Guard News - The National Guard

Wisconsin Guard, Papua New Guinea Strengthen State Partnership
June 9, 2023 — MADISON, Wis. - Five members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force visited the Wisconsin National Guard in early June as part of the Defense Department’s State Partnership Program, administered by the... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Kailani Trainor-Bird, right, aerospace medical technician with Detachment 1 of the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Medical Group, reviews Tactical Combat Casualty Care procedures with Warrant Officer Jerry Aihi and Maj. Louisa Wanma of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force June 6, 2023, at Truax Field in Madison, Wis. The training opportunity between the Wisconsin and Papua New Guinea medical professionals was part of the National Guard State Partnership Program,

Washington National Guardsman Makes All-Army Soccer Team
June 9, 2023 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Since childhood, being on the soccer field has always come naturally for Cpl. Matthew Solis. His natural talent has made him one of the most elite soccer players in the U.S. Army,... MORE

Cpl. Matthew Solis, a pharmacy technician with the 156th Information Operations Battalion, 56th Theater Information Operations Group, Washington National Guard, playing soccer with the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Football Club.

124th Warthogs Arrive at Exercise Air Defender
June 9, 2023 — LECHFELD AIR BASE, Germany - The 124th Fighter Wing touched down in southern Germany for Air Defender 2023, a collective defense exercise focused on Germany’s ability to command and control a... MORE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Mike Shufeldt, a pilot assigned to the 190th Fighter Squadron, 124th Fighter Wing, Idaho National Guard, conducts post-flight documentation on Lechfeld Air Base, Germany, in preparation for exercise Air Defender 2023 on June 6, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates U.S. and allied air-power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world.

Arkansas Airmen Complete Combative Training Exercise
June 9, 2023 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. - Members of the 188th Security Forces Squadron honed their combat skills during a rigorous combative training session June 8.The training exercise, which aligns... MORE

Tech Sgt. Onan Castro, top, and Master Sgt. Jordan Wiley, combative instructors of the 188th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrate defensive techniques during a training session June 8, 2023, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. Security Forces Airmen refine their skills in hand-to-hand combat and grappling maneuvers to excel in close-quarters combat scenarios.

Pennsylvania National Guard, Lithuania Celebrate 30-year Partnership
June 8, 2023 — HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania National Guard celebrated its 30-year military-to-military partnership with the Lithuanian Armed Forces as part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau... MORE

The Pennsylvania National Guard celebrated its 30-year military-to-military partnership with the Lithuanian Armed Forces as part of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program during a ceremony June 6, 2023, at the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg, Pa.

Cyber Yankee Prepares Military, Business for Cyber Threats
June 8, 2023 — NIANTIC, Conn. - In the face of rising cyber threats, the Department of Defense has increased its efforts to recruit and build cyber capabilities. According to the 2023 DOD Cyber Strategy, the... MORE

A cyber duty identifier patch is worn by U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Gordon Smith, a cyberspace operations officer assigned to the 101st Air Refueling Wing, Maine Air National Guard, inside the Regional Training Institute at Camp Nett, Niantic, Connecticut, May 17, 2023. Duty identifier patches, also known as duty identifier tabs, are developed by the Institute of Heraldry and are used to easily differentiate the special skill sets of U.S. Air Force Airmen.

IRT Hoosier Care Offers Free Medical Care to Community
June 8, 2023 — TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - An Innovative Readiness Training mission called IRT Hoosier Care provides vision exams, single-vision eyeglasses, dental exams and extractions and basic medical exams — including... MORE

Senior Airman Blessed Velasquez, left, and Airman 1st Class Samantha Heaton, right, both optometry technicians at Joint Base San Antonio, set up a horopter at the Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club in Terre Haute, Ind., June 6, 2023. Service members from across the globe are participating in an Innovative Readiness Training mission called IRT Hoosier Care that provides no-cost medical, dental and vision services to the public.

MAINEiacs Aim High During Arctic Challenge
June 7, 2023 — ØRLAND AIR BASE, Norway – The Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing, also known as the MAINEiacs, and 265th Combat Communication Squadron are participating in the Arctic Challenge... MORE

A Belgium F-16 maneuvers to receive more fuel midair from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Arctic Circle, June 7, 2023. The 101st Air Refueling Wing is taking part in Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023, a live fly exercise that serves to advance arctic security initiatives and enhance interoperability in the increasingly dynamic and contested region.

Massachusetts Guardsman Epitomizes Army ‘Be All You Can Be’
June 6, 2023 — FORT MOORE, Ga. – As the U.S. Army prepares to celebrate Army Heritage Month and its 248th birthday, Spc. Luca Norian, a Massachusetts National Guard Soldier, recently completed Basic Combat Training,... MORE

Spc. Luca Norian, an infantryman with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, enlisted in 2020 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Moore, Georgia, the summer before his senior year of high school. After graduation, he attended the Ranger Team Leader Initiative course, the Ranger Training Assessment Course, Ranger School, Airborne School and Pathfinder School.

Wisconsin Army Guard Soldiers Reflect on Africa Deployment
June 6, 2023 — CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - The Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) headquarters is approximately eight months into its deployment running the headquarters staff... MORE

Command Sgt. Maj. Duane Weyer, the senior enlisted leader for the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade currently deployed to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, observes Sgt. 1st Class Heather Carr, CJTF-HOA surgeon cell senior enlisted leader

New York Guard Completes Horn of Africa Security Mission
June 6, 2023 — CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti – The New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, celebrated a successful nine-month overseas deployment during a transfer of authority ceremony at... MORE

New York Army National Guard 1st Lt. Peter Clark, left, a member of D Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, goes over defense plans with the Kenyan Defense Force during a base defense drill on Camp Simba, Kenya, May 18, 2023. The Soldiers of Task Force Wolfhound, a security force based on the 69th Infantry, worked with the Kenyans to review actions in defense of the base.

Malaysia, U.S. Strengthen Ties at Bersama Warrior Exercise
June 6, 2023 — KUANTAN, Malaysia - The ninth annual Bersama Warrior exercise began June 6 with an opening ceremony led by Malaysian Armed Forces leaders and U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Johan Deutscher, director of the... MORE

Malaysian and U.S. Armed Forces service members complete a mission analysis during the staff exercise of Bersama Warrior 23 at the Joint Warfighting Center on Malaysian Armed Forces Headquarters Base, Kuantan, Padang, Malaysia, June 5, 2023. The annual Bersama Warrior exercise is sponsored by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and hosted by the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Maryland Army National Guard ‘Takes Flight’ with Raven
June 6, 2023 — JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Soldiers with the Maryland Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, trained with the RQ-11 Raven at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in... MORE

Sgt. Byme Taylor, 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment infantryman, launches an RQ-11 Raven at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey June 1, 2023. With a flight radius of 6.2 miles and the ability to reach speeds of 31 to 62 mph, the Raven provides better aerial reconnaissance than most drones.

Michigan Air National Guardsman Named NCO of the Year
June 5, 2023 — BATTLE CREEK AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. - Tech. Sgt. Jessica R. Brazionis, 217th Air Communications Squadron (ACOMS), Michigan Air National Guard, is the Air National Guard’s Outstanding... MORE

Tech. Sgt. Jessica R. Brazionis, 217th Air Communications Squadron information systems security manager, at Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Michigan, April 15, 2023. Brazionis is the ANG’s Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for 2022.

Vermont Guard Soldiers Return from NATO Exercise in Europe
June 5, 2023 — JERICHO, Vt. - Approximately 50 Vermont Army National Guard Soldiers returned from Slovenia June 3 after participating in NATO’s Exercise Immediate Response.The Soldiers from 86th Infantry Brigade... MORE

Mountaineers with the 1-157th Mountain Infantry Battalion, Colorado Army National Guard, work alongside NATO partners to showcase their abilities to distinguished visitors during DEFENDER 23 at Bohinjska Bela, Slovenia, May 25, 2023. DEFENDER 23 includes more than 7,000 U.S. and 17,000 multinational service members from more than 20 nations.

Guard Leaders Welcome Ukraine Family Support Organizers
June 2, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Virginia – Caring for those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine took a personal turn for National Guardsmen at the Temple Army Readiness Center recently.Members of TAPS Ukraine, a... MORE

Maj. Gen. Giselle Wilz, director of staff, National Guard Bureau (NGB), speaks with Bonnie Carroll, president and founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

SEA Whitehead Honors Families of the Fallen
June 2, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the chief of the National Guard Bureau, honored surviving military families May 26-29 during a Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors... MORE

Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony L. Whitehead, SEA to the chief, National Guard Bureau, cheers with surviving military children during the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors’ 29th Annual National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp, Arlington, Virginia, May 29, 2023. The seminar welcomes hundreds of surviving military families to the nation’s capital over Memorial Day weekend every year.

Virginia, West Virginia Guardsmen are Regional Best Warriors
June 2, 2023 — FORT BARFOOT, Va. - Virginia National Guard Staff Sgt. Dan Abbott and West Virginia National Guard Spc. Bret Williams took top honors in the five-day Army National Guard Region II Best Warrior... MORE

Army National Guard noncommissioned officers and Soldiers run the confidence course during the Region II Best Warrior Competition May 17, 2023, at Fort Barfoot, Virginia. The Soldiers and NCOs of the Year from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia competed for the right to represent the region at the national competition in Alaska in July.

New York Army National Guard MPs Aid Car Crash Victims
June 2, 2023 — MANORVILLE, N.Y. - Seven New York Army National Guard MPs worked together to help two people severely injured in a car accident on Long Island’s Sunrise Highway May 20.The Soldiers, assigned to the... MORE

Soldiers assigned to the 442nd Military Police Company, New York Army National Guard, came to the aid of two people injured in a car accident while on their way to training at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, N.Y., May 20, 2023.

Connecticut Guard Takes Holistic Approach to Fitness
June 1, 2023 — HARTFORD, Conn. - The Connecticut Army National Guard’s Fitness Improvement Program (FIP), run by 2nd Lt. Jeremy Slen and Staff Sgt. Ashton Christopher, intends to revitalize Army fitness culture and... MORE

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jeremy Slen, left, and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ashton Christopher, right, lead coordinators for the Connecticut Army National Guard's Fitness Improvement Program, inside the gym of the Governor William A. O’Neill Armory, Hartford, Connecticut, March 29, 2023. The program aims to revitalize fitness culture within the Connecticut National Guard and help Soldiers live a healthier, well-rounded lifestyle.