News

171st Air Refueling Wing strengthens partnership with Lithuania
August 18, 2026 — A team from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 171st Air Refueling Wing Communications Squadron traveled to Lithuania July 12-25, completing the unit’s fifth rotation supporting the Lithuanian Air Force’s Airspace Surveillance and Control Command Center in Karmelava... MORE

From left, Staff Sgt. Adan Mancera, cybersecurity journeyman, 171st Air Refueling Wing; Senior Master Sgt. Robert Beveridge, warfighter communications superintendent, 171st Air Refueling Wing; and Maj. Aivaras Ramanauskar, chief of cyber operations, Lithuanian Cyber Command, pose for a photo at the Lithuanian Cyber Command in Vilnius July 14, 2026.

Beyond the trident: Former Navy SEAL redefines strength through service
August 17, 2026 — Chaplain (Capt.) Daron Miller of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 28th Infantry Division went from Navy SEAL to Army chaplain... MORE

U.S. Army Chaplain (1st Lt.) Daron Miller counsels a Soldier during a Chaplain Officer Basic Course training exercise at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Today’s Army chaplains and religious affairs specialists provide 100% confidentiality for privileged communication which occurs as a formal act of religion or as a matter of conscience. (Paul Stamps, U.S. Army Chaplain Corps)

Serving through medicine
August 11, 2026 — Airman 1st Class Byron Richards is originally from Jamaica, enlisted in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard on Sept. 7, 2023, and completed the enlistment process in just six days before joining the 171st Air Refueling Wing as an aerospace medical technician... MORE

Airman 1st Class Byron Richards, an aerospace medical technician assigned to the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, poses in front of a medical mural on base for an airman spotlight Aug. 5, 2026. (U.S. Air Force National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Wirth)

111th Attack Wing holds leadership summit
August 7, 2026 — 111th Attack Wing leadership held a summit meeting from July 21 to 23 at the 193rd Air Operations Group in State College, Pennsylvania, focusing on leadership growth and development... MORE

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Edward Zuech, command chief of the 111th Attack Wing, addresses commanders and senior enlisted leaders during the opening of the 111th Attack Wing Leadership Summit at the 193rd Air Operations Group in State College, Pennsylvania, July 21, 2026. The summit brought together wing leadership to discuss strategic priorities, strengthen collaboration, and align efforts to enhance mission readiness across the wing. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bergh)

556th MICO conducts multi-domain exercise
August 6, 2026 — Soldiers from the 556th Military Intelligence Co., 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team conducted a multi-domain exercise Aug. 1 to 4 at Fort Indiantown Gap... MORE

Soldiers from the 556th Military Intelligence Co., 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team determine a simulated enemy position during a multi-domain exercise Aug. 3, 2026 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Brad Rhen)

Two‑time top photographer builds soldiers, not just images
August 5, 2026 — Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Nelson was named the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Photographer of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and shares his journey on how he found a passion in photography and humility to submit his work for awards... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Nelson, a public affairs specialist and unit readiness noncommissioned officer with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, poses for a photo at Smith Barracks in Baumholder, Germany, July 31, 2026. Nelson is deployed with the 109th MPAD in support of SOCEUR. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Travis Mueller)

171st ARW safety office wins top ANG honors
August 4, 2026 — The 171st Air Refueling Wing Safety Office earned the Air National Guard Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award, and Maj. Matthew R. Limina was named ANG Safety Officer of the Year for 2025, making the 171st ARW one of the top-recognized safety organizations in the ANG... MORE

Master Sgt. Dan Fry, left, Dave Sparkman, center, and Maj. Matthew Limina, right, members of the 171st Air Refueling Wing Safety Team, pose for a photo at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Aug. 1, 2026, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 171st ARW Safety Office received the Air National Guard Director of Safety Outstanding Achievement Award for their contributions to mishap prevention, risk management, and safety program effectiveness. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Zoe M. Wockenfuss)

Unapologetically herself, a victor in her own story
August 3, 2026 — Staff Sgt. Melyssa Vazquez, a public affairs specialist with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment deployed in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, tells her story on how she spent her current deployment focused on telling other people’s stories... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Melyssa Vazquez, a public affairs specialist with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, poses for a photo at Smith Barracks in Baumholder, Germany, July 31, 2026. Vazquez is deployed with the 109th MPAD in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. Travis Mueller)

The fight behind front line: 55th MEB prepares for modern battlefield
July 31, 2026 — The Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade conducted the brigade's first Support Area Field Training Exercise with roughly 1,100 Soldiers at Fort Indiantown Gap during annual training July 20-22, 2026... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade participate in the brigade's first Support Area Field Training Exercise during annual training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 20–22, 2026. The exercise brought together approximately 1,100 Soldiers to train in a realistic, contested Division Support Area, challenging engineers, military police, sustainment personnel and brigade staff to protect critical sustainment operations, maintain freedom of movement and respond to evolving battlefield threats in preparation for future large-scale combat operations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

Pa. National Guard activates combat engineer company – infantry
July 30, 2026 — The 856th Combat Engineer Company was activated as an Infantry unit with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard during a ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap June 26... MORE

The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 856th Combat Engineer Company - Infantry activates during a formal ceremony on Strickler Field at Fort Indiantown Gap July 26, 2026. The 856th, which falls under the 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, was previously designated as Company A, 103rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, prior to that battalion’s inactivation in March as part of the brigade’s transition from a Stryker Brigade Combat Team to a Mobile Brigade Combat Team. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)