Guard News - The National Guard

Arizona Guard Helicopter Battalion Hones Wildfire Response Skills
March 13, 2026 — PICACHO, Ariz. – Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, participated in helicopter bucket training and qualification at Picacho Stage Field, Ariz., hosted... MORE

Soldiers with the 2-285th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Arizona National Guard, conduct helicopter bucket training and qualification in Picacho, Ariz., March 5, 2026.

Oregon Guard Specialized Team Boosts Chemical Leak Preparedness
March 13, 2026 — PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard's 102nd CBRN, or Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Defense Enhanced Response Force Package, also known as CERFP, participated in two recent... MORE

Clackamas and Gresham firefighters prepare to work in a contaminated zone by donning protective chemical suits during response procedures in an Air Monitoring Exercise on Feb. 26, 2026, in Clackamas, Oregon.

Washington Guard Hosts Annual Tribal Police, Counterdrug Conference
March 13, 2026 — TUMWATER, Wash. – With a focus on increasing public safety and reducing the availability of illegal drugs in Washington Tribes, the Washington National Guard’s Counterdrug Program held its annual... MORE

Maj. Andriy Karpenko, UAS/C-UAS officer, Washington National Guard Counterdrug Program, discusses different UAS, or unmanned aerial systems, operating systems with police officers at the 2026 Tribal Police Leadership & Counterdrug Conference March 10, 2026, at the Thurston County Readiness Center, Tumwater, Wash.

Army Guard Medics Strengthen Kosovo Clinic with Lifesaving Training
March 11, 2026 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – National Guard Soldiers assigned to NATO’s Kosovo Force, or KFOR, Regional Command-East’s Task Force Medical, provided lifesaving training to local health providers at a... MORE

Florida Army National Sgt. Benford Rosenfeldt, a combat medic and platoon sergeant assigned to Kosovo Force, or KFOR, Regional Command-East’s Task Force Medical, leads hands‑on lifesaving training for local health clinic providers in Obilić, Kosovo, on Feb. 24, 2026.

Kentucky National Guard ‘Ready for the Future,’ Army Guard Director Tells Leaders
March 11, 2026 — BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The director of the Army National Guard praised the Kentucky National Guard’s combat readiness, domestic response capabilities and international partnerships during remarks at the... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, shares his leadership philosophy with Kentucky Guardsmen at the 2026 National Guard Association of Kentucky conference at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, Ky., Feb. 28, 2026.

DC Guard Activates Unique Brigade to Strengthen Security in Nation’s Capital
March 10, 2026 — WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia National Guard activated the 260th Special Purpose Brigade March 7 at the D.C. Armory, establishing the only brigade in the U.S. Army specifically designed to... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers stand in formation during the 260th Special Purpose Brigade activation ceremony at the D.C. National Guard Armory in the District of Columbia on March 7, 2026.

North Carolina Airmen Demonstrate Combat Readiness
March 10, 2026 — NEW LONDON, N.C. – U.S. Airmen from the North Carolina Guard’s 145th Civil Engineer Squadron, or CES, participated in Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or BEEF, week 2026 at the Regional Training... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kateri T. Buser, 145th Civil Engineer Squadron, emergency management, dips a pH paper into the unknown liquid during Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or BEEF, week 2026 at the Regional Training Site, New London, N.C., Feb. 23-27, 2026.

Oklahoma Guard Wraps Up Fire Suppression Mission, Remains Ready
March 10, 2026 — OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma National Guard has wrapped up fire suppression operations after dry, windy conditions fueled wildfires throughout Oklahoma in February.The Guard’s response, which was... MORE

Oklahoma National Guard wildland firefighters conduct fire fighting operations near Talihinia, Oklahoma, Feb. 26, 2026.

Washington Guard, Royal Thai Army Strengthen Ties With Stryker Leader Exchange
March 10, 2026 — CHON BURI PROVINCE, Thailand – Six soldiers from the Washington Army National Guard partnered with members of the Royal Thai Army to conduct a Stryker Leader Course subject matter expert exchange Jan... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Mattern, 205th Regimental Training Institute, Washington Army National Guard discusses the rigging techniques of the Winch (Self) Recovery method with soldiers from the Royal Thai Army during a Stryker Leader Exchange on Feb. 2, 2026, in Chon Buri Province, Thailand.

President Trump Awards Medal of Honor to Retired Guard Soldier
March 6, 2026 — WASHINGTON — In a White House ceremony on March 2, 2026, President Donald J. Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson, U.S. Army, for his heroic actions on... MORE

President Donald Trump awards the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson during a White House ceremony.

Arkansas Airmen Sharpen Information Warfare Skills During Exercise
March 6, 2026 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – Several Arkansas Guard Airmen from Ebbing Air National Guard Base’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group recently participated in The One True... MORE

In June 2021, an MQ-9 participated in the concept-to-theory Establish Fury Exercise at the 188th Wing, in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Exercise Arctic Connect Validates Communication Across Alaska
March 6, 2026 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – In a state where communities are separated by vast terrain, and severe weather can isolate regions without warning, resilient communications are essential... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Pau, an information technology specialist assigned to the 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, Alaska Army National Guard, operates a high-frequency radio while participating in exercise Arctic Connect at the Alaska National Guard’s Joint Operations Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 3, 2026.

Exercise Cobra Gold Ends for US, Thailand Partners
March 6, 2026 — RAYONG, Thailand – The joint multinational military Exercise Cobra Gold 2026, held annually in Thailand, has successfully concluded after two weeks of intensive training, humanitarian efforts and... MORE

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Taihei Hongo, chief of staff, 10th Homeland Response Force and deputy Command and Control, conducts the Combined Forces Land Component Commanders Update Brief with Thai and Singaporean service members during Exercise Cobra Gold 2026 at Camp Red Horse, Rayong province, Thailand, March 2, 2026.

Arizona Guard Firefighters Participate in Emergency Exercise
March 5, 2026 — TUCSON, Ariz. – Firefighters from the Arizona Guard’s 162nd Wing participated in a full-scale emergency preparedness exercise Feb. 25 at Tucson International Airport.The exercise, hosted by Tucson... MORE

An aircraft trainer is engulfed in smoke and flames in preparation for a training exercise at Tucson International Airport, Tucson, Arizona, Feb. 25, 2026.

Minnesota Guard Strengthens Partnership, Trains in Norway’s Arctic Environment
March 5, 2026 — TRØNDELAG, Norway – One hundred Soldiers and Airmen from the Minnesota National Guard traveled to Norway for the 53rd Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange, or NOREX, an annual exchange that strengthens... MORE

After spending three nights at base camps near Haltdalen, Norway, members of NOREX 53 complete the ski march up the mountain on Feb. 9, 2026.

Texas Army Guard Hosts Safety Leaders on Readiness
March 4, 2026 — SAN ANTONIO – Army National Guard safety professionals from across the country gathered Feb. 24-26 to discuss how to keep Soldiers safe while maintaining readiness.They gathered at Martindale Army... MORE

Army National Guard safety professionals participate in a classroom discussion during the Army National Guard Safety Orientation and Mentorship Course at Martindale Army Airfield Armory in San Antonio.

Army National Guard Director Visits With Alaska Guard Soldiers
March 4, 2026 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – When Alaska Army National Guard Land Component Commander Col. Aaron Kelsey greeted Director of the Army National Guard Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs at the entrance of... MORE

Lt. Gen. Jon Stubbs, director of the Army National Guard, takes a question from an Alaska Army National Guard Soldier Feb. 20, 2026, at the Alaska Army National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Pennsylvania Guard Trains Future Combat Medics
March 4, 2026 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The latest class of future combat medics is nearing completion of the 68W Healthcare Specialist Military Occupational Specialty Transition course at the Pennsylvania... MORE

Soldiers participate in a culminating event exercise as a part of the 68W Healthcare Specialist Military Occupational Specialty Transition course at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, March 1, 2026.

Arkansas Guard Strengthens Readiness During Sentry South
March 3, 2026 — GULFPORT, Miss. – Airmen from the Arkansas National Guard’s 188th Wing Operations Group strengthened their combat capabilities during Exercise Sentry South 26-2, a large-scale National Guard-led... MORE

Airmen from the 188th Wing Operations Group put their skills to the test during Exercise Sentry South 26-2 in Gulfport, Mississippi, training alongside joint and international partners in a dynamic, contested environment.

Georgia Air National Guard Wing Executes Swift Fire Mission
March 2, 2026 — SAVANNAH, Ga. – Airmen of the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, responded just before 7 p.m. Feb. 22, to contain a rapidly spreading brush fire located on the Savannah/Hilton Head... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Xavier Gordan, left, and Airman 1st Class Autumn Lopez, right, both fire protection specialists assigned to the 165th Civil Engineer Squadron, 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, stow a fire hose after responding to a simulated aircraft fire during an employment exercise at the Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, Feb. 8, 2026.