Guard News - The National Guard

Georgia Guard Supports Partner Agencies Responding to Helene
October 3, 2024 — MARIETTA, Ga. – Since Hurricane Helene landed on Sept. 27, the Georgia Army National Guard has provided response and recovery support to residents affected by the storm, working alongside civilian... MORE

U.S. Army Cpt. Charles Smith, a logistics officer assigned to the Macon-based Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 148th Brigade Support Battalion, 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, coordinates response efforts with civilian agencies from Georgia and New Jersey, Oct. 1, 2024, at the Macon State Farmer’s Market in Macon, Georgia.

Guard Airmen, Soldiers Train To Care for Fallen Comrades
October 2, 2024 — FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. – For two weeks in September, National Guard Airmen and Soldiers dedicated themselves to preparing for one of the most solemn duties in the military: handling and returning the... MORE

Fredrick Kennebrew, left, a mortuary affairs evaluator assigned to the Joint Test and Evaluation Program, observes fatality search and recovery team Airmen and mortuary affairs Soldiers as they practice temporary interment of simulated contaminated human remains during an exercise at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, Sept. 11, 2024. The exercise was part of a quick reaction test to refine the techniques, tactics and procedures for managing and caring for the remains of fallen service members.

Texas Air Guard Supports Flood Response in Czechia
October 2, 2024 — ČÁSLAV AIR BASE, Czechia – The 147th Attack Wing has shifted its focus from the NATO-led Ample Strike 2024 exercise to help Czechia respond to one of the most severe weather-related events it has ever... MORE

A Czech emergency services official reviews aerial footage captured by a Texas Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper during flood relief operations at Čáslav Air Base, Czechia, Sept. 17, 2024. The footage is being used to coordinate response efforts and prioritize areas most affected by the flooding.

Idaho Army National Guard Fields Latest Artillery Platform
October 2, 2024 — BOISE, Idaho - The 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment, Idaho Army National Guard, has upgraded its combat capability with 18 new Paladin M109A7 next-generation artillery systems. The regiment conducted... MORE

The 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment is the latest unit in the Idaho Army National Guard to upgrade its combat capability as modernization efforts across the U.S. Army and Army National Guard take shape. The unit received 18 new Paladin M109A7 next-generation artillery systems and conducted its first live-fire exercises using the long-range guns earlier this month at the Orchard Combat Training Center in Boise.

Maryland Guard, Bosnia and Herzegovina Conduct Cyber Exchange
October 2, 2024 — LAUREL, Md. – The Maryland Army National Guard’s Cyber Protection Team 169 partnered with their counterparts from the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a cyber knowledge exchange Sept... MORE

Members from the Maryland National Guard and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina pose for a group photograph outside the Pvt. Henry Costin Readiness Center in Laurel, Maryland, Sept. 19, 2024. AFBiH members from the Cyber Operations Center spent a week in Maryland conducting a military-to-military exchange with the CPT 169 to enhance their capabilities through a collaborative learning environment.

World War II POW Guardsman Returned Home for Burial
October 2, 2024 — CHICAGO - Illinois Army National Guard Pfc. Harry Jerele of Berkeley, Illinois, is finally home, nearly 84 years after Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, based in Maywood, was activated for federal... MORE

A military and funeral honors team loads the flag-draped coffin containing the remains of Illinois Army National Guard Pfc. Harry Jerele into a hearse at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago Oct. 1, 2024. Jerele was a World War II prisoner of war who died in captivity in 1943.

Oklahoma Guard Hosts Wildland Fire Drone Integration Exercise
October 2, 2024 — WEATHERFORD, Okla. - The Oklahoma National Guard partnered with Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Weatherford Fire Department to host a multi-agency wildland... MORE

Sgt. Donald Underwood, an unmanned aerial systems operator with Delta Company, 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, operates a UAS during a multi-agency wildland firefighting unmanned aerial systems integration exercise at Crowder Lake near Weatherford, Oklahoma, Sept. 25-26, 2024. The exercise brought the Oklahoma National Guard, state and local agencies and several private UAS companies together to develop a common operating picture.

North Carolina Guard Delivers Food, Water to Hurricane Victims
October 2, 2024 — ASHEVILLE, N.C. - As part of a coordinated relief effort with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Carolina Air National Guard has delivered over 100,000 pounds of food, water and other... MORE

Members of the North Carolina Air National Guard transport more than 100,000 pounds of essential goods to Western North Carolina in support of humanitarian efforts following Hurricane Helene. The cargo, delivered aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, included more than 48 pallets of water, Meals Ready to Eat and other vital supplies.

Michigan Guard, Sierra Leone Establish State Partnership
September 30, 2024 — FREETOWN, Sierra Leone - “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” the adage goes. However, since the announcement in May that Sierra Leone would partner with the Michigan National... MORE

The Michigan National Guard and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces come together to mark the beginning of their partnership under the State Partnership Program in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Sept. 12, 2024. This SPP signing ceremony represents a new chapter of mutual support, training, and cooperation.

Wisconsin Army Guard Deploys More Than 300 Soldiers
September 30, 2024 — VOLK FIELD, Wis. - Gov. Tony Evers and senior Wisconsin National Guard leaders joined families and friends at a formal sendoff ceremony Sept. 28 for more than 300 Wisconsin Army National Guard... MORE

More than 300 Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers board charter flights Sept. 28, 2024, at Volk Field Air National Guard Base, Camp Douglas, Wis., following a formal sendoff ceremony. The Soldiers, part of the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion and the 457th Chemical Company, are deploying to U.S. Central Command in Southwest Asia and U.S. Africa Command, Horn of Africa.

Army Guard Command Sergeant Major Visits Best Squad Competitors
September 30, 2024 — FORT MOORE, Ga. – Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, the 13th command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, visited Soldiers preparing to compete in the National Best Squad Competition.The Army... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, the 13th Army National Guard command sergeant major, talks with the 2024 Best Squad competitors as they prepare for this year's competition in Fort Moore, Ga. Sept. 24, 2023. The team practices weapons function checks training for the 2024 All-Army Best Squad Competition.

Hawaii Guard, Filipino Military Conduct Expert Exchange
September 30, 2024 — LAPU-LAPU, CEBU, PHILIPPINES – The Hawaii Army National Guard returned to the coastal city of Lapu-Lapu Sept. 16-20 for the third iteration of a State Partnership Program Rotary Wing exchange. This... MORE

Members of the Hawaii Army National Guard and Philippine Air Force gather together for the Rotary Wing Aviation Maintenance and Standardization Subject Matter Expert Exchange at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu, Philippines Sept. 16, 2024.

Louisiana Guard, State Police Conduct Aerial Firefighting Training
September 28, 2024 — NEW ORLEANS – Aviators from the Louisiana National Guard’s 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group partnered with the Louisiana State Police Sept. 25 to conduct aerial training on effectively using... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dino Parmentier, state standardization officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, inspects a water bucket with Louisiana State Police members during an aerial firefighting training exercise at the Joint Emergency Services Training Center in Zachary, La., Sept. 25, 2024.

Tennessee Guard Rescues Stranded Hospital Patients, Staff
September 28, 2024 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee National Guard is supporting the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and state, county and local first responders in the areas impacted by severe flooding following... MORE

Tennessee National Guard Soldiers from Nashville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion at the Elizabethton Municipal Airport prepare to transport Tennessee State Forestry personnel into areas affected by Hurricane Helene to begin debris removal Sept. 30, 2024.

Virginia National Guard Joins Exercise in South Korea
September 27, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1030th Transportation Battalion participated in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in the Republic of... MORE

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Gate City-based 1030th Transportation Battalion traveled to the Republic of Korea to participate in the multinational exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield Aug. 16-29, 2024, at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, Republic of Korea.

Kentucky National Guard Tests Skills in All-Hazards Exercise
September 27, 2024 — DISNEY TRAINING CENTER, Ky. - The Kentucky Army National Guard 751st Troop Command conducted an all-hazards exercise Sept. 14, using all aviation companies and detachments in scenarios aimed at their... MORE

Soldiers with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade pose for a photo with members of the Wolfe County search and rescue team and Red Star Wilderness emergency medical services at the Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky, Sept. 14, 2024. The Soldiers and the two rescue teams worked together in an all-hazards exercise to improve inoperability.

Texas Guard Conducts HIMARS Live-Fire Exercise in Estonia
September 27, 2024 — TAPA, Estonia—Soldiers from Task Force Voit, part of the 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, stood ready with their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System to... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Randy Garcia, a High Mobility Rocket System crewmember assigned to Alpha Battery, 4th Battalion, 133rd Field Artillery Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, supporting 1st Cavalry Division, unloads the rockets from his vehicle for a Table XII live-fire exercise near Tapa, Estonia, Sept. 19, 2024. The 1st Cavalry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe.

Alaska National Guard, Mongolia Strengthen Partnership
September 27, 2024 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - The Alaska Air National Guard’s 168th Wing and 176th Wing hosted nine members of the Mongolian Armed Forces and the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency to... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joseph Villa, 168th Wing combat arms Instructor, trades patches with Lt. Enkh-Ariun, Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency Air Search and Rescue Unit Number 111, foreign cooperation senior specialist, after exchanging best practices, skills and stories about their weapons firing exercises Sept. 19, 2024. The Alaska National Guard and Mongolia are partners in the State Partnership Program.

Missouri Guard Airman Aids Ailing Firefighter on Plane
September 26, 2024 — ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - On Sept. 2, while returning from a fire assignment in Oregon, Ben Wagner experienced a terrifying health scare midflight. Wagner, a U.S. Forest Service assistant fire management... MORE

From left, Ben Wagner, a U.S. Forest Service assistant fire management officer, Maj. Alana Taylor, a nurse practitioner with the 139th Medical Group, Missouri Air National Guard, and Jeff Taylor, Alana’s husband and a firefighter paramedic, share breakfast at an airport in Denver Sept. 2, 2024. Wagner was suffering from severe dehydration and exhaustion midflight when the Taylors stepped in to assist.

Indiana National Guard Soldiers Deploying to Middle East
September 26, 2024 — EDINBURGH, Ind. - Approximately 600 Indiana National Guard Soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division bid farewell to loved ones during a departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury Sept. 25.The division... MORE

Soldiers with the 38th Infantry Division's headquarters battalion stand for an invocation during their departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh, Indiana, Sept. 25, 2024. The Citizen-Soldiers will serve their country overseas in the Middle East supporting Operation Spartan Shield.

Wyoming Guard Aviators Sharpen Wildfire Response Skills in Training

West Virginia Guard Hosts Workshop to Address Potential Infrastructure Threats

Army Establishes New Fitness Test of Record to Strengthen Readiness and Lethality

Army Guard Region Three Soldiers Compete for Best Warrior

Ten Air Guard Units Participate in Operation Maverick’s Armistice