News

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)

From auto shop to Army aviation
October 29, 2024 — Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea has gone from a paint shop to working with unmanned aircraft systems... MORE

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Shea assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard maneuvers a drone during a test flight at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 11, 2024. Unmanned aircraft systems operators are required to have four hours of flight time each month to ensure their skills remain sharp and ready to meet the Army’s needs. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Israel Fernandez)

Task Force Associator replaces Task Force Paxton as East Africa’s security forces unit
October 28, 2024 — Task Force Associator assumed responsibility for the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton during a transfer of authority ceremony Oct. 21 at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti... MORE

The Pennsylvania National Guard’s Task Force Associator assumed control over the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Paxton, another Pennsylvania National Guard Unit, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 21, 2024. The ceremony is a military tradition representing a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a mission from one unit to the next. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by SGT. Lark Sine)

Deployed 56th SBCT Soldiers rehearse air medevac
October 18, 2024 — Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team participated in an air medevac exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 11, 2024... MORE

Sgt. Preston Clark, a flight medic with 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, accompanies Soldiers with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard as they transport their simulated wounded soldier to load onto the HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during an air medevac exercise Oct. 11, 2024. U.S. Army medics rehearse their evacuation procedures to stand ready to respond to real life medical emergencies. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Leanne Demboski)

From AWOL to A-okay
October 15, 2024 — Specialist Inioluwa Oluowotade, once facing the consequences of being absent without leave, has since turned his military career around and is now recognized as an exemplary soldier during his deployment to Africa with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team... MORE

Private 1st Class Iniolowa Oluowotade, left, of Carnage Company 1-112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team was promoted to Specialist at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, September 27, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Owen Dietrich)

Two Pa. Guard Soldiers receive annual Catto Medal
October 8, 2024 — Two Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers received the prestigious Octavius V. Catto Medal during a ceremony Oct. 5 at the Union League of Philadelphia... MORE

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Pippy, director of the joint staff of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Pennsylvania National Guard member Master Sgt. John Shaw, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade Senior Human Resources NCO, and Master Sgt. Figueroa, Recruiting and Retention NCO for team Philadelphia, stands for a photo after accepting the Major Octavius V. Catto Medal at The Union League of Philadelphia, October 5, 2024. Catto was a Civil War-era Pennsylvania militia officer who was killed in Philadelphia in 1871 while on duty defending African-Americans at polling places from those who opposed their right to vote. An annual award in his name is given to Pennsylvania National Guard members who distinguish themselves as leaders through community support and public service. (Pennsylvania Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Charles Casner)