Guard News - The National Guard - Apr 2026

Polish Soldier Wins Illinois National Guard Best Warrior Competition
April 6, 2026 — MARSEILLES, Ill. – Polish Territorial Defense Forces Soldier Mateusz, whose rank and surname have been omitted to comply with the Polish Territorial Defense Forces policy, traveled across the Atlantic... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Kelly, the senior enlisted leader of the Illinois Army National Guard, presents the Illinois Army National Guard’s 2026 Soldier of the Year award to Polish Territorial Defense Forces Soldier Mateusz. Competitors from the Illinois National Guard and the Polish Territorial Defense Force, partnered through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, participated in the 2026 Illinois Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held March 26-29, 2026, at the Marseilles Training Area. Photo by Sgt. Haesi Fanizzo.

Missouri Guardsman Renders 6,500 Military Funeral Honors
April 6, 2026 — JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – U.S. Air National Guard Senior Master Sgt. Karen Mitchell has stood before grieving families approximately 6,500 times during her 18 years with the Missouri Military Funeral... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Karen Mitchell, member of the Missouri Military Funeral Honors Program, Missouri Air National Guard, prepares to fold a ceremonial flag, March 26, 2026, in St. Louis. Mitchell has served 42 years in the Missouri Air National Guard. Photo by Master Sgt. Stephanie Mundwiller

Colorado Air National Guard Engineers Fortify Indo-Pacific Theater
April 6, 2026 — AURORA, Colo. – From the historic runways of a World War II island to the austere outback of Australia, a specialized unit of the Colorado Air National Guard has been quietly setting the stage for... MORE

Tennessee Guardsmen Begin Driver Training on New Infantry Squad Vehicles
April 3, 2026 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Guardsmen from the Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Cavalry Regiment became the state’s first licensed drivers on the new Infantry Squad Vehicle, or ISV, during training held at... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Strawn and Sgt. Luke Guy, both Guardsmen with the Tennessee National Guard’s 278th Cavalry Regiment, learn to operate the new Infantry Squad Vehicle during training to become some of the state’s first licensed drivers at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, April 1, 2026.

Colorado Guard Deploys for Peacekeeping Mission in Middle East
April 3, 2026 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard hosted a departure ceremony April 3 for more than 200 Soldiers of the Colorado Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment (Mountain)... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with Company A, 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry Regiment, Colorado Army National Guard, train on infantry tactics in Gurnsey, Wyoming, in preparation for a deployment, Oct. 15-25, 2020.

Indiana Guard Innovation Accelerates Timeline for Combat Attack System
April 3, 2026 — INDIANAPOLIS – In an unprecedented demonstration of rapid innovation, the Indiana National Guard hosted the Technology and Readiness Experimentation, or T-REX, framework that was instrumental in... MORE

In an unprecedented demonstration of rapid innovation, the Indiana National Guard hosted the Technology and Readiness Experimentation, or T-REX, framework that was instrumental in advancing the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or LUCAS, from a public demonstration to operational employment in seven months.

Tennessee Guardsmen Rescue Visitor in National Park
April 3, 2026 — LOUISVILLE, Tenn. – A flight crew with the Tennessee Army National Guard’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion rescued a park visitor experiencing cardiac arrest April 1 in the Great Smoky Mountains... MORE

A Tennessee Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk lifts off from the Dillons Gap parking lot along Kuwohi Road, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, to airlift a park visitor experiencing cardiac arrest to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, April 1, 2026.

Connecticut Guard Officers Compete in Best Warrior Competition for the First Time
April 1, 2026 — HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut National Guard allowed officers to compete in its annual Best Warrior Competition for the first time alongside its non-commissioned officers and enlisted Soldiers,... MORE

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Luis Rodriguez-Veras, winner of the inaugural Connecticut Officer of the Year competition, completes the chin-up test during the physical events portion of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, or GAFPB, at the Naval Submarine Base New London, March 28, 2026.

Florida Air Defense Battalion Trains With 82nd Airborne in First Minuteman Rotation
April 1, 2026 — FORT POLK, La. – Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment trained alongside the 82nd Airborne Division during a combat training center... MORE

Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment pose for a unit photo outside of the "Tigerland" sign at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, on March 22, 2026.

Massachusetts Guard Supports World Cup Security

Air Guardsmen Strengthen Financial Management Readiness

Utah, Nevada National Guard Aviators Help Airlift Dinosaur Fossils

Pennsylvania, Connecticut Guardsmen Sharpen Close-Combat Skills

Montana Guard Conducts Joint Sling Load Training