets diplomacy' in Colombia
September 9, 2021 — RIONEGRO, Colombia – South Carolina Army and Air National Guard medical personnel conducted a humanitarian medical mission in the remote town of Tamana, Colombia, during the regional Ángel de los... MORE

South Carolina Air National Guard Maj. Sean Pitale, a doctor with the 169th Medical Group, examines a Colombian patient Sept. 4, 2021. SCNG medical personnel provided medical care to more than 300 people in the remote town of Tamana, Colombia, as part of exercises with its State Partnership Program partner Colombia Aug. 30 to Sept. 10, 2021.

Maryland, Pennsylvania Guard Soldiers Emerge as Region II’s Best Warriors

National Guard Spouse Highlights Strength of Family Support During Maine Visit

Virginia National Guard Team Trains for Disaster Response

D.C. Air Guard Makes Improvements at Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy

Maine Guard Airmen Exercise Rapid-Response Communications Skills