News

Pa. Guard Soldier wins regional Best Warrior Competition
May 14, 2026 — Sgt. 1st Class Erich Friedlein of the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute won the best noncommissioned officer category at the National Guard Region II Best Warrior Competition in West Virginia... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Frederic Newton poses for a photo with Major General James Seward, Command Sgt. Maj. James "Dusty" Jones, and Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron Kincaid, during the Region II Best Warrior Competition ceremony hosted by West Virginia National Guard, at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, on May 6, 2026. The annual competition tests participants on a range of warrior tasks, including physical fitness, marksmanship, and land navigation, to identify the top Soldier and noncommissioned officer who will advance to the National Best Warrior Competition. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Ayla Cameron)

Shimek finds purpose in service
May 7, 2026 — U.S. Army Sgt. David Shimek, a human resources specialist with the 213th Personnel Company, 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, provides critical administrative support to Soldiers across the unit... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. David Shimek, a human resources specialist with the 213th Personnel Company, 228th Motor Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, stands for a portrait at the firing range during annual rifle marksmanship qualification at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, May 2, 2026. U.S. Soldiers with the 228th MTB qualified on the M4 carbine, demonstrating their ability to effectively operate their weapons and successfully complete their missions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tristan Murry)

Driven to serve: Spc. Kayden Aragon’s journey in the Guard
May 6, 2026 — Spc. Kayden Aragon of the 121st Transportation Company has turned a lifelong passion for driving into both a military specialty and a civilian career... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Kayden Aragon, a motor transport operator assigned to the 121st Transportation Company, 228th Motor Transportation Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, stands for a portrait while guarding the entrance to a firing range during annual rifle marksmanship qualification at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, May 2, 2026. U.S. Soldiers with the 228th MTB qualified on the M4 carbine, demonstrating their ability to effectively operate their weapons and successfully complete their missions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Aliyah Vivier)

171st ARW Airmen help manage emergencies at NFL Draft
May 5, 2026 — As thousands of fans gathered for the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh April 23-25, members of the 171st Air Refueling Wing were working behind the scenes to help keep people safe... MORE

Future Soldiers and Airmen stand on stage during a multi-service enlistment ceremony at the NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium, April 25, 2026. Approximately 180 individuals took the oath of enlistment, marking the start of their service to the commonwealth and the nation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Zoe M. Wockenfuss)

‘Camera guy can do it’: Soldier’s case for a strenuous lifestyle
May 1, 2026 — Thomson, a public affairs specialist with the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, had spent the previous week bouncing between finals, family plans and last‑minute packing. The shift from celebration to mobilization on the same day was abrupt but it fit him... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. David Thomson, a public affairs specialist with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, currently deployed to Germany in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe, poses for a photo at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, April 7, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo illustration by Capt. Leanne Trindel)

56th MBCT Soldiers make history at Lacerda Cup
April 30, 2026 — A Pennsylvania National Guard Soldier won his weight class, and another Pennsylvania Guard Soldier finished second in her weight class at the Lacerda Cup All-Army Combatives Championships, held recently at Fort Benning, Georgia... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alexander Myers, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, competes in the heavyweight 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)

Advocates and service members attend 2026 SAPR Summit
April 24, 2026 — The Pennsylvania National Guard Sexual Assault Response Program hosted the 2026 SAPR Summit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, April 23, 2026... MORE

Guest keynote speaker, Nicole Snell, CEO of Empowered Journeys, Inc. and founder of Outdoor Defense, gives a presentation during the 2026 SAPR Summit at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, April 23, 2026. This presentation focused on Safety, Assertiveness, Violence Protection, and Empowerment (SAVE), with an additional emphasis on bystander intervention. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Kayden Bedwell)

166th Regiment graduates Warrant Officer Candidate School class
April 22, 2026 — Fifteen Soldiers with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard graduated from Warrant Officer Candidate School during a ceremony April 17 at Fort Indiantown Gap... MORE

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate School Class 26-001, conducted by the 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute, graduated 15 Pennsylvania Army National Guard Soldiers at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania April 17, 2026, at the conclusion of the training course. Of the 15 graduates, nine were appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer 1, while six received certificates of eligibility pending assignment to warrant officer positions in the future. The graduation marks a continuation of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s warrant officer development pipeline. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith)

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