Guard News - The National Guard

Oklahoma Guard Sharpens Drone Warfare Tactics During Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0
September 18, 2025 — CAMP GRUBER TRAINING CENTER, Okla. — Drones buzzed overhead as Oklahoma National Guard Soldiers and Airmen maneuvered strategically through a wooded area. They advanced slowly toward their objective –... MORE

A U.S. Soldier with the Oklahoma Army National Guard launches a drone during Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center, Okla., Sept. 13, 2025.

Alaska Air Guard Conducts Three Rescue Missions in 24 Hours
September 18, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members from the 176th Wing rescued five individuals involved in three incidents Sept. 15 that spanned more than 550 miles across... MORE

An Alaska Air National Guard combat rescue officer (CRO) assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron descends over Malemute Drop Zone during a capabilities exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 25, 2024. CROs, pararescuemen, and search, evasion, resistance, and escape specialists of the 212th RQS — known collectively as Guardian Angels — are experts in personnel recovery operations and are trained to infiltrate behind enemy lines to extract isolated U.S. and allied personnel.

Georgia Guard Engineers Deploy in Support of USAFRICOM
September 18, 2025 — HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA. - A send-off ceremony was held Sept. 17 for the Georgia Army National Guard’s 863rd Engineer Utilities Detachment, which is deploying in support of United States Africa... MORE

Georgia Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major John Ballenger and Colonel Christopher Powell, commander of the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, shake hands with Soldiers of the 863rd Engineer Utilities Detachment as they board a plane for training at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., before the unit's mobilization in support of United States Africa Command.

Task Force Beautification Teams With Advisory Neighborhood Commission in the District’s Ward 8
September 18, 2025 — WASHINGTON — Soldiers and Airmen from the District of Columbia National Guard worked shoulder to shoulder with Ward 8 residents, volunteers and local leaders Sept. 13, marking Task Force... MORE

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, and members of Task Force Beautification join Ward 8 residents, volunteers, and 8B06 Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) members for a pop-up community clean-up in Washington, D.C., Sept. 13, 2025.

Connecticut Guard Squadron Assists Mortuary Mission at Dover Air Force Base
September 17, 2025 — EAST GRANBY, Conn. - During the last five months, Connecticut National Guard members of the 103rd Force Support Squadron have been deployed to a uniquely impactful tasking at Dover Air Force Base in... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. David Torres, Tech. Sgt. Michael Barkman, Senior Master Sgt. Vitaliy Gorbachyk, Staff Sgt. Eduardo Rosado, Staff Sgt. Richard Pyrdol and Capt. Jeffrey McDonald, all members of the 103rd Airlift Wing’s Force Support Squadron, stand together while serving the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations mission Sept. 15, 2025.

New York Guard Aviators Show Skills During West Point Demonstration
September 17, 2025 — WEST POINT, N.Y. - Three months of New York Army National Guard aircrews training with the active-component Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division, the Army’s air assault experts, wrapped up Aug. 28... MORE

A New York Army National Guard UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter hovers above The Plain at the United States Military Academy at West Point on August 28, 2025 as Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) fast rope down to the ground during a capabilities demonstration for cadets.

Louisiana Guard, UK Soldiers’ Training Builds Readiness in Kosovo
September 17, 2025 — CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo — On the surface, they come from different worlds, one a U.K. combat medic on her first operational deployment, the other a seasoned U.S. Army flight paramedic with hundreds of... MORE

Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East’s (KFOR RC-E) 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) aircrew members trained alongside KFOR RC-E British forces in hot and cold load operations at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Aug. 25, 2025.

Oregon Guard Advances Drone Capabilities With New Training Systems
September 16, 2025 — RAYMOND REES NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING CENTER, Ore. – The Oregon Army National Guard is transforming its unmanned aircraft systems training at the 249th Regional Training Institute, introducing advanced... MORE

Peter DeJoseph, left, a Red Cat flight trainer, observes as Staff Sgt. First Class Gregory Mannen, center, and Staff Sgt. Timothy Powers operate the Flightwave Edge 130 unmanned aircraft system during training at the 249th Regional Training Institute, Rees Training Center, Oregon, Sept. 4, 2025.

Washington Guard Hosts Visit From Royal Malaysian Air Force Deputy Chief
September 16, 2025 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - The Washington National Guard welcomed a senior delegation from Malaysia as part of its long-standing partnership Sept. 11 – 13 at Camp Murray and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash... MORE

Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard, and Lt. Gen. Nur Hafis bin Abdul Karim, deputy chief of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, exchange gifts during an office visit Sept. 12, 2025, at Camp Murray, Wash.

Colorado Guard, Switzerland Become Partners in Program
September 15, 2025 — CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Swiss Confederation and Colorado National Guard have officially become state partners under the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program or SPP.A... MORE

Army Updates Standards for Appearance, Grooming, Uniform Wear in New Directive
September 15, 2025 — WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army announced an update to its appearance, grooming, and uniform wear standards policy in a new directive resulting from a force-wide review of military standards. The updated... MORE

Spc. Brianna Coombs, 237th Military Police Company, New Hampshire Army National Guard, stands in formation during a departure ceremony

Kansas Guard Joins Armenian Partners for Eagle Partner 2025
September 15, 2025 — YEREVAN, ARMENIA — Building on more than 20 years of cooperation through the Department of War National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, Soldiers and Airmen of the Kansas National Guard... MORE

Kansas Army National Guard Soldiers conduct medical training with Soldiers from the Republic of Armenia during Exercise Eagle Partner 2025 in August.

Pennsylvania Guard Hosts Helicopter Orientation for Emergency Responders
September 15, 2025 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Army National Guard conducted a helicopter orientation training event for emergency responders Sept. 11 at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 and Muir... MORE

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard provides a unique training experience for more than 120 firefighters and rescue personnel.

Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 Tests Oklahoma Guard's Unmanned Aerial System Capabilities
September 15, 2025 — CAMP GRUBER TRAINING CENTER, Okla. - Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Soldiers put their tactics, techniques and procedures to the test Sept. 13 during Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0,... MORE

Unmanned aircraft systems fly overhead during Exercise Thunderstruck 2.0 at Camp Gruber Training Center near Braggs, Oklahoma, on September 13, 2025.

Four Indiana National Guard Soldiers Awarded Indiana Distinguished Service Cross
September 12, 2025 — INDIANAPOLIS — Four Hoosier National Guard Soldiers received the Indiana Distinguished Service Cross awards during a Sept. 12 ceremony at Indiana National Guard headquarters at Stout Field.Chief... MORE

Indiana National Guard leadership poses with front from right, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brett Milton, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Craig Adams, Sgt. 1st Class Adam Kabella and Sgt. Dalton McCollum, are recognized for their heroism during a ceremony at Stout Field in Indianapolis, Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.

Pennsylvania Air Guard Commemorates Patriot Day With Formation Training Flight
September 12, 2025 — MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Special Operations Wing conducted routine Launch the Fleet training Sept. 11, timed to commemorate Patriot Day.This formation flight of six... MORE

U.S. Airmen with the 193rd Special Operations Wing conducted routine Launch the Fleet training from Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania, September 11, 2025, timed to commemorate Patriot Day.

Kentucky Guard, Ecuador Conduct Air Assault Training Exchange
September 12, 2025 — LATACUNGA, Ecuador - Members of the Kentucky National Guard took part in a four-day air assault training exchange with the Ecuadorian 9th Special Forces Brigade as part of the Department of War... MORE

U.S. Army Capt. Mitchell Hagen teaches Ecuadorian servicemembers of the 9th Special Forces Brigade how to approximate the height of trees as part of a class on landing zone designation in Latacunga, Ecuador, Aug. 21, 2025.

Alaska Air Guard Rescues Plane Crash Survivor
September 12, 2025 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — Alaska Air National Guard members with the 176th Wing rescued the single occupant of a plane crash Sept. 10, approximately 115 miles northeast of... MORE

Virginia Air Guard’s Bosslift Event Enhances Military-Civilian Partnerships
September 11, 2025 — JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - Strengthening ties between the military and civilian sectors, the 192nd Wing of the Virginia Air National Guard hosted the 2025 Bosslift event on Sept. 6 at Joint Base... MORE

Group of civilian employers and military personnel posing for a group photo with a red walkway and Air Force symbol, KC-135 in the background

Remembering 9/11: National Guard Soldiers Reflect on a Pivotal Moment
September 11, 2025 — AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — On the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks, Task Force Thunder honors the enduring legacy of Patriot Day. To foster remembrance and reflection, task... MORE