Guard News - The National Guard

Tennessee Airman, Space Force Brother Reunite in Germany
July 25, 2024 — RHEINLAND-PFALZ, Germany - No matter where you go or how long you’re there, home has a way of finding you. For two brothers serving their nation in different parts of the globe, home found them in... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Mason Young, 134th Communications Squadron cyber network systems operations craftsman, and U.S. Space Force Sgt. Jared Dreier, U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa Component Command Headquarters space systems operator, pose for a photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 18, 2024. Young and Dreier are brothers with a long family lineage of military service.

Illinois National Guard, Partners Train in Cyber Exercise
July 25, 2024 — SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - More than 50 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, along with civilians from the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology and the Illinois State Board of Elections,... MORE

More than 50 Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, along with civilians from the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology and the Illinois State Board of Elections, returned recently from a major cyber training exercise sponsored by the National Guard Bureau. Close to 1,000 military and civilian local, state and federal cyber experts from 41 states and territories and 13 international partners participated in Cyber Shield 2024 May 31 to June 15 at the Virginia National Guard State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Va.

South Carolina Guard Bridging Unit Trains With Colombian Partners
July 25, 2024 — CLARKS HILL TRAINING SITE, S.C. – The sun glinted off the Savannah River as it meandered broadly along the South Carolina-Georgia border. Boats churned on the river’s otherwise placid waters while a... MORE

Maj. Jhon Chaparro, right, and Lt. Col. Jorge Flechas, second from left, both with the Colombian army’s engineer command, watch from a Combat Assault Craft as Soldiers with the 125th Multi-role Bridge Company, South Carolina Army National Guard assemble a raft on the Savannah River to move troops, vehicles, and equipment across the river as part of a training mission at Clarks Hill Training Site, S.C., July 17, 2024. The Colombian soldiers were observing the training as part of an exchange through the Department of Defense National Guard State Partnership Program.

Florida Army Guard Makes Major Training Exercise Possible
July 25, 2024 — CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - Close to 5,000 Florida Army National Guard Soldiers reported to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, for the eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise in July.The xCTC is a significant... MORE

Soldiers from the 53rd Brigade Support Battalion prepare an M977A4 HEMTT cargo transporter to move ammunition from an ammunition supply point to an ammunition holding area at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, July 15, 2024. They are among almost 5,000 Florida Army National Guard Soldiers mobilized to Camp Shelby to support the eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise, a major training event that ensures the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s readiness and proficiency to deploy.

Pennsylvania Guard’s 213th RSG Trains on Heavy Vehicles
July 25, 2024 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. - Soldiers with the 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania National Guard, trained on the proper care, maintenance and hazards of driving and operating large military... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania National Guard, train how to operate and maintain Light Medium Tactical Vehicles during an exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 23, 2024.

Indiana National Guard Conducts Intensive Mortar Training
July 24, 2024 — FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Members of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment of the Indiana National Guard, completed a critical segment of their annual training this week, focusing on... MORE

Members of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry Regiment, Indiana National Guard, conduct a critical segment of their annual training focusing on advanced mortar operations as part of "Operation Touchdown July 18, 2024.

National Guard Leader Visits Georgia, Iowa Troops in Kosovo
July 24, 2024 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - The National Guard’s top enlisted leader discussed readiness, the importance of continuous improvement and the impact the enlisted force has on defense strategy during an... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, visits deployed Guard Soldiers in Kosovo, June 21-25, 2024. Whitehead visited Georgia and Iowa National Guard Soldiers stationed at Camp Bondsteel, Camp Film City, and installations across Kosovo.

Blue Pacific Events Keep Nevada Bilateral Affairs Officer Busy
July 23, 2024 — SUVA, Fiji - A glance at the packed schedule of events in July and this fall underlined the importance of a bilateral affairs officer in the Nevada National Guard.For Nevada’s longtime Army aviator,... MORE

104th Fighter Wing Donates F-15C to New England Air Museum
July 23, 2024 — BARNES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mass. – The 104th Fighter Wing donated an F-15 Eagle to the New England Air Museum July 22 as the wing prepares for the conversion to the F35A Lightning II. Col... MORE

Col. Michael Glass, 104th Fighter Wing Operations Group commander, flew F-15C aircraft 85-101 from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Massachusetts, to Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Connecticut, for its final flight before being retired and donated to the New England Air Museum, July 22, 2024. Donating the F15 to the museum ensures the preservation of its history and air superiority since 1979.

Oregon National Guard Trains for Peacekeeping Deployments
July 22, 2024 — FORT JOHNSON, La. - As night fell on the Joint Readiness Training Center July 20, Task Force Guardian, comprised of Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment,... MORE

Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, commander of Task Force Guardian, conducts an after-action review with his staff July 21, 2024, at Fort Johnson, La. The review follows Task Force Guardian's first night of engagement with opposition forces during the Joint Readiness Training Center rotation, preparing the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team for upcoming overseas missions.

Medical Training Brings New Opportunities to Blackfeet Tribe
July 22, 2024 — BROWNING, Mont. – U.S. service members from more than 50 units across the country are in Montana for Blackfeet Tribal Health - Operation Walking Shield, an Innovative Readiness Training medical... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Brianna Bottorff, a combat medic assigned to the 215th Medical Company, Indiana Army National Guard, triages a patient at the Blackfeet tribal Health - Operation Walking Shield Innovative Readiness Training medical mission at Browning High School in Browning, Mont., July 17, 2024.

Michigan National Guard Soldier Earns Ranger Tab
July 22, 2024 — LANSING, Mich. - Joining the Army is tough; you’re immediately off to basic and individual training, facing drill sergeants, and learning the basics of soldiering. Going straight to Ranger School... MORE

Pfc. Chase Cammanga smiles during his graduation ceremony from Army Ranger School June 21, 2024. Cammenga is the first Michigan Army National Guard Soldier to complete the Ranger Team Leader Initiative training program for enlisted Soldiers in the Army National Guard who aspire to attend Ranger School.

Alaska Air Guard Helps Rescue Plane Accident Victims
July 22, 2024 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Air National Guard members of the 176th Wing and the National Park Service and Talkeetna Air Taxi rescued nine plane crash victims July 12 at the... MORE

A 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk conducts hoist training June 5, 2018, at Eklutna Glacier during a fini flight for Chief Master Sgt. Lance Jordan, command chief master sergeant for the Alaska Air National Guard.

‘Remember Why You Serve,’ Top Enlisted Guard Leader Says in South Dakota
July 19, 2024 — RAPID CITY, S.D. - Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, toured facilities and met with Soldiers and Airmen of the South Dakota... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, presents coins of recognition to members of the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from South Dakota. The SEA toured facilities and met with Soldiers and Airmen of the South Dakota National Guard during their drill weekend July 14-15, 2024.

New York National Guard Assists with Tornado Recovery Effort
July 19, 2024 — ROME, N.Y. - Dozens of New York National Guard members spent three days cleaning up debris caused by a tornado that hit the city the evening of July 16.The 174th Attack Wing based at Hancock Field Air... MORE

New York Air National Guard Airmen assigned to the 174th Attack Wing clear debris in Rome, New York, July 17, 2024, alongside city employees. The New York National Guard deployed 25 Airmen from the 174th Attack Wing, 25 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, and an additional 10 Soldiers to help clear debris left by a July 16 storm.

Pennsylvania Maintainers Conduct Two-Week Training Exercise
July 19, 2024 — JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen with the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron’s Deployable Instrument Landing System Team completed a two-week annual training exercise June 16.The... MORE

Pennsylvania Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Leonard, left, and Tech. Sgt. Shane Miller, with the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, work on a pick-off rescue while on a radar tower during a two-week training exercise that ended June 16, 2024. The 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron is a geologically separated unit of the 171st Air Refueling Wing.

Minnesota Air Guardsman Closing Out 42-year Career
July 18, 2024 — DULUTH, Minn. - In May 1982, Joan Jett’s ‘I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll’ was No. 1 on the radio, and Master Sgt. Tom Krob enlisted at the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, as an aircraft fuel... MORE

Master Sgt. Tom Krob, an aircraft hydraulic systems specialist, 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, stands in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at the Duluth Air National Guard Base. Krob is retiring in July 2024 with more than 42 years of service to his state and nation.

NY Guard Civil Support Teams Learn from Brazilian Counterparts
July 18, 2024 — RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Thirty-five New York National Guard Soldiers and Airmen worked with Brazilian soldiers to secure a major soccer tournament from a chemical, biological or radiological... MORE

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jonathan Morrison, assigned to the 24th Civil Support Team, New York National Guard, puts a simulated casualty on a litter with Brazilian Army soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, Defense Quimica Biological Radiological Nuclear, during Operation Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro, July 12, 2024. Operation Maracana is a training exercise between the NYNG and Brazilian Armed Forces at the Maracanã stadium in preparation for the World Cup in 2026.

Weapons of Mass Destruction Exercise Tests Interoperability
July 18, 2024 — LIHUE, Hawaii – Members of the 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team tested interoperability during a weapons of mass destruction exercise with the Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency,... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Daniel F. Billingsley, communications chief, 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, tests radio transmissions during a training exercise in Lihue, Hawaii, June 7, 2024. The exercise included military and civilian response partners to better integrate capabilities when disaster strikes.

Air National Guard Helps Battle California Fires from the Air
July 17, 2024 — At the request of the National Interagency Fire Center, U.S. Northern Command deployed two C-130 aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) from California and Colorado for wildland firefighting operations from Channel Islands Air National Guard Station in Port Hueneme, Calif., over multiple fires in California. Two additional aircraft will also be activated later this week from Nevada and Wyoming... MORE