News

Daughter of Pa. Soldier named top youth volunteer in the Guard
April 12, 2022 — Lily Palfrey was recognized as one of the National Guard Bureau’s best volunteers of 2020 and was presented her award during a ceremony at the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade’s armory here, April 10, 2022... MORE

Lily Palfrey, daughter of 1st Sgt. Frank Palfrey, receives the 2020 National Guard Bureau Youth Volunteer Award during a ceremony at the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade armory. Lily was named winner of the award in early-2021, while her father was deployed with the 28th ECAB. She wanted to wait until her father was home to receive the award. 1st Sgt. Palfrey is the senior enlisted leader of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 28th ECAB.

Pa. Army National Guard recruiter wins national-level award
April 7, 2022 — A Pennsylvania Army National Guard Recruiter was recently named the Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year... MORE

Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, left, director of the Army National Guard, congratulates Sgt. 1st Class Amadou Traore of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion after Traore was named Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Noncommissioned Officer of the Year at the Director’s Strength Maintenance Awards Competition April 1, 2022, in St. Augustine, Florida.

111th ATW kicks off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
April 5, 2022 — The 111th Attack Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month with a community awareness presentation at Biddle Air National Guard Base on April 2, 2022... MORE

Senior Master Sgt. Brian E. Zarilla, the 111th Mission Support Group senior enlisted leader, celebrates as he nears the finish line during the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 5K on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Biddle Air National Guard Base, Horsham, PA. The 111th Attack Wing sexual assault response coordinator hosted the run to support sexual assault awareness and prevention month.

Executive assistant to eight TAGs retires
April 4, 2022 — The executive assistant to Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, who served as executive assistant to eight TAGs, retired recently after 35 years in the role... MORE

Beth Ann Shuttlesworth, executive assistant to eight of Pennsylvania’s adjutants general during her 35-year career, marked her retirement with a ceremony March 31 at Fort Indiantown Gap. Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general spoke at the ceremony and presented several awards, including a flag flown at the U.S. Capitol, and proclamations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate.

55th MEB gets new commander
April 1, 2022 — Lt. Col. Brad Pierson took command of the 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 28th Infantry Division during a change-of-command ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap on March 26. ... MORE

(Left to Right) Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn Phillips, command sergeant major of the 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, is passed the brigade colors from Lt. Col. Brad Pierson, incoming commander of the 55th MEB, during the 55th MEB change-of-command ceremony at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on March 26, 2022.

111th ATW commander returns to duty
March 31, 2022 — The commander of the 111th Attack Wing and Biddle Air National Guard Base, Col. Deane Thomey, returned to duty March 30, after a lengthy period of rehabilitation and recovery resulting from a plane crash in October 2021 that took the life of his daughter... MORE

Col. Deane E. Thomey, 111th Attack Wing Commander, receives a hug from Senior Master Sgt. Brian E. Zarilla (right), 111th Mission Support Group Senior Enlisted Leader, at Biddle Air National Guard Base, March 30, 2022, upon his return to duty after a more than 5-month absence. Thomey was recovering from injuries received in a plane crash in October 2021.

Pa. National Guard holds Wi-Fighter Cyber Challenge at Penn State
March 30, 2022 — More than 45 Penn State University students competed in a Pennsylvania National Guard Wi-Fighter Cyber Challenge event on March 16, 2022... MORE

Capt. Sean Smith, right, deputy cyber chief for the Defensive Cyber Operations Element, and a Lebanon, Pa., native, discusses with a Penn State student during the PA National Guard Wi-Fighter Cyber Challenge at Penn State University on March 16, 2022. Smith, also a Penn State alum, assisted students to finish the competition.

Pa. Soldier inducted into Women’s hall of fame
March 29, 2022 — Staff Sgt. Andrea Whelan, a Soldier with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, was recently inducted into the Lebanon County Women’s Hall of Fame... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrea Whelan, readiness NCO, Detachment 1, Bravo Company 1-224th Aviation, poses for a photo Feb. 5, 2022, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Whelan's unit supports domestic operations.

From friends to Wingmen: childhood friends serve together with 171st ARW
March 24, 2022 — Two childhood friends now serve together with the 171st Air Refueling Wing... MORE

Staff Sergeants Jerrad Skone and Bob Ruzewski both enlisted in the Air Force in 2016 and transitioned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in 2020 after completing their active duty contracts. The two have been best friends since third grade and have followed very similar life paths since.

Pa. National Guard ends COVID response mission
March 23, 2022 — After two years and hundreds of missions across the commonwealth, the Pennsylvania National Guard’s COVID-19 response mission has ended... MORE

Spc. Gary Sowash, a combat medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2/112th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, administers a COVID-19 vaccine at Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 in Lancaster, Pa., on March 12, 2021. Nearly 90 Pennsylvania National Guard members are supporting COVID-19 vaccination clinics for teachers and school staffs at seven sites across Pennsylvania.