Guard News - The National Guard

Iowa Air Guard Marks 20-year Milestone with Souped-up Tanker
January 18, 2023 — SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Change has been the one constant in aviation since the Wright Flyer made its maiden voyage 120 years ago this year. Just 20 years after that first flight, two U.S. Army Air Service... MORE

Four U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing prepare for takeoff in Sioux City, Iowa, Sept. 3, 2009, in what is known as an "Elephant Walk."

NY Medics Represent Army Guard at Best Medic Competition
January 18, 2023 — UTICA, N.Y. - For the second year in a row, two medics from New York’s Utica-based 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, will represent the Army National Guard at the Army’s annual Best Medic... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Ethan Hart and Staff Sgt. Dylan Delamarter, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York National Guard, transport a casualty during the Army's Best Medic Competition at Fort Hood, Texas, Jan. 27, 2022. Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from around the world competed in the finals to be named the Army’s Best Medic.

Tennessee National Guard CST Passes Training Evaluation
January 17, 2023 — MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Members of the Tennessee National Guard’s 45th Civil Support Team completed their Training Proficiency Evaluation Jan. 10–12. The evaluation, administered by U.S. Army North, is... MORE

Members of the Tennessee National Guard’s 45th Civil Support Team conduct decontamination procedures during a training proficiency evaluation Jan. 10, 2023, in Murfreesboro. The evaluation was administered by U.S. Army North.

New York National Guard, Brazil Plan Major Joint Exercise
January 17, 2023 — LATHAM, N.Y. – The New York Army National Guard has begun laying the groundwork for a joint exercise with the Brazilian military in the fall.The planning conference for the Southern Vanguard 24... MORE

During the initial planning conference for exercise Southern Vanguard 24 in Macapa, Brazil, Dec 5-8, 2022, Master Sgt. Rob Mitchell and a Brazilian army infantry officer discuss training scenarios, logistical requirements and training objectives for the bilateral event scheduled in the fall of 2023. Southern Vanguard is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, U.S. Army South-conducted exercise at the operational and tactical levels to increase interoperability between U.S. and Western Hemisphere forces.

Soldier Becomes 1st Female Army Guard M1 Abrams Tank Master Gunner
January 13, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Cox became the first female Army National Guard Soldier to graduate the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center’s M1 Abrams Master Gunner course last month,... MORE

Texas National Guard members Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Cox, left, an M1 Abrams master gunner, and her significant other, Sgt. 1st Class Josh Simmons, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle master gunner, next to their respective armor vehicles. Cox recently became the first female in the Army National Guard to graduate from the Abrams Master Gunner school, an advanced gunnery and maintenance school that earns graduates the designation of Abrams Master Gunner.

Sasseville: State Partnerships Vital to International Relationships
January 13, 2023 — WASHINGTON – The National Guard reaches out to other nations through partnerships, stands ready for the warfight, and provides security for the homeland, the vice chief of the National Guard Bureau... MORE

Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, vice chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses Defense Intelligence Agency defense attaches, Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, Washington, D.C., Jan. 12, 2023.

Hokanson to Army Guard Leaders: Tell Our Story
January 13, 2023 — CAMP ROBINSON, Ark. – The National Guard is integral to the National Defense Strategy, the Guard’s most senior officer told Army Guard leaders Jan. 11.“This is the most ready and capable National... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses senior Guard leaders from across the country during the director of the Army National Guard’s Green Tab Commanders Conference at the National Guard Professional Education Center, Camp Robinson, Arkansas, Jan. 11, 2023. Hokanson emphasized the Guard is an integral part of the Defense Department’s National Defense Strategy.

Virginia National Guard Conducts CBRN Exchange in Tajikistan
January 13, 2023 — DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group, conducted a chemical, biological,... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Rocky Mount-based 229th Chemical Company, 1030th Transportation Battalion. 329th Regional Support Group, conduct a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives exchange with the Committee of Emergency Services of the Republic of Tajikistan Dec. 5 - 9, 2022, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Ohio Air Guard Member Wins Jiu-Jitsu World Championship
January 13, 2023 — COLUMBUS, Ohio – When Wendy Kuhn first walked into a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class seven years ago, she didn’t know what to expect. She had no idea she would become a world champion.Tech. Sgt. Kuhn, an... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Wendy Kuhn, an Ohio Air National Guard public affairs specialist at the 121st Air Refueling Wing, stands for a portrait Dec. 4, 2022, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio. Kuhn recently won her second gold medal in Las Vegas at the World Master International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Oklahoma’s 137th SOTG Validated for Joint War Fighting
January 12, 2023 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The 137th Special Operations Wing certified its Special Operations Task Group during a training exercise in Oklahoma and Georgia Dec. 1-9.The exercise tested the operational and... MORE

Special Operations Task Group Airmen with the 137th Special Operations Wing conduct command and control operations during a certification exercise at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City, Dec. 7, 2022. The SOTG integrates multi-domain special operations forces' air power into the joint operational environment.

NY Army Guard unit Hosts Norwegian Foot March in Africa
January 11, 2023 — CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – Service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa and multinational partners participated in a Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier Dec. 16.CJTF-HOA’s... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan Licurse, a petroleum supply specialist assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, and 1st Sgt. Jeffrey Dorvee, the senior enlisted leader of Company D, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, fist-bump during a Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Dec. 16, 2022. Participants were required to ruck 18.6 miles while carrying 25 pounds of dry weight.

Team Approach Strengthens African Partner Medical Capabilities
January 11, 2023 — FALLS CHURCH, Va. - A five-year program to enhance the expeditionary medical capabilities of four African partner nations was completed last month.The African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership,... MORE

Rwandan Armed Forces soldiers and U.S. Nebraska Air National Guard medical personnel load a simulated patient onto a gurney for a patient transfer exercise in Kigali, Rwanda, in March 2022 as part of the African Peacekeeping Rapid Response Partnership program.

Pennsylvania Airman Puts Military Medical Training to Work at Home
January 10, 2023 — MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Air National Guard Master Sgt. Kenneth Rivera-Ithier used his military medical training to help save a life over the holidays.While visiting his wife’s family in New... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master. Sgt. Kenneth Rivera-Ithier, left, a Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element member with the 193rd Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, teaches Airmen how to dress wounds during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course Jan. 8, 2023, in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Rivera-Ithier used his military training to help save the life of a family member over the holidays.

West Virginia Soldier Responds to 2 Emergencies in one Night
January 10, 2023 — LEWISBURG, W.Va. – West Virginia Army National Guard Sgt. Bradley Parker Walls responded to two emergencies Dec. 26, reporting a neighbor’s house fire and providing lifesaving aid at a two-vehicle... MORE

West Virginia Army National Guard Sgt. Bradley Parker Walls responded to two emergencies Dec. 26, 2022, while commuting to his State Active Duty position in Beaver, West Virginia. Walls called 911 after noticing a neighbor’s house fire, then provided life-saving assistance at a two-vehicle accident on his way to work.

Northern Strike 23-1 set for Northern Michigan Winter
January 10, 2023 — CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. – Northern Strike 23-1, this year’s winter exercise hosted by the Michigan National Guard, is scheduled across Northern Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center Jan... MORE

Bravo Battery, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Wisconsin National Guard, conducted a fires mission at Camp Grayling, Mich., Jan. 24. 2022, during Northern Strike 22-1. The 2023 version is scheduled at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center Jan. 20-29.

New Hampshire Guard Serves Kids’ Dental Needs
January 10, 2023 — MANCHESTER, N.H. – Mouths open, eyes hidden by sunglasses, Keyla and Samuel Chilel appeared to doze off in their dental chairs. Keyla was having a tooth pulled; her brother was getting a... MORE

A New Hampshire Army National Guard dental team confers with Andrea Iasillo of the Manchester Health Department in a mobile dental clinic Jan. 7, 2023, at Beech Street Elementary School. From left are Spc. Hayley Minahan, Lt. Col. Christopher Fauver, Sgt. Katie Lindh, and Maj. Jacob Ayers.

Air Guard Flight Nurse Receives Distinguished Flying Cross
January 9, 2023 — ST. PAUL, Minn. – Maj. Katie Lunning made history as the first Air National Guard flight nurse to be presented the Distinguished Flying Cross, in front of family, friends and members of the 133... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, director of the Air National Guard, pins the Distinguished Flying Cross onto Maj. Katie Lunning’s uniform in St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 7, 2023. Lunning received the medal for her extraordinary actions during the evacuation of Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 26, 2021.

North Carolina Airlift Squadron Helps Save Baby's Life
January 9, 2023 — CHARLOTTE, N.C. – “Brace for landing” echoed through the cabin of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft descending into Germany Dec. 25 as members of the 156th Airlift Squadron and Brooke Army Medical... MORE

Members of the 156th Airlift Squadron, North Carolina Air National Guard, and Brooke Army Medical Center help a baby suffering a low heart rate and oxygen saturation. The baby was evacuated from Kuwait to Germany on a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Dec. 25, 2022.

Tennessee National Guard Trains With State Civilian Agencies
January 9, 2023 — JAMESTOWN, Tenn. – A Black Hawk from the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion touches down in a bare field in Pickett Civilian Conservation Corps Memorial State Park. Nearby, groups of Tennessee... MORE

A Black Hawk from the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the Tennessee National Guard hovers while medics prepare to descend during the SAREX 23 exercise in Pickett State Park near Jamestown, Tenn., Jan. 7, 2023. The group worked on tracking, locating and evacuating missing people as part of a training exercise with other military and civilian agencies to strengthen partnerships in a joint environment.

Hollywood Guard Hosts Groundbreaking for C-130J Simulator
January 6, 2023 — PORT HUENEME, Calif. - After a decade of planning and unforeseen impediments, including a worldwide pandemic, the 146th Airlift Wing held a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the start of... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Col. Lisa A. Nemeth, commander 146th Airlift Wing, speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for the wing's new C-130J simulator at the Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Jan. 5, 2023. The new simulator or Weapons System Trainer Reconfigurable C-130J flight simulator will showcase capabilities that will separate it from other simulators across the United States.

NGB Leaders Visit ’Top-notch’ Guardsmen in New Hampshire

Massachusetts Guard Civil Support Team Put to the Test

Alaska Air Guard, Coast Guard Rescue Pilot at Iliamna Lake

Idaho National Guard Trains with US, Indian Special Forces

New York Army National Guard Aviators Help Control Wildfire