News

Family's century of military service continues
July 31, 2024 — Gavin Thomas, son of Maj. Justin Thomas of 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery Regiment, recently enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard, continuing their family's century-long legacy of military service... MORE

Gavin Thomas (left) and his father, Maj. Justin Thomas, executive officer of 1st Battalion, 109th Field Artillery Regiment stand side by side following an oath of enlistment ceremony for Gavin at the Harrisburg Military Entrance Processing Station July 23, 2024. Gavin was sworn in to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard by his father.

Equipment exchange program keeps Army at its BEST
July 30, 2024 — The Black Hawk Exchange and Sales Transaction Program, also known as BEST, authorizes the Army to sell used and outdated military equipment and use the proceeds to fund new and improved equipment... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard move a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter onto a flatbed truck at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 24, 2024.

213th Regional Support Group Soldiers train on heavy vehicles
July 25, 2024 — Soldiers with the 213th Regional Support Group trained on the proper care, maintenance and hazards of driving and operating large military vehicles July 23 at Fort Indiantown Gap... MORE

U.S. Soldiers with the 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania National Guard, train how to operate and maintain Light Medium Tactical Vehicles during an exercise at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, July 23, 2024.

258th Air Traffic Control Squadron maintainers elevate skills during training exercise
July 23, 2024 — Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen with the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron’s Deployable Instrument Landing System Team completed a two-week annual training exercise from June 3 to 16 that focused on their newest equipment, the AN/TRN-50 Deployable Instrument Landing System... MORE

Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Leonard, left, and Tech. Sgt. Shane Miller, right, with the 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, prepare to train on a pick-off rescue while on a radar tower during their two-week training exercise from June 3, 2024 to June 16, 2024.

Pa. State Command Chief - Air bids farewell after 41-year career
July 16, 2024 — After 41 years of service, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 10th State Command Chief, Chief Master Sergeant Paul Frisco, bids farewell to his extensive career as he prepares for retirement in July 2024... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Paul Paul G. Frisco Jr. was appointed the 10th State Command Chief of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in February 2020.

171st Air Refueling Wing firefighters train with Pennsylvania Strike Team 1
July 12, 2024 — Air National Guardsmen from the 171st Air Refueling Wing’s Fire and Emergency Services Flight recently participated in a training event with Pennsylvania Strike Team 1 aimed at enhancing skills in search and rescue and emergency response operations at the Allegheny County Fire Academy... MORE

Pennsylvania Air National Guardsman Tech. Sgt. Scott Frederick with the 171st Air Refueling Wing Fire and Emergency Services Flight operates the DS11 hydraulic concrete chainsaw while receiving training from members of Pennsylvania Strike Team 1, at the Allegheny County Fire Academy, May 8, 2024. The partnership between the 171st and PA ST1 allows for shared resources and expertise, and provides a comprehensive training environment that benefits participants and the communities they serve. (courtesy photo)

Adjutant general visits chaplains conference
July 12, 2024 — Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler spoke at a training conference for Pennsylvania Army National Guard chaplains July 2 at Fort Indiantown Gap... MORE

Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj Gen Mark Schindler speaks at a seminar for Pennsylvania Army National Guard chaplains at Memorial Chapel at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., July 2, 2024. Military Chaplains provide motivation, support, spiritual guidance, and help spread faith to all service members. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Jessica Barb)

Pa. National Guard cyber team participates in Cyber Shield exercise
July 11, 2024 — The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Cyber Team played a pivotal role in Cyber Shield 2024, a comprehensive and highly sophisticated cyber defense exercise held from May 31 to June 14, 2024, at the State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia... MORE

Members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Cyber Team pose for a photo during Cyber Shield 2024, a comprehensive and highly sophisticated cyber defense exercise held from May 31 to June 14, 2024, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. (Courtesy photo)

SRAAG connects Army, Pa. Army National Guard
July 10, 2024 — Col. Stuart James is the Senior Regular Army Advisor to the Guard, or SRAAG, for the Pennsylvania National Guard... MORE

Col. Stuart James, right, Senior Regular Army Advisor Army National Guard, and then-Brig. Gen. Michael Wegscheider pose for a photo during the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team's rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, in 2022. (Courtesy Photo by Col. Andrew O’Connor)

TF Paxton medic trains Kenyan soldiers on tactical combat casualty care
July 2, 2024 — In an ongoing effort to bolster relations between U.S. and Kenyan military forces, U.S. Army medical, U.S. Air Force Fire Fighting, and other U.S. military personnel facilitated a three-day training event recently with Kenyan Rangers and Infantrymen... MORE

U.S. military personnel, led by Task Force Paxton medic Cpl. Vince Bartolome, recently spent three days teaching Kenyan military forces Tactical Combat Casualty Care while stationed in Manda Bay, Kenya. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jonathan Campbell)