Guard News - The National Guard

Tennessee National Guard Supports Bulgaria’s F-16 Acquisition
February 7, 2025 — GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Bulgarian Air Force received its first batch of F-16 “Fighting Falcon” aircraft at Lockheed Martin’s production facility Jan. 31, marking a milestone in its efforts to modernize... MORE

Members of the Bulgarian Defense Ministry and the Tennessee Air National Guard pose for a photo after Bulgaria took delivery of its first batch of F-16 “Fighting Falcon” aircraft at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville, South Carolina, site, Jan. 31, 2025. Tennessee and Bulgaria have been partners in the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 1993.

Air Guard Conducts Sentry South-Southern Strike Exercise
February 7, 2025 — GULFPORT, Miss. – Approximately 500 service members from the Active, Guard and Reserve components of the U.S. military participated in exercise Sentry South-Southern Strike 2025 at the Gulfport Combat... MORE

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing marshals a C-130H Hercules at the Combat Readiness and Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, Feb. 5, 2025. Exercise Sentry South-Southern Strike is a joint military training focusing on contingency response operations, agile combat employment, aeromedical evacuation, maritime training, specialized fueling operations and strategic airlift and airdrops.

Swedish Soldiers Train with 42nd Infantry Division Partners
February 7, 2025 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Four Swedish army service members spent time with the 42nd Infantry Division learning about large-scale combat operations during a warfighting exercise from Jan. 24 to Feb... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jack A. James Jr., right, the commander of the New York National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division, speaks with Swedish Army soldiers during the division’s Warfighter 25-3 exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Jan. 31, 2025. The Swedish soldiers’ participation with the New York Army National Guardsmen during Warfighter Exercise 25-3 marks their second visit with the 42nd Infantry Division and their first experience working with the United States in a division-level warfighter exercise.

Oregon Guard Combat Medics Test Drone Delivery of Supplies
February 6, 2025 — WARRENTON, Ore. - Combat medics with the Oregon National Guard are adapting their battlefield medicine skills for large-scale combat operations through innovative training, including drone-delivered... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Day retrieves simulated blood supplies delivered by a blueflite drone while Sgt. Benjamin Keikkala provides security during a field training exercise at Camp Rilea, Oregon, Jan. 30, 2025. The innovative drone delivery system demonstrated rapid resupply capabilities for combat medics in tactical environments.

FEBEX 25 Prepares Air National Guard for Global Challenges
February 6, 2025 — CAMP BLANDING JOINT TRAINING CENTER, Fla. - Approximately 250 Air National Guard and active-duty Airmen participated in a rigorous three-day exercise to test their readiness for global contingencies... MORE

Airmen from the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing don protective gear as part of a training inject during February Exercise 2025 at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida, Jan. 31, 2025. FEBEX 25 is a comprehensive, multi-faceted annual training event planned and executed by the 202nd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadron.

Oklahoma Guard, Air Force Conduct Joint MEDEVAC Training
February 5, 2025 — OKLAHOMA CITY - Airmen from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, teamed up with Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, 90th Troop... MORE

Crew chiefs assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 169th Aviation Regiment, Oklahoma Army National Guard, and Airmen assigned to the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, escort simulated casualty patients to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a joint training exercise at the Glenwood Training Area in Oklahoma City, Jan. 28, 2025. During the exercise, combat medics from the 72nd Air Base Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, practiced patient stabilization, MEDEVAC calls and loading procedures while coordinating with the OKARNG pilots conducting helicopter insertions in austere environments.

Alaska Guard Deploys to Eastern Europe to Support NATO Allies
February 4, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The Alaska Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 297th Regional Support Group, will deploy about 80 Guardsmen to Eastern Europe for... MORE

Alaska Army National Guard Col. Michele Edwards and Command Sgt. Maj. Russel Throckmorton, the commander and command sergeant major of the 297th Regional Support Group, case the unit colors during a deployment ceremony at the Alaska National Guard Armory on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 24, 2025. The Alaska Army National Guard’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 297th RSG, will deploy approximately 80 Guardsmen on a nine-month mission to Eastern Europe to support U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.

Nevada Guard Airlift Wing Assists with Operation Deep Freeze
February 4, 2025 — CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - The 152nd Airlift Wing “High Rollers” from the Nevada Air National Guard achieved a historic first by participating in Operation Deep Freeze.The High Rollers supported the... MORE

The Nevada Air National Guard's High Rollers arrive in Antarctica Dec. 18, 2024, to support the annual U.S. military mission in Antarctica. They flew augmented max duty day missions, logging over 30 hours in three days.

Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers Deploying to Kuwait
February 4, 2025 — HARRISBURG, Pa. - More than 140 Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 3622nd Sustainment Maintenance Company were honored during a Feb. 1 deployment ceremony at the Zembo Shrine.Members of... MORE

More than 140 U.S. Soldiers with the Fort Indiantown Gap-based 3622nd Sustainment Maintenance Company are recognized during a ceremony Feb. 1, 2025, at the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The unit is departing for a year-long deployment to the Middle East.

Texas Combat Communications Squadron Enhances Readiness
February 4, 2025 — MINERAL WELLS, Texas - The 221st Combat Communications Squadron kicked off the nine-day 2025 FrostByte ACE Exercise at Fort Wolters Training Site Jan. 30, training to set up forward positions in... MORE

Members of the 221st Combat Communications Squadron depart a Texas Army National Guard CH-47F Chinook belonging to the 149th Aviation Battalion during Exercise FrostByte ACE at Fort Wolters Training Site, Mineral Wells, Texas, Jan. 30, 2025. The nine-day exercise enabled Airmen to train on setting up forward positions in austere locations.

New Jersey National Guard, Cyprus Strengthen Partnership
February 4, 2025 — CAMP PANTELI KATELARI, Cyprus - The New Jersey National Guard and the Republic of Cyprus National Guard’s 50th Communication Information Squadron exchanged best practices in cybersecurity and... MORE

Members of the New Jersey Air National Guard and National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus pose for a group photo during training on Nov. 21, 2024, at Camp Panteli Katelari, Cyprus. The Republic of Cyprus National Guard and the NJNG collaborated on NCO best practices.

Illinois Guard Unit to Support U.S. Army Europe and Africa
January 21, 2025 — SULLIVAN, Ill. - The Illinois Army National Guard’s 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element was activated Jan. 20 for deployment to Africa and Europe.A forward logistics element is a... MORE

Soldiers stand in formation during a mobilization ceremony for the 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element Jan. 20, 2025, at the Illinois Army National Guard's Readiness Center in Sullivan. The unit, with just over a dozen Soldiers, will support logistics for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

National Guard Members Continue LA Wildfire Response
January 21, 2025 — LOS ANGELES – U.S. Army Sgt. Ricardo Hernandez watched from a cross street as sporadic traffic passed on the Pacific Coast Highway near Pacific Palisades. The late afternoon sun glinted off his... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Bryce Carter, an infantryman with C Company, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, California Army National Guard, sharpens the blade of a hoe to clear brush and other debris as part of remediation efforts along the Mulholland Trail near Tarzana, California, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Jan. 18, 2025. Carter and other members of his unit were assisting CALFIRE in mop-up efforts, which included clearing brush and backfilling firebreaks and other areas to prevent mudslides and reduce the impact of firefighting efforts.

National Guard Bureau Leaders Meet With Guardsmen Supporting 60th Presidential Inauguration
January 20, 2025 — WASHINGTON – About 7,800 National Guard troops are on duty here as part of a large interagency presence to ensure the peaceful transition of power during the 60th Presidential Inauguration Monday,... MORE

Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, Army Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines, SEA to the CNGB, and Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director, Army National Guard, visit National Guardsmen on duty to support the 60th Presidential Inauguration as part of Joint Task Force – District of Columbia (JTF-DC), Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2025.

North Dakota Brothers Exchange Command of Engineer Company
January 17, 2025 — JAMESTOWN, N.D. - Capt. Ricky Kuhn relinquished command of the North Dakota National Guard's 817th Engineer Company (Sapper) to his older brother, Capt. Toby Kuhn, in a change of command ceremony Jan... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Ricky Kuhn, 817th Engineer Company, Sapper, outgoing commander, left, watches as Lt. Col. Steven Bohl, 164th Engineer Battalion commander, passes the 817th Engineer Company, Sapper, guidon to his older brother, Capt. Toby Kuhn, signifying the relinquishing of command, during the change of command ceremony in Jamestown, North Dakota, Jan. 12, 2025. The brothers enlisted into the U.S. Army at different times, but both commissioned in 2017.

42nd Infantry Division Heads to Warfighter Exercise
January 17, 2025 — TROY, N.Y. - More than 1,300 New York Army National Guard Soldiers head for Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Jan. 24 to take part in the Warfighter command post exercise.The Soldiers are part of the... MORE

Swedish military staff officers meet with leaders of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, during a command post exercise Nov. 21, 2024. The exercise was one of three command post exercises held to prepare for a division Warfighter exercise that begins Jan. 24, 2025.

National Guard Soldiers Prepare for Funeral Honors Duty
January 17, 2025 — VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Two Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers and two North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers trained on the basics of military funeral honors during a course hosted by the... MORE

Virginia and North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers train on the basics of military funeral honors during a course hosted by the Virginia National Guard Funeral Honors Program Dec. 12, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Military Funeral Honors Level 1 training is a five-day course that prepares Soldiers to conduct professional military funeral honors in accordance with service tradition.

Kentucky National Guard Military Police to Deploy Overseas
January 16, 2025 — RICHMOND, Ky. - Nearly 40 Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers said goodbye to loved ones at a deployment ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Richmond Jan. 4.Soldiers of the 617th Military... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Pettibone, of the 617th Military Police Company, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, places the guidon at the deployment ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Richmond, Kentucky, Jan. 4, 2025. Approximately 40 Soldiers with the 617th are deploying to the Middle East to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

California Guardsman Helps Battle Wildfires in His Community
January 16, 2025 — CHANNEL ISLANDS AIR NATIONAL GUARD STATION, Calif. - Amid the wildfire crisis in California, an Air National Guard member's resilience, dedication and commitment to service stand out.Master Sgt. Alan... MORE

Master Sgt. Alan Franklin, a commander's support Airman with the 146th Airlift Wing, speaks to 1st Lt. Aiden Flores about the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System mission on the flightline at Channel Islands Air National Guard Station, Port Hueneme, California, Jan. 13, 2025. MAFFS aircraft from the Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, the 152nd Airlift Wing, Reno, Nevada, the 146th Airlift Wing, Port Hueneme, California, and Air Force Reserve Command’s 302 AW, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, are working together to combat fires in the Los Angeles area.

New Jersey Guard Hosts U.S. Northern Command Joint Staff Training
January 16, 2025 — LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - The New Jersey National Guard hosted a U.S. Northern Command Joint Staff training course focused on the readiness of Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen to support emergency management... MORE

New Jersey National Guard members participate in a simulated training event during a Joint Staff training course conducted by North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command at the NJNG Joint Operations Center in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Jan. 12, 2025. The Joint Staff training course focused on the readiness of Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen to support emergency management in New Jersey and beyond.