News

2025: A year of milestones and achievements for Pa. National Guard
December 30, 2025 — Throughout 2025, Soldiers and Airmen of the Pennsylvania National Guard deployed around the world, responded to domestic missions and conducted their usual readiness training... MORE

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Army Task Force Associator conduct security at a simulated crash site during exercise Bull Shark 25-2 at Arta Beach, Djibouti, May 6, 2025. Service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa and partner nations demonstrated agility and interoperability through joint maneuver, communication, and casualty evacuation drills. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ivan Mendez-Roman)

109th MPAD strengthens readiness at Fort Hood before deployment
December 30, 2025 — Soldiers with 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment are finalizing readiness tasks and training here ahead of a deployment to Europe in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Nelson, left, a public affairs specialist with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, instructs the unit on storytelling techniques at their mobilization station at Fort Hood, Texas, Dec. 21, 2025. The unit is preparing to deploy to Europe in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Travis Mueller)

Pa. Guard played key role in ’Ten Crucial Days’ of American Revolution
December 23, 2025 — Several units that are alive in the Pennsylvania National Guard today played a key role in the "Ten Crucial Days" that helped save the American Revolution... MORE

In this painting by Mort Künstler, Gen. George Washington leads the Continental Army across the Delaware River on the night of Dec. 25-26, 1776, to attack Hessian soldiers in Trenton, N.J. The militia units included the Philadelphia Associators and First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.

Pa. Guard Soldier places 6th at DEKA World Championship
December 18, 2025 — A Pennsylvania National Guard Soldier placed 6th in her age group for DEKAFIT at the 2025 DEKA World Championship Dec. 5 to 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lt. Col. Deborah Fisher, commander of the 288th Motor Transportation Battalion, placed 6th in the 50 to 54 age group for females in the DEKAFIT competition... MORE

Lt. Col. Deborah Fisher, third from left, commander of the 288th Motor Transportation Battalion, Pennsylvania National Guard, poses with other National Guard Soldiers who participated in the 2025 DEKA World Championships Dec. 5-7, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Fisher placed 6th in her age group for DEKAFIT. (Courtesy photo)

166th RTI Instructors conduct Soldier Borne Sensor drone training
December 17, 2025 — Infantry cadre assigned to 1st Battalion, 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute (RTI) conducted Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) training here Dec. 9–11, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to modernize small-unit reconnaissance and prepare instructors for future unmanned aircraft system integration... MORE

U.S. Army infantry cadre assigned to 1st Battalion, 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, Pennsylvania Army National Guard conduct Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) training at Fort Indiantown Gap Dec. 9–11, 2025, as part of ongoing efforts to modernize small-unit reconnaissance and prepare instructors for future unmanned aircraft system integration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

109th MPAD Soldiers honored at deployment ceremony
December 16, 2025 — Ten Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment were honored during a deployment ceremony Dec. 13 at Fort Indiantown Gap before leaving for a deployment to Europe... MORE

Ten Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers from the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group were honored in a departure ceremony conducted at the Keystone Conference Center Dec. 13. The unit will deploy to Europe in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)

Conley assumes responsibility as 171st Air Refueling Wing’s new command chief
December 12, 2025 — Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Conley became the 171st Air Refueling Wing’s new senior enlisted leader during an assumption of responsibility ceremony Dec. 6 in Coraopolis... MORE

Col. Ryan D. Strong, left, 171st Air Refueling Wing commander, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, presents the 171st Air Refueling Wing guidon to Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Conley, incoming 171st ARW command chief, during an assumption of responsibility ceremony Dec. 6, 2025, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon assuming responsibility, Chief Conley is the 13th command chief of the unit. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Zoe M. Wockenfuss)

‘Ben Franklin’s Associators’ welcome new commander at Independence Hall
December 10, 2025 — Maj. Michael Tier assumed command of 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment from Lt. Col. David Fittipoldi during a change-of-command ceremony Dec. 7 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia... MORE

Maj. Michael Tier assumed command of 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team from outgoing commander Lt. Col. David Fittipoldi during a change-of-command ceremony Dec. 7 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The 1-111th was founded by Benjamin Franklin on Dec. 7, 1747, and is one of the oldest units in the Pennsylvania National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ivan Mendez-Roman)

Pa. Guard Soldiers selected for international best squad competition
December 2, 2025 — Seven Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers completed tryouts Oct. 22 at Fort Indiantown Gap, earning their place in a best squad competition scheduled for March 2026 in Lithuania... MORE

Seven Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers completed tryouts at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Oct. 22, 2025, earning their place in a best squad competition scheduled for March 2026 in Lithuania. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

Taking flight: Pa. Guard expanding drone usage
November 21, 2025 — As drones become more prevalent on the battlefield, the Pennsylvania National Guard is expanding its drone usage and training... MORE

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea, the Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations officer at the Fort Indiantown Gap UAS facility, operates a first-person-view, or FPV, drone on Sept. 2, 2025, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Brad Rhen)