Guard News - The National Guard

South Carolina Guard Airman Receives Bronze Star Medal
November 27, 2023 — MCENTIRE JOINT NATIONAL GUARD BASE, S.C. - Master Sgt. Christopher Vine with the 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron was recently awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his achievements while deployed to... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Vine, a radar, airfield, and weather systems technician with the 245th Air Traffic Control Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina Air National Guard, is presented the Bronze Star Medal from Lt. Col. Zachary Counts, the 245th ATCS commander, Oct. 15, 2023. Vine received the award for his achievements while deployed to Iraq in 2022.

Minnesota Air Guard Security Forces Train on High-Tech Drone
November 27, 2023 — CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. - The 133rd Security Forces Squadron became the first National Guard unit to certify on the Skydio X2D drone in November.“The strategic plan for the Air Force going forward is to... MORE

The 133rd Security Forces Squadron out of St. Paul, Minnesota, completed initial training for the Skydio X2D drone at Camp Ripley Training Center in Little Falls, Minnesota, Nov. 13-15, 2023. The eight enlisted Airmen are the first National Guard troops to become certified on the X2D drone.

Guam Guard Hosts Central Pacific Cybersecurity Summit
November 27, 2023 — MANGILAO, Guam - Over 100 cybersecurity stakeholders gathered at the University of Guam for the 2024 Central Pacific Cybersecurity Summit, hosted by the Guam National Guard Nov. 6-7.Representatives... MORE

Federal, military, local government, and civilian stakeholders participate in the 2024 Central Pacific Cybersecurity Summit at the University of Guam, Nov. 6, 2023. Hosted by the Guam National Guard, the summit aimed to enhance local and national security by integrating cyber defense to deter adversaries and improve cyber resiliency.

Team Fairchild Demonstrates Readiness During Titan Fury
November 24, 2023 — FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. - Airmen assigned to the 92nd and the 141st Air Refueling Wings conducted exercise Titan Fury 24-1 Nov. 13-17.Airmen demonstrated how support activities contribute to... MORE

Airman 1st Class Ryan Howlett, left, and Senior Airman Keith Beamon, crew chiefs assigned to the 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, drain a drogue of residual fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Titan Fury 24-1 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Nov. 13, 2023. Titan Fury is a recurring total force exercise that ensures Fairchild’s Airmen are trained and ready to support strategic deterrence and the National Defense Strategy.

New York National Guard, Danish Military Plan Joint Training
November 22, 2023 — LATHAM, N.Y. - The New York National Guard and the Danish military command responsible for patrolling Greenland plan to conduct joint training, key leader discussions and exchanges in 2024 and... MORE

Danish Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, commander of Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, left, and Army Maj. Gen. Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, shake hands at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham Nov. 7, 2023, after signing a statement of intent to establish joint training and exchanges in Greenland.

U.S. and Pacific Joint Forces Train Together
November 22, 2023 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Joint Forces from across the United States and the Pacific participated in a large-scale joint training exercise Nov. 1-10 that included the largest airdrop in... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, exit a C-17 Globemaster III during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-1 at March Air Reserve Base, California, Oct. 28, 2023. JPMRC 24-1 included over 5,300 participants from the U.S. Joint Force, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Thailand.

New York Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing Leads Holiday Parade
November 21, 2023 — SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing acted as grand marshal of Schenectady’s 54th annual holiday parade.Over 50 Airmen, led by Col. Christian Sander, wing... MORE

A float built and accompanied by over 50 Airmen of the 109th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard, navigates the route of the city of Schenectady's 2023 Holiday Parade. The wing served as grand marshal in celebration of the unit's 75th anniversary.

Nevada Guard Supports Safety at Las Vegas Grand Prix
November 21, 2023 — LAS VEGAS – The Nevada National Guard executed Operation Silver Circuit, a comprehensive mission dedicated to ensuring safety and security during the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.About 90... MORE

Members of the 72nd Military Police Company, Nevada National Guard, pose for a photo with state command leaders in Las Vegas Nov. 17, 2023. The 72nd MPs enhanced security at the Las Vegas Strip for the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Connecticut Guard Completes Mission Systems Operator Conversion
November 21, 2023 — ORANGE, Conn. - The 103d Air Control Squadron of the Connecticut Air National Guard is the first National Guard unit to complete the mission systems operator conversion. The squadron will be involved... MORE

Connecticut Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Payton Kelley, a mission systems operator assigned to the 103d Air Control Squadron, monitors radar and electronic systems to assist pilots conducting defensive counter-air operations during a training exercise at Orange Air National Guard Station, Orange, Connecticut, Oct. 31, 2023. As a mission systems operator, Kelley detects, tracks, identifies, plots and disseminates information in the battle management area to assist friendly pilots and ground forces.

NY Guard Helps Prepare Georgia Guard for Aircraft Conversion
November 20, 2023 — WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. - New York Air National Guard Airmen of the 106th Rescue Wing’s maintenance squadron spent a month teaching the ins and outs of C-130J maintenance to members of the Georgia Air... MORE

An Airman from the New York Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing Maintenance Group trains members of the Georgia Air National Guard 165th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group on the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, Nov. 14, 2023. The 165th Airlift Wing is converting from the C-130H model.

NY Guardsmen Help 10th Mountain Division Soldiers Test CBRN Skills
November 20, 2023 — LATHAM, N.Y. – Ten Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division’s Dismounted Chemical Reconnaissance Team refined their skills alongside 16 Airmen and Soldiers from the New York National Guard’s 2nd Civil... MORE

Senior Airman Karlie Foster, 2nd Civil Support Team, New York National Guard, trains Soldiers from the Dismounted Chemical Reconnaissance Platoon of the 10th Mountain Division how to use oxygen masks during a training exercise at the Colonie Fire Training Center in Latham, New York, Nov 17, 2023.

Mechanics Help DC National Guard Maintain Readiness
November 20, 2023 — WASHINGTON - Pfc. Marques Downing thrives on a good challenge, problem-solving and constant change. He spent most of the past two years working in information technology, studying the latest computer... MORE

Dozens of wheeled vehicle mechanics keep tactical vehicles operational at the District of Columbia National Guard’s Combined Support Maintenance Shop at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Oct. 21, 2023.

Alaska National Guard’s Operation Santa Claus Makes Lifesaving Detour
November 17, 2023 — BETHEL, Alaska - The Alaska National Guard’s annual community outreach program, Operation Santa Claus, took an unexpected turn this year as its mission to bring holiday joy to the village of Tuluksak... MORE

Holly Demmert, left, and Clifton Dalton, flight paramedics with LifeMed, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bryan Kruse, Bethel Army Aviation Operating Facility commander, move a critically ill patient from an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to an ambulance during a medical evacuation from Napaskiak to Bethel Nov. 15, 2023.

Lousiana Guard Soldier a Proud Native American
November 17, 2023 — PINEVILLE, La. – November is Native American and Alaskan Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge the rich and diverse cultures and histories of native Alaskans and Native Americans.Louisiana Army... MORE

Louisiana Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Bruce A. Phillips Jr., from Port Sulphur, Louisiana, is a proud Native American who has more than 21 years of service.

Washington Guard, Tribal Emergency Managers Test Joint Response
November 16, 2023 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The Washington National Guard, tribal emergency managers and other first responders tested their disaster response capabilities Oct. 8 in an exercise involving the simulated leak... MORE

Multiple agencies take part in a group discussion during the Evergreen Spill Tabletop Exercise in Airway Heights, Wash., Nov. 8, 2023. This exercise tested the response of the Washington National Guard, Tribal emergency managers and state and federal agencies to a hypothetical hazardous waste spill on the Colville Indian Reservation.

New York National Guard, Brazil Army Train Together
November 16, 2023 — MACAPA, Brazil - The New York Army National Guard Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Brazilian Army field artillery... MORE

U.S. and Brazilian Army field artillery Soldiers pose for photo in Ferreira Gomes, Brazil, Nov. 12, 2023. The two State Partnership Program partners trained together during exercise Southern Vanguard 24 to enhance interoperability and shared capabilities.

Native American Promoted to South Dakota Guard Sergeant Major
November 16, 2023 — RAPID CITY, S.D. – Elizabeth “Promise” Crawford was promoted to the rank of sergeant major in the South Dakota Army National Guard during a ceremony on Camp Rapid Nov. 9. “It gives me great pleasure... MORE

Elizabeth “Promise” Crawford was promoted to the rank of sergeant major in the South Dakota Army National Guard by Larry Wetsit during a ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Rapid, Rapid City, S.D., Nov. 9, 2023. She is the first female Native American sergeant major in the SDNG.

State Partnership Program NCO Honored for International Efforts
November 15, 2023 — CARSON CITY, Nev. – When she received an out-of-the-blue invitation to the College of Southern Nevada’s Spotlight of Excellence award ceremony, Nevada Air Guard Tech. Sgt. Hannah Kasner was baffled... MORE

Nevada Air Guard Tech. Sgt. Hannah Kasner works the security detail safeguarding Air Force One while it was in Reno, Nevada, in 2020. Kasner was honored by the College of Southern Nevada in October 2023 for her work linking the college and Fiji National University under the State Partnership Program.

Alaska Air National Guard Rescues Injured Snowmachiner
November 14, 2023 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - Alaska Air National Guardsmen rescued an injured snowmachiner Nov. 6 near Livengood, about 40 miles north of Fairbanks.The uninjured member of the two-member... MORE

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron takes off at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Oct. 26, 2022. The Rescue Squadron conducts search and rescue missions and provides rescue support in Alaska’s arctic conditions.

New York Guard Airman Honored for Rescuing Car Crash Victim
November 14, 2023 — SYRACUSE, N.Y. – U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joshua Carter, director of the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Operations Support Squadron’s commander’s action group, received the New York State Medal... MORE

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joshua Carter, the director of the 174th Operations Support Squadron's commander's action group, is presented with the New York State Medal for Valor during an award ceremony at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse Nov. 8, 2023. Carter received the award for his lifesaving actions while responding to a car accident last year. Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, New York adjutant general, and Maj. Gen. Denise Donnell, commander of the New York Air National Guard, presented the award.