Minuteman Report

National Guardsmen from Arizona’s 258th Engineer Company and Active Duty Soldiers trained in explosive ordnance disposal conducted a route clearance convoy to deliver heavy excavation equipment to bases throughout Afghanistan. The one-day drive turned into three days of slow travel, as the Soldiers had to use the equipment intended for delivery to clear the route. Story by Army Staff Sgt. Zach Hol...

New Jersey National Guardsmen go on patrol with foreign counterparts from the Royal Canadian Regiment, while in Afghanistan the two forces will work together to maintain security in their assigned area. Story by Lance Cpl. Ivan Vasquez

South Carolina National Guardsmen are in Kosovo performing Liaison Monitoring with the local villages. They bring school supplies, boxed lunches, and warm clothes to children on one of their visits. Story by Specialist Alyson Pelletier.

Senior Leaders of the Air National Guard met recently in Leesburg, Virginia to discuss and plan the future of the Air National Guard. The meeting was for the Strategic Planning System or SPS that looks in to the future of what the Air Guard could look like in 2025. Story by Master Sergeant Matt Hilborn

Members of Hawaii’s Royal Guard, which consists of members of the Hawaii Air National Guard, recently celebrated 49 years of existence by reenacting the posting of the Guard at the state capital. Their mandate is to protect the historical ties of the Hawaii National Guard to King Kalakaua’s Royal Guard, and to serve the community as Hawaii’s Honor Guard. Story by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Jackson.

Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Army General Frank J. Grass recently addressed the Air National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base Andrews. As the new Chief, he discussed his role in the NGB and his vision of the future. Story by Master Sgt. Matt Hilborn.

The Washington D.C. Air National Guard showcases their latest piece of equipment by providing hot meals during a training event held on Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The kitchen fed over 100 airmen during this exercise, but could provide at least 1,000 during an emergency.

Hawaii Army National Guardsmen recently shared their search and rescue knowledge with their State Partnership Program counterparts in Subic Bay, Philippines. The soldiers taught their techniques to civil authorities and local first responders. Story by TSgt. Andrew Jackson

The Missouri National Guard performed readiness training along the Missouri River by building a bridge establishing alternate transportation route. The training ensures their ability to respond to a disaster. Story by Army PFC Brittany Crocker.

During their yearlong deployment to Kosovo, the South Carolina National Guard’s Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry received training from the Kosovo Tactical Maneuver Battalion on how to effectively oppose an overwhelming riot, one of the largest threats to the Kosovo Force. Story by Spc. Alyson Pelletier.

The Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark A. Welsh III honored the Air National Guard in a ceremony held at the Pentagon. He recognized the winners of this year's Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award. Story by Master Sgt. David Fenner.

Kentucky National Guardsmen recently traveled to Djibouti, Africa to train with Japan's Self-Defense Force. They trained on Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Identification and C-IED Reaction lane. Story by Petty Officer Cody Boyd.

Oklahoma National Guardsmen and other veterans are able to transition from military to civilian employment faster with a program offered through the state's Department of Career and Technology Education. The program allows veterans to use their military training to test for civilian certifications in similar career fields. Story by Sergeant Christopher Bruce.

The 193rd Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, recently had an Operational Readiness Inspection where the wing received an Excellent rating. Story by Senior Airman Kaitie Cook.

The Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Civil Engineering Squadron schedules off-site regional training biannually for its personnel to complete their annual deployment skills requirements. The unit's firefighters are now one of the first Air National Guard units to complete the Urban Search and Rescue, or USAR, training standards and are fully deployable. Story by Air Force Staff. Sgt. Denise Kni...

The Hawaii Air National Guard has been transitioning to the F-22 Raptor, during this time Air National Guardsmen from Montana have been fulfilling their Alert Mission over the region. Now that the transition has been accomplished the Hawaii Air National Guard will take back the mission. Story by Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson.

The 120th Fighter Wing was stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for the change over of the hosts wing's aircraft to F-22 Raptors. With their mission wrapping up, Montana ANG members prepare to redeploy all of their personnel, and equipment back to Montana. Story by Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson.

Indiana Guardsmen from B Troop 2-152 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadron recently went to Camp Atterbury to perform in a Tactical Resupply Exercise. Story by Army Staff Sgt. Lorne Neff.

Guardsmen from the Washington National Guard recently held a field training exercise between Tactical Air Control Party from the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron (TACP) and Army Aviators, National Guard Infantrymen and National Guard Special Forces. The training was to increase their interoperability between the two services. Story by Army Staff Sgt. Jason Kriess.

The National Guard is promoting its U.S. Citizenship Naturalization Project. The U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have a streamlined process for military personnel. Soundbite from Colonel Shirley Raguindin.

Arkansas Air National Guardsmen from the 189th Rapid Augmentation Team responded to a call for assistance clearing local roads in the wake of a severe winter storm. The Airmen were armed with chainsaws to clear downed trees which blocked several routes in a number of counties. Hosted by Tech Sgt. Matt Schwartz.

Nevada National Guardsmen participated in a training exercise on New Year's Eve with local law enforcement along the Las Vegas Strip. The training was to familiarize guardsmen with police so in an emergency, they would be able to work better together. Story by Sergeant Shane Klistenski.

Service members can do a lot of things in their downtime while deployed. One Oklahoma Air National Guardsman found a way to spend his free time honing a unique skill set and give back to his deployed community. Story by Air Force Staff Sergeant George Solis.

Key leaders of the Maine National Guard traveled to Montenegro recently as part of the state partnership program, where they reviewed their progress over the last six years and discussed how to improve the Montenegrin’s posture for NATO membership. Story by Army Staff Sgt. Pete Morrison.

Mississippi Guardsmen were on hand at Bagram Field, Afghanistan to assist in the placement and positioning of a guard post. The existing checkpoint is now bolstered the level of armored capability to the Afghan National Police. This is the fourth of such guard posts to be handed over to enhance Afghan’s defense. Story by TSgt Matt Schwartz.