Guard News - The National Guard

Virginia National Guard, Finnish Army Expand Relationship
October 25, 2024 — FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Virginia National Guard leaders hosted Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki, commander of the Finnish Army, Oct 12 in support of the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership... MORE

Virginia National Guard leadership hosts Lt. Gen. Pasi Välimäki, commander of the Finnish Army, during a bilateral engagement, Oct 12, 2024, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The visit supported the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

Air Force Major Serves as Vietnam Bilateral Affairs Officer
October 24, 2024 — SALEM, Ore. – When the opportunity to become the bilateral affairs officer for Vietnam arose, Oregon National Guard Air Force Maj. Angie Hayes jumped at the chance to live abroad and serve her country... MORE

Oregon Air National Guard Maj. Angie Hayes, the bilateral affairs officer, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, speaks with a member of the Vietnamese delegation following the opening ceremony for the 2024 Disaster Management Engagement Activity at Hue University of Education in Hue, Vietnam June, 10, 2024. The Oregon National Guard and Vietnam have been partners since 2012 through the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program.

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Assumes KFOR East Command
October 23, 2024 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - U.S. Army Col. Jason Baker, the NATO-led Kosovo Force Regional Command East commander, relinquished command to U.S. Army Col. Peter Helzer during a transfer of authority... MORE

Brig. Gen. Cahit Irican , deputy commander of the NATO-led Kosovo Force mission, presided over the transfer of authority ceremony of KFOR Regional Command East at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Oct. 22, 2024. Col. Jason Baker, commander of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard, relinquished command of KFOR RC-E to Col. Peter D. Helzer, commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard.

New York Guard Helps Floridians Recover from Hurricane
October 22, 2024 — PALMETTO, Fla. – Forty-three New York Army National Guard Soldiers spent a week assisting the Florida National Guard’s response to Hurricane Milton.The Soldiers helped clear debris and set up fuel and... MORE

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Tyler Linendoll, an infantryman assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, cuts downed tree branches with a chainsaw following Hurricane Milton in Palmetto, Florida, Oct. 11, 2024. Soldiers from the 27th IBCT worked with members of the Florida Army National Guard to provide relief to communities impacted by the hurricane.

New Mexico National Guard Helps Rescue Flood Victims
October 22, 2024 — ROSWELL, N.M. - The New Mexico National Guard, working with county and state agencies responding to extreme flooding in and around Roswell, has rescued over 300 people.Over 75 New Mexico National... MORE

The New Mexico National Guard Community Emergency Response Team helps with flood recovery operations around Roswell Oct. 20, 2024, checking submerged vehicles for anyone who might need help. The Guard has helped rescue over 300 people from the extreme flooding.

From Ohio to Alaska, Airmen Unite for Space Intelligence
October 22, 2024 — FAIRBANKS, Alaska - From the heart of Ohio to the rugged Alaskan terrain, the Polar Surge exercise is uniting Airmen, Guardians and coalition forces in pursuit of unparalleled space intelligence... MORE

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 126th Intelligence Squadron support and train Airmen and Guardians of the 213th Space Warning Squadron at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska, June 21, 2024, as part of the Polar Surge partnership. The joint effort between the 178th Wing and 213th provides space surveillance data to the NORAD Space Control Center.

Oregon Guard Infantry Regiment Mobilized for Egypt Mission
October 22, 2024 — ASHLAND, Ore. – Nearly 200 Oregon National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, were formally mobilized Oct. 20 as part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission... MORE

Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, take part in their formal mobilization ceremony Oct. 20, 2024, at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. The 1-168th Infantry Regiment is deploying to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt for a peacekeeping mission.

National Guard Bureau Hosts Cybersecurity Awareness Panel
October 21, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Everybody plays a role in cybersecurity, National Guard and Department of Defense officials emphasized during a panel discussion on cybersecurity Oct. 16 at the Herbert R. Temple Army... MORE

Kenneth McNeill, the chief information officer with the National Guard Bureau, responds to a question during a panel discussion on cybersecurity at the Herbert R. Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington Hall Station in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 16, 2024. The panel included cyber officials from throughout the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security and was held as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Alaska Air Guard Conducts Communications Out Exercise
October 21, 2024 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - The 168th Wing conducted a vital training exercise to sharpen skills operating without radios or cell phones Oct. 17-18.The communications out exercise tested the... MORE

Master Sgt. Cody Albert of the 168th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communicates to his wingmen while preparing the KC-135 Stratotanker for an aerial refueling flight during a communications out exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 18, 2024. The exercise was designed to sharpen skills in operating without radios.

National Guard Leaders See Guardsmen Answer the Call
October 18, 2024 — MORGANTON, N.C. – The National Guard’s top officer ceremoniously assumed his new role Tuesday. His first order of business Wednesday was to spend time with National Guardsmen supporting communities... MORE

Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, meets with Florida National Guard leaders and Guardsmen mobilized in Tampa, Florida, to help communities affected by Hurricane Milton Oct. 16, 2024.

New York Air Guard Launches 37th Antarctic Support Mission
October 18, 2024 — SCOTIA, N.Y. - The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing began its 37th year supporting science research in Antarctica as five LC-130H “Skibirds” and 110 Airmen departed Stratton Air... MORE

Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing prepare to depart for Operation Deep Freeze with LC-130 Hercules aircraft from Scotia, N.Y., Oct.17, 2024. Operation Deep Freeze is an annual U.S. Pacific Air Forces-led joint interagency mission to provide logistical and transportation support to the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic program.

National Guard Bureau Chief Names Senior Enlisted Advisor
October 18, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines is the National Guard Bureau’s next senior enlisted advisor, Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief, National Guard Bureau, announced Oct... MORE

Command Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, Cmd. Sgt. Maj. John T. Raines, delivers remarks during the AUSA Sergeant Major of the Army Professional Development Forum at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Oct. 16, 2024.

Pennsylvania National Guard Rehearses Air Medevac
October 18, 2024 — GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, participated in an... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Jazmyne Wanger, a combat medic specialist with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard, tends to a simulated wounded Soldier while an HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter draws near the pickup site during an air medevac exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area Oct. 11, 2024.

Nebraska Air Guard Honors WWII Pilot with Heritage Jet
October 17, 2024 — SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing brought history to life last month at the Central Coast AirFest, unveiling a KC-135R Stratotanker in a special heritage... MORE

Jim Kunkle, World War II U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, at the Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Airport in Santa Maria, California, Sept. 21, 2024. The 155th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135 has a heritage paint scheme honoring Kunkle, who received the Distinguished Service Cross for engaging 20 German aircraft and downing two of them.

North Carolina Guard Clears Roads after Tropical Storm Helene
October 16, 2024 — NEBO, N.C. - “The troops are here!” said Western North Carolina resident Rick Brite, who watched as a group of North Carolina National Guardsmen approached his property with reinforcements and heavy... MORE

North Carolina National Guardsmen with the 113th Sustainment Brigade and the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team conduct bridge-building operations in Nebo, N.C., Oct. 9, 2024, to connect roads for residents following Tropical Storm Helene.

California Air Guard Helps Rescue Critically Injured Mariner
October 16, 2024 — MOFFETT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Calif. - In a remarkable display of coordination and teamwork, the 129th Rescue Wing executed a high-stakes medical evacuation Oct. 9, rescuing an unconscious merchant... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, mobilize for an overwater rescue operation at Moffett Air National Guard Base, Calif., Oct. 9, 2024.

Air Force Gen. Nordhaus Assumes Role of Chief, National Guard Bureau
October 15, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus assumed responsibility as chief of the National Guard Bureau during a ceremony Tuesday at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.Navy Adm. Christopher Grady,... MORE

Navy Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hosts the assumption of responsibility ceremony for the chief of the National Guard Bureau, Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 15, 2024. Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus will serve as the 30th CNGB and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, succeeding Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, who retired in August.

Maryland Air Guard Leads Emergency Management Exercise
October 15, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. - Airmen from the Maryland Air National Guard hosted a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response exercise with regional partners at two Maryland National Guard training... MORE

Maryland Air National Guard Airman Faith Anderson, emergency management specialist, 175th Civil Engineer Squadron, West Virginia Air National Guard; Master Sgt. Ryan Hodges, emergency management specialist, 167th Civil Engineer Squadron; and District of Columbia Air National Guard Master Sgt. Adam Stanton, emergency management specialist, 113th Civil Engineer Squadron, practice field lab techniques during an exercise at the Blum Military Reservation in Glen Arm, Maryland, Sept. 26, 2024.

Florida National Guard Responds to Storms in and out of State
October 15, 2024 — STARKE, Fla. - The end of September and beginning of October proved to be a heavy lift for Soldiers and Airmen of the Florida National Guard when Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton made landfall... MORE

Florida Army National Guard Soldiers prepare for a flight during Hurricane Helene support missions at Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Florida Sept. 29, 2024. Members of the 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion provided aerial capabilities for an Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Florida National Guard Assists Tornado Victims
October 13, 2024 — FORT PIERCE, Fla. - The Florida National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, quickly mobilized to respond to a series of tornadoes that touched down near Fort Pierce Oct. 10 as Hurricane... MORE

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, deliver water, meals and non-perishable goods to senior citizens in the Spanish Lake community in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Oct. 11, 2024. The state of Florida established point of distribution centers throughout Florida and deployed staging areas to ensure supplies were available to those in need.