Guard News - The National Guard

New York Air National Guard command chief launches podcast
March 23, 2021 — STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, New York – Airmen need a voice to tell their story. New York Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson decided to give them one through a podcast... MORE

New York Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Denny Richardson, left, speaks with Col. Rob Donaldson, the vice commander of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, March 23, 2021, at Stratton Air National Guard Base near Schenectady in the first episode of his podcast, “Journeys Through Leadership.” Richardson, the senior enlisted leader for the New York Air National Guard, plans to use the podcast so Airmen of all ranks and experience can share their stories with others in the force.

North Carolina National Guard fields new Paladin artillery
March 23, 2021 — FORT BRAGG, N.C. – North Carolina National Guard Soldiers trained on the new M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer System at Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Fort Bragg March 17.Experts from... MORE

North Carolina National Guard Soldiers train on the new M109A7 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzer System at Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, March 17, 2021. Maintainers of F Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 1 -113th Field Artillery Regiment, 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, studied the improvements in survivability, mobility and firing that make the system more lethal on the modern battlefield.

Massachusetts National Guard combat medic vaccinates his mom
March 23, 2021 — BOSTON – Staff Sgt. David Bravo, a combat medic in the Massachusetts National Guard, was helping to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center when he realized one... MORE

Staff Sgt. David Bravo, a combat medic with the Massachusetts National Guard, vaccinates his mother at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. Bravo and other Massachusetts National Guard members were activated to distribute Pfizer COVID vaccines in Massachusetts.

51st CST, first responders stage Northern Exposure exercise
March 23, 2021 — MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – To keep its skills sharp, the Michigan National Guard's 51st Civil Support Team regularly exercises with law enforcement agencies across the state. Northern Exposure 21 served... MORE

Members of the Michigan National Guard’s 51st Civil Support Team run through decontamination procedures during Northern Exposure 21, March 16, 2021, at Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Northern Exposure 21 was integrated with another exercise known as Rising Waters 2021. This year's scenario was catastrophic flooding leading to chemical contamination, which was followed by a possible WMD situation.

Guardsmen excel in All Army Marksmanship Championships
March 23, 2021 — FORT BENNING, Ga. - Army and Air National Guardsmen from across the country traveled to Fort Benning to participate in the 2021 U.S. Army "All Army" Small Arms Championships March 14-20. The week-long... MORE

Service Members from across the Army, Army Reserves and National Guard fire M-9 pistols during the 2021 U.S. Army “All Army” Small Arms Championships at Fort Benning, Georgia, March 14-20, 2021. National Guard teams and individuals brought home 23 of 31 top awards including 1st in nine of 11 categories.

Army Occupational Health nurse improves health program
March 22, 2021 — BOISE, Idaho – Before Lt. Col. Tina Williams became an occupational health nurse, she grew up in a poor household in Washington with little to no food or heat. She often visited her grandmother to... MORE

Alaska ANG to receive 4 more KC-135s at Eielson AFB
March 22, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Four KC-135 Stratotankers and more than 200 active-duty U.S. Air Force personnel will join the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing, Guardians of the Last... MORE

A new F-35A Lightning II refuels midair via a 168th Wing, Alaska Air National Guard KC-135R Stratrotanker, en route from the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas, to the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The 168th will receive four more KC-135 Stratotankers and more than 200 active-duty U.S. Air Force personnel.

WVNG, emergency management division plan Vigilant Guard 2021
March 19, 2021 — DUNBAR, W.Va. – Members of the West Virginia National Guard met with state emergency management officials March 10 to coordinate planning for Vigilant Guard, a national, full-scale exercise in West... MORE

Members of the West Virginia National Guard met with personnel from the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, Mar. 10, 2021, in Dunbar, West Virginia, to plan the Vigilant Guard exercise to be held in the Mountain State this summer.

Variety key for Army National Guard podcast
March 19, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. - As an infantry officer and a military policeman, Army Capt. Joshua Carr and Army Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Miller always remember the unofficial slogan of "Leader's Recon," a video and... MORE

Army Capt. Joshua Carr interviews Army Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead, the Maryland National Guard’s assistant adjutant general for Army, about the Maryland Guard’s COVID-19 response during an episode of “Leader’s Recon” from the Herbert R. Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia, March 31, 2020. Carr, a team chief of strategic communications in an Army National Guard directorate, usually serves as host of “Leader’s Recon,” a video podcast that aims to create accessible leader development content for Soldiers.

PRNG delivers essentials to Vieques and Culebra islands
March 19, 2021 — FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico National Guard was mobilized by Gov. Pedro Pierluisi to support the Maritime Transport Authority and guarantee delivery of essential goods to the island... MORE

Puerto Rico National Guard Soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico set up a railing for vehicle transport on the Mechanized Landing Craft at the Maritime Transport Authority Port at Ceiba, Puerto Rico, March 15, 2021. The PRNG is helping transport medical supplies and other vital goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hawaiian Raptors, Alaska 'Aggressors' hold fighter exercise
March 19, 2021 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptor aircrews and F-16 Fighting Falcon "Aggressors" from Alaska trained over the Pacific Ocean in exercise Pacific Raptor.The... MORE

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 18th Aggressor Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron March 10, 2021, near Oahu, Hawaii. The aircraft practiced combat tactics alongside fifth-generation F-22 Raptors from the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons for exercise Pacific Raptor. The Alaska-based F-16s, known as ‘Aggressors,’ simulate combat tactics.

MING helps give school employees hope with vaccinations
March 18, 2021 — NILES, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard helped facilitate second-dose COVID-19 vaccinations of school employees March 12."We have seven school districts participating in today's event," said Tracy... MORE

Michigan Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Ayanna McFaddin, 127th Medical Group, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, administers the coronavirus vaccine during a district-wide event for school employees at Niles High School, Niles, Michigan, March 12, 2021. The Guard and state health officials have been working with local health departments to make sure vaccines are available throughout the state.

165 SFS holds tryouts for new Special Response Team
March 18, 2021 — SAVANNAH, Ga. – “If you go, I go.” This is the mentality required by the U.S. security forces Airmen who went through an initial assessment March 12 to join the 165th Security Forces Squadron’s newest... MORE

Airman 1st Class Colin Ricco, a security forces specialist at the 165th Security Forces Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard, completes the 11-task obstacle course March 12, 2021, in Savannah, Ga., during a tryout for the new 165th Strategic Response Team. The team will be a group of security forces Airmen who are highly trained and equipped to respond to emergencies requiring advanced police tactics.

Alabama Guard trains to begin vaccinations in rural areas
March 18, 2021 — MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a National Guard armory, more than 100 service members from all corners of the state gathered with public health officials for the final steps in an effort that has been months... MORE

Alabama Department of Public Health officials observe Alabama National Guard Mobile Vaccination Team members demonstrating vaccination technique to ensure compliance with state and federal standards March 16, 2021, in Montgomery, Ala. The teams will be administering COVID-19 vaccines to members of rural Alabama communities starting March 23.

INNG app connects Guardsmen, families to what they need
March 18, 2021 — INDIANAPOLIS – A new smartphone app efficiently connects Indiana National Guardsmen, their families and anyone else interested in the organization to services and information, ranging from job... MORE

A flyer promotes the Indiana National Guard's new smartphone application. The app connects Indiana National Guardsmen, their families and anyone else interested in the organization to services and information, ranging from job vacancies and education benefits to unit updates.

15 years later, pilots reunite for Mideast flight mission
March 18, 2021 — CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rich Adams and 1st Lt. Ernie Carlson flew 1,500 hours of combat missions in an AH-64 Apache helicopter during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Fifteen... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rich Adams and 1st Lt. Ernie Carlson flew 1500 hours-worth of combat missions in an AH-64 Apache helicopter during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Fifteen years later, now Chief Warrant Officer 5 Adams and Maj. Carlson flew a mission together back in the Middle East serving with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade.

Tenn. National Guard honors Andrew Jackson's 254th birthday
March 18, 2021 — HERMITAGE, Tenn. – Former President Andrew Jackson was honored on what would have been his 254th birthday at his home, The Hermitage, outside Nashville March 15.Gov. Bill Lee joined Maj. Gen. Jeff... MORE

Gov. Bill Lee and Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee’s adjutant general, place a wreath at the tomb of former President Andrew Jackson, on what would have been his 254th birthday, at The Hermitage in Hermitage, Tenn., March 15, 2021. Every year a wreath is placed at the tomb of the seventh president of the United States, honoring his service to his country and celebrating his life.

NYNG 69th Infantry leads downsized St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 18, 2021 — NEW YORK – Fifty New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, donned face masks and fell into formation early March 17 to take part in an abbreviated version... MORE

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, step off for an abbreviated version of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade accompanied by Irish Wolfhounds, the traditional mascot of the regiment, in New York March 17, 2021. The regiment has led the parade annually since 1851.

Oklahoma National Guard assists with COVID-19 vaccinations
March 17, 2021 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard is supporting Oklahoma’s whole-of-government response to COVID-19, shifting its mission and focus to serve the community better. “We are still doing... MORE

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard assist with COVID-19 vaccinations across the state, here in Oklahoma City in February 2021.

Pa. National Guard supports Philadelphia vaccination center
March 17, 2021 — PHILADELPHIA – More than 40 Pennsylvania National Guard members are supporting a mass vaccination center in Philadelphia. A total of 41 Soldiers and Airmen from the Pennsylvania National Guard are... MORE

Pennsylvania National Guard Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Taylor registers a community member for a COVID-19 vaccine at the state-run, federally supported Center City Community Vaccination Center in the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia March 17, 2021. Over 40 Soldiers and Airmen from the Pennsylvania National Guard are supporting the Department of Defense federal vaccine response operations.

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