Guard News - The National Guard

Connecticut Guardsmen start receiving COVID-19 vaccine
January 29, 2021 — EAST GRANBY, Conn. – Soldiers and Airmen from the Connecticut National Guard who have been serving on the front line of the pandemic response began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at Bradley Air... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Greg Flis, 103rd Medical Group nurse practitioner, draws Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from a vial into a syringe at Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, Connecticut, Dec. 30, 2020. The Connecticut National Guard began administering the vaccine in accordance with the Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, with doses voluntarily administered to Soldiers and Airmen on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Erbil Air Base among 1st in CENTCOM to receive COVID vaccine
January 29, 2021 — ERBIL AIR BASE, Iraq – Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines and distributed them throughout the Combined Joint Operations... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Scott Desormeaux, brigade commander of the Louisiana National Guard’s 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Erbil Air Base, Iraq, Jan.18, 2021. Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) received 300 vaccines for the Combined Joint Operations Area, 110 of those were administered at EAB.

1st CONG infantry company since WWII deploys to Middle East
January 29, 2021 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Approximately 70 members of the Colorado Army National Guard are heading to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield in the first deployment for Colorado Infantry... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with Attack Company, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, Colorado Army National Guard, spend more than a week in Guernsey, Wyoming, in preparation for a deployment, Oct. 15-25, 2020. Throughout the week the Soldiers ran lanes multiple times, qualified on individual weapon systems and completed situational training exercise lanes that consisted of ambushes.

Kentucky Guard to augment security in DC
January 29, 2021 — FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky National Guard will send approximately 150 Soldiers to the nation's capital next week to assist civilian law enforcement with security through March. Volunteers from the... MORE

Lt. Col. Jason Penn, 1-149th Infantry commander, promotes Spc. Dakota Colwell with Alpha Company, 1-149th Infantry, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington Jan. 22, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women assisted local and federal authorities for the inauguration. About 150 Kentucky National Guard Soldiers will assist in Washington through March.

WVNG helps state increase COVID-19 vaccinations
January 28, 2021 — CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia, with the help of the National Guard, set a new benchmark this past week by administering 106% of the federally allotted COVID-19 vaccine.The state's Joint... MORE

Members of the West Virginia National Guard conduct and participate in a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Joint Forces Headquarters, Charleston, West Virginia, Jan. 13, 2021. West Virginia maintains one of the highest percentages of vaccine allocation use in the United States and is rapidly expanding capacity to inoculate the population.

173rd Fighter Wing helps vaccinate Oregonians
January 27, 2021 — MEDFORD, Ore. – Volunteer Airmen from the Oregon National Guard's 173rd Fighter Wing, operating on state active duty as part of Task Force Guardian, are supporting COVID-19 vaccination clinics in... MORE

Oregon Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Meghan Olson, 173rd Fighter Wing, administers a COVID-19 vaccine at a drive-thru vaccination clinic in Medford, Oregon, Jan. 22, 2021. Twelve Airmen from Kingsley Field are on state active duty as part of Task Force Guardian supporting COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Southern Oregon.

Alaska Army National Guardsmen get COVID-19 vaccine
January 27, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Soldiers of the Alaska Army National Guard Medical Detachment hosted a COVID-19 vaccination drive Jan. 24 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as part of... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Alexander Martin-Frank, a combat medic with the Alaska Army National Guard Medical Detachment, administers the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 24, 2021, to Warrant Officer candidate Charles Hooper at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The detachment is administering the vaccine to Alaska National Guard members on a voluntary basis.

Cal National Guard Soldiers assist car accident victims
January 27, 2021 — SACRAMENTO, Calif. – U.S. Army Soldiers with the California National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, provided aid at the scene of a car accident while guarding the Robert T. Matsui... MORE

U.S. Army Cpl. David Campbell, an infantryman with the California National Guard's Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, provided aid at the scene of a car accident while guarding the Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse in Sacramento, California., Jan. 19, 2021. Campbell received recognition and a division coin from U.S. Army Col. Robert Wooldridge, deputy commander for support , 40th Infantry Division.

Army leaders update Guard activities in Washington
January 26, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard will be a force of last resort. Law enforcement will take the lead and be the force of choice should it be necessary, said Acting Army Secretary John E. Whitley,... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, briefs the media at the Pentagon, Jan. 25, 2021.

Wisconsin Soldiers love the ‘Big Boom’ at Winter Strike 21
January 26, 2021 — CAMP GRAYLING MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Mich. – Loud noises are a major part of what keeps two Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers coming back to northern Michigan.“The big boom – it gets your heart... MORE

A gunnery team from C Battery, 1st/120th Field Artillery, Wisconsin National Guard, prepares to load and fire a M-777 Howitzer during Winter Strike 21 at Camp Grayling Maneuver Center, Mich., Jan. 25, 2021. Winter Strike 21 is a cold weather readiness event held as part of the Northern Strike exercise series that offers the Michigan National Guard’s unparalleled facilities as a venue for U.S. and coalition forces to receive advanced All-Domain joint fires training in all weather conditions.

176th Wing Airmen join Noble Defender rescue exercise
January 25, 2021 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Alaska Air National Guard members of the 176th Wing participated in the Operation Noble Defender search-and-rescue/personnel recovery (SAR/PR) exercise Jan... MORE

A U.S Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, conducts aerial refueling from a U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard, over Alaska, Jan. 21, 2021, during Operation Noble Defender. Operation Noble Defender is a North American Air Defense Command air-defense operation that allows dynamic training for operational readiness in an Arctic environment.

Nebraska National Guard assists with COVID-19 vaccinations
January 25, 2021 — COLUMBUS, Neb. – The Nebraska National Guard is vaccinating eligible residents in support of the Department of Health and Human Services' statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Guard members... MORE

Nebraska National Guard Staff Sgt. Brad Wardyn, a flight medic with Company G, 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Tom Kent, the resident and CEO for the Nebraska Public Power District, Jan. 21, 2021, in Columbus, Nebraska.

Michigan expands its COVID-19 response
January 25, 2021 — LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard (MING) is deploying almost 300 additional members to expand its COVID-19 response force for vaccination and testing efforts across the state.Beginning Jan... MORE

Michigan National Guard Army Maj. Michelle Hill, a nurse with Michigan’s Task Force Spartan COVID-19 vaccination and testing team, vaccinates the elderly and frontline health providers in the Genesee County Health Department at Mt. Morris High School Jan. 21, 2021. MING COVID-19 vaccination testing teams are augmenting local health care organizations.

1,000 Virginia National Guard members remain on duty in DC
January 25, 2021 — RICHMOND, Va. – Approximately 1,000 Virginia National Guard members are among more than 7,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from dozens of states remaining in Washington following the... MORE

A Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to Alpha Company, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stands guard at the Capitol during the 59th presidential inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. About 1,000 Virginia Guard members are remaining in the nation's capital to assist local and federal authorities.

NYAG member seeks innovation to support today's warfighter
January 25, 2021 — NIAGARA FALLS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. – "Going through this experience recommitted me to the Air Force's mission." That's how 1st Lt. Ryan Scadlock describes his recent... MORE

New York Air National Guard 1st Lt. Ryan Scadlock, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance officer assigned to the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron, 107th Attack Wing, works remotely during an AF Ventures fellowship due to COVID-19 safety precautions. The program is designed to increase the quality of technology-proficient Airmen while maintaining long-lasting relationships between the Air Force and the private sector.

Michigan National Guard assists with COVID-19 vaccinations
January 22, 2021 — TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – The Michigan National Guard teamed with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department in Lake Ann to vaccinate hundreds of residents with the COVID-19 vaccine this week.In... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Mustansir Husain with the Task Force Spartan COVID Vaccination Testing Team, Michigan Army National Guard, prepares a COVID-19 vaccination in Lake Ann, Michigan, Jan. 21, 2021. The state of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requested support for the COVID-19 vaccine inoculations statewide.

First mobile vaccination teams assist Wisconsin communities
January 22, 2021 — GREENDALE, Wis. – Wisconsin’s first mobile vaccination teams began helping local health departments administer COVID-19 vaccines across the state this week. The teams, which represent a joint effort... MORE

Vaccinators and Citizen-Soldiers from the Wisconsin National Guard prepare for the first day of mobile vaccination team operations Jan. 19, 2021, in Greendale, Wis. Guard members and students from the University of Wisconsin system make up nine teams available to help local health departments increase COVID-19 vaccine access.

Maryland National Guard assisting with vaccinations
January 22, 2021 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – Maryland National Guard Mobile Vaccination Support Teams are working hard supporting COVID-19 vaccination efforts around the state.At Gov. Larry Hogan’s direction, the MDNG created... MORE

U.S. Army Col. Eric Allely, Maryland National Guard state surgeon, observes a MDNG medical Soldier draw a COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe Jan. 18, 2020, at the Maryland State House, Annapolis, Md. Members from the MDNG Medical Detachment and 224th Medical Company Area Support administered the vaccines to Gov. Larry Hogan, Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford, their wives, and Maryland Deputy Health Secretary Dr. Jinlene Chan.

New Mexico woman joins husband, son in National Guard
January 22, 2021 — ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Tanya Saavedra thought her days in the military had ended.During 14 years in the Navy, Tanya pushed her body to its limits as a combat diver and underwater technician, going on... MORE

The Saavedra family: Pvt. Jeremiah Shaw, Staff Sgt. Tanya Saavedra and 1st Sgt. Jason Saavedra. Tanya Saavedra enlisted in the New Mexico National Guard after 14 years in the Navy. Jason Saavedra is a 21-year veteran of the National Guard. Shaw, a 17-year-old high school senior, enlisted in the Guard at the end of his junior year.

Halfway through deployment, 28th ECAB remains focused
January 22, 2021 — KUWAIT – Soldiers with the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade recently passed the midway point of their deployment to the Middle East.They are serving in support of the fight against Daesh,... MORE

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter, operated by Soldiers with Bravo Company, 3-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, flies over the 28th ECAB's area of operations in the Middle East during a routine flight mission. Soldiers with the 28th ECAB recently passed the midway point of their deployment.

Louisiana Guard, Active Component Airmen Complete Air-to-Air Integration Training

Air National Guard Leaders Host 2025 Wing Leader Fly-In

Colorado Army National Guard Conducts Aviation Training for Wildfire Season

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs Highlights Virginia National Guard Excellence at Military Ball

Oregon Air Guard Participates in Sentry Aloha Exercise