News

166th Regiment – RTI instructors use drones to call for artillery fire
November 22, 2024 — Instructors from the 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute used drones to gather target information and sent it to students taking the artillery Advanced Leader Course, who engaged the targets with howitzers... MORE

The capabilities of the 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute's 1st and 2nd Battalions melded during a unique artillery live-fire training exercise Nov. 15, 2024 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Forward observers with 1st Battalion used several models of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) to acquire targeting data of identified targets. This data was used to submit a call for fire to instructors and students with 2nd Battalion, who engaged the targets with artillery fire using M119, M777, and M109A6 howitzers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

Pa. Air Guard welcomes new state command chief
November 20, 2024 — Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Ward recently assumed responsibility as the Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 11th state command chief... MORE

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Ward recently assumed duty as the eleventh State Command Chief of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Nov. 16, 2024, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. As the new full-time PAANG State Command Chief, Ward will represent the highest level of ANG enlisted leadership in the State and will serve as the principal advisor to the Deputy Adjutant General-Air for all matters influencing the health, morale, and welfare of enlisted personnel. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Diana Snyder)

193rd Air Operations Group celebrates 75 years of service
November 20, 2024 — The Pennsylvania Air National Guard's 193rd Air Operations Group commemorated 75 years of service Nov. 16, 2024, during a dining out event in State College, Pa... MORE

Nearly 250 attendees, including current and former members of the 193rd Air Operations Group, families and distinguished guests, gathered for the unit's 75th anniversary dining out at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, Pa., Nov. 16, 2024. The event celebrated the unit’s transformation from its origins in a downtown State College garage to its vital role in global and local operations. Highlights of the evening included special presentations, ceremonial toasts and reflections on the group’s storied and enduring legacy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ted Nichols)

111th Attack Wing airmen work Ramstein Air Base's mailroom
November 19, 2024 — Fifteen Airmen from the 111th Attack Wing worked in the mailroom at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, recently as part of a training exercise... MORE

Pennsylvania Air National Guard Senior Airman Bella Badal, assigned to the 111th Operations Group and Staff Sgt. Michael Eagan, 111th Force Support Squadron, review and distribute mail in a mailroom on Ramstein Air Base Germany, Nov. 05, 2024. 111th ATKW airmen trained with mail team members at Ramstein AB to practice interoperability and Multi-capable airmen functioning in a deployed environment. (Pennsylvania Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Charles Casner)

Fort Indiantown Gap hosts first open house in a decade
November 19, 2024 — The Pennsylvania National Guard and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs hosted an open house at Fort Indiantown Gap for members of the public Nov. 16, 2024... MORE

U.S. Soldiers and Airmen with the Pennsylvania National Guard engage with members of the local community during an open house at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Nov. 16, 2024. This free event featured Miss Pennsylvania, live tactical demonstrations, flyovers, displays of military equipment and vehicles, food trucks, live music and a performance by the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Ambassador Demonstration Team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)

2nd IBCT Soldiers participate in Exercise Strong Griffin in Lithuania
November 14, 2024 — More than 70 Soldiers from the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team participated in Exercise Strong Griffin recently in Lithuania... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Ray Ortiz, an infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, defends his post during exercise Strong Griffin at Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, Oct. 27, 2024. Soldiers from 1st Bn., 109th Inf. Regt. spent their two-week annual training period augmenting the 1st Cavalry Division forces participating in Strong Griffin – a Lithuanian-led NATO field exercise focused on training Lithuanian forces and enhancing interoperability with partner nation units. The 1st Cavalry Division’s mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide competent and ready forces to V Corps, America’s forward-deployed corps in Europe (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Trey Gonzales)

Former staff sergeant commissioned as behavioral health officer
November 12, 2024 — 1st Lt. Sarah Joseph, a former staff sergeant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, was recently commissioned as a behavioral health officer with the Joint Force Headquarters Medical Readiness Detachment... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Sarah M. Joseph, a behavioral health officer with the Medical Readiness Detachment, Joint Force Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, smiles under Pennsylvania and American flags at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Nov. 2, 2024. Joseph recently commissioned after a five-year break in service. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. HollyAnn Nicom)

171 ARW hosts all-star leadership day for high school students
November 8, 2024 — Over 500 students from 33 high schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia attended the U.S. Air Force’s All-Star Leadership Day Nov. 6, 2024, at the 171st Air Refueling Wing's base in Coraopolis, Pa. ... MORE

Approximately 500 high school student leaders from 33 different schools and two local Reserve Officer Training Corps detachments attended a total force All-Star Leadership Day event Nov. 6, 2024, at the 171st Air Refueling Wing near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Students had the opportunity to tour a KC-135 Stratotanker, a C-17 Globemaster and a F-16D Fighting Falcon aircraft as well as participate in teamwork exercises, leadership challenges, and interactive career exploration sessions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Zoe M. Wockenfuss)

Deployed 56th SBCT chaplain supports Jewish High Holidays mission
November 7, 2024 — Maj. Aaron Gaber, a Jewish chaplain with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, provided Jewish High Holidays support overseas this holiday season Oct. 2 to 15, 2024... MORE

U.S. Army Maj. Aaron Gaber, a Jewish chaplain with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, observes the holiday of Yom Kippur with Soldiers and civilians in Lithuania. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. John Mateja)

Pa. Guard Soldier awarded Purple Heart 13 years after IED attack
November 6, 2024 — Sgt. 1st Class Michael Picard received a Purple Heart in a ceremony Nov. 1 at Valley Forge Military Academy for injuries he sustained in 2011 in Afghanistan... MORE

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, left, presents a Purple Heart to U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Picard, assigned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, during a ceremony at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, Nov. 1, 2024. Picard was recognized for actions he took while deployed to Afghanistan with the Oklahoma National Guard in 2011. (U.S. Army National Guard photo Staff Sgt. Brandon Willis)