News - Page 4

166th Regiment RTI welcomes new commander
April 21, 2026 — Lt. Col. Max Furman assumed command of the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute from Col. John Wenzel during a change-of-command ceremony April 17... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers, leaders and family members attend a change of command ceremony for the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania April 17, 2026. During the ceremony, Col. John Wenzel relinquished command to Lt. Col. Max Furman, symbolizing the transfer of authority within the organization. The 166th Regiment trains more than 5,000 Soldiers annually and serves as a premier Regional Training Institute within the Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

171st Air Refueling Wing hosts 'All-Star Leadership Day'
April 16, 2026 — More than 400 high school student leaders from across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia gathered at the 171st Air Refueling Wing April 15 for an All-Star Leadership Day... MORE

Lt. Col. Alex Steele, executive officer, 171st Air Refueling Wing, welcomes students during an All-Star Leadership Day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 15, 2026. Airmen shared their experiences and perspectives, encouraging students to consider leadership roles and STEM-focused careers within the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Zoe M. Wockenfuss)

171st ARW Airman promotes resiliency through reading
April 15, 2026 — Master Sgt. Frank Chappell, the religious affairs superintendent for the 171st Air Refueling Wing, recently established a Little Free Library in the wing’s Resiliency Center... MORE

Master Sgt. Frank Chappell, religious affairs superintendent, 171st Air Refueling Wing, poses for a photo with books from the Little Free Library in the Resiliency Center, April 6, 2026, near Pittsburgh. Chappell initially received over 30 boxes of books from Operation Paperback, a non-profit organization that collects gently used books from volunteers and ships them to American troops, military families, and veterans. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Natalie Claypoole)

Pa. Army Guard announces winners of Best Warrior Competition
April 13, 2026 — The Pennsylvania Army National Guard announced the winners of its 2026 State Best Warrior Competition at a ceremony April 12 at Fort Indiantown Gap... MORE

(Left to right) Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Herb, Sgt. 1st Class Erich Friedlein, Command Sgt. Maj. Oscar Laughman, and Spc. Peter Wenzel pose for a photo at the Pennsylvania Army National Guard State Best Warrior Competition awards ceremony April 12, 2026, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Sgt. Tristan Murry)

56th MBCT establishes new reconnaissance company
April 13, 2026 — As part of its conversion to a mobile brigade combat team, the 56th MBCT has established a new reconnaissance unit designed to counter emerging threats from drones, electronic warfare and near-peer adversaries... MORE

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Brandon Lutz, with Delta Troop, 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, retires the troop guidon with the assistance of Cpt. Robert Tomlinson III during the 2-104 Cav deactivation ceremony on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., March 21, 2026. Lutz, along with the other soldiers in D Troop, have since been integrated into the newly established Mike Company, 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Oriana White)

National Guard claims three titles, earns historic finish at 2026 Lacerda Cup
April 11, 2026 — Army National Guard Soldiers claimed three championship belts and delivered their strongest performance to date at the 2026 Lacerda Cup All-Army Combatives Championships, finishing third overall... MORE

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers compete in the finals during day three of the 2026 Lacerda Cup All-Army Combatives Championship at Fort Benning, Ga. Apr. 10, 2026. The two Army National Guard teams finished the tournament with third and sixth place team standings out of twenty-one teams competing, with three National Guard Soldiers earning championship belts. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team now a mobile brigade combat team
April 8, 2026 — The 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team has been converted to the 56th Mobile Brigade Combat Team as part of an Army plan to transform its force structure to adapt to the changing character of modern conflict... MORE

Several Infantry Squad Vehicles, or ISVs, have arrived at Fort Indiantown Gap as part of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s conversion to a mobile brigade combat team. ISVs are lightweight, unarmored troop carriers designed to rapidly transport a nine-Soldier squad across varied terrain. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Brad Rhen)

Regional Equipment Operator Training Site offers heavy-equipment training for Airmen
April 7, 2026 — The Regional Equipment Operator Training Site, or REOTS, is a 40-hour course operated by Airmen from the Pennsylvania National Guard's 193rd Special Operations Wing. It is open to both active-duty and reserve component Airmen and focuses primarily on runway repair utilizing heavy equipment such as bulldozers, loaders and excavators... MORE

The Regional Equipment Operator Training Site (REOTS) was formally established at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania in November of 1988. Now, Airmen from all over the world attend the school for various courses.

Soldier Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Leo Malfara
April 2, 2026 — Staff Sgt. Leo Malfara, an instructor with the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, was named Instructor of the Quarter for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, recognizing his exceptional performance, dedication to students and commitment to professional development... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Leo Malfara, a Basic Leader Course (BLC) facilitator with 3rd Battalion, 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, provides classroom training to BLC students at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. March 31, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

2-104th Cavalry deactivated
March 24, 2026 — The 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment was deactivated during a ceremony March 21 at Fort Indiantown Gap... MORE

The 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. John Sauser, was deactivated during a ceremony conducted March 21 at Fort Indiantown Gap. During the ceremony the squadron’s colors were cased, along with the colors of the squadron’s subordinate troops. This deactivation is part of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team’s transformation into a mobile brigade combat team. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Wayne V. Hall)