CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Arkansas National Guard ceremonially enlisted 250 Arkansas National Guard recruits, April 11, 2026, at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. Speaker 1: Major Chance Hall, master of ceremonies Speaker 2: Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, adjutant general of Arkansas Speaker 3: Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders, governor of Arkansas “This ceremony recognizes America’s 250th birthday in Arkansas while honoring the military service that helped secure our independence,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “The colonial militias — the predecessors of today’s National Guard — stood against the British Army at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and the Continental Congress established the Army two months later on June 14, 1775. Arkansas also has a direct Revolutionary War connection through the 1783 battle at Arkansas Post, recognized as the only Revolutionary War battle fought in present-day Arkansas.” The 250 recruits are representative of the nearly 1,300 Guardsmen the Arkansas Army National Guard and Arkansas Air National Guard recruit annually into their respective brigades and wings. The Arkansas National Guard traces its roots to 1804, one year after the Louisiana Purchase. “The legislative body governing the Indiana Territory, of which Arkansas was a part, enacted a law making most males liable for military service,” according to the Arkansas National Guard Museum’s website. More information about the Arkansas National Guard’s history is available here: https://arngmuseum.com/history/national-guards/ Throughout its history, the Arkansas National Guard has answered the call in times of war, natural disasters, and other domestic emergencies. Its legacy reflects the service of Arkansans who have balanced civilian lives with military duty, exemplifying the citizen-soldier ethos that has defined the nation since its founding.

CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the Arkansas National Guard ceremonially enlisted 250 Arkansas National Guard recruits, April 11, 2026, at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. Speaker 1: Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, adjutant general of Arkansas “This ceremony recognizes America’s 250th birthday in Arkansas while honoring the military service that helped secure our independence,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “The colonial militias — the predecessors of today’s National Guard — stood against the British Army at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, and the Continental Congress established the Army two months later on June 14, 1775. Arkansas also has a direct Revolutionary War connection through the 1783 battle at Arkansas Post, recognized as the only Revolutionary War battle fought in present-day Arkansas.” The 250 recruits are representative of the nearly 1,300 Guardsmen the Arkansas Army National Guard and Arkansas Air National Guard recruit annually into their respective brigades and wings. The Arkansas National Guard traces its roots to 1804, one year after the Louisiana Purchase. “The legislative body governing the Indiana Territory, of which Arkansas was a part, enacted a law making most males liable for military service,” according to the Arkansas National Guard Museum’s website. More information about the Arkansas National Guard’s history is available here: https://arngmuseum.com/history/national-guards/ Throughout its history, the Arkansas National Guard has answered the call in times of war, natural disasters, and other domestic emergencies. Its legacy reflects the service of Arkansans who have balanced civilian lives with military duty, exemplifying the citizen-soldier ethos that has defined the nation since its founding.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Approximately 130 Guardsmen from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade participated in a sendoff ceremony at the Bentonville Armed Forces Reserve Center at 10 a.m., April 6. Sound bites are Col. Jonathan Smith, commander 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, adjutant general of Arkansas, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders The deployment will be in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Spartan Shield is supported by Army National Guard and Army Reserve units on a continual rotational basis to provide security, logistical support, strengthen partnerships and build partner capacity against regional threats. Inherent Resolve advises, assists, and enables partner forces to secure lasting defeat of ISIS and to enable the establishment of an enduring security cooperation framework. “This is a significant mission, and I could not be more proud of these Soldiers for answering the call,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “They are deploying in a role of real importance, and they do so as trained, disciplined, and highly capable professionals. The trust placed in this headquarters says a great deal about the quality of this formation and its leadership. The Arkansas National Guard exists to serve state and nation when called, and these Soldiers are fulfilling that duty with honor and sacrifice. As they go forward, we have a sacred obligation here at home to stand behind their families, and support one another.” Guardsmen will report to Fort Bliss, Texas, for mobilization processing, then travel on to their overseas location. In total, they’re expected to be deployed for nine months. The 142nd FAB has a rich history dating back to its founding as the 2nd Arkansas Infantry in 1893. It has served in all the nation’s conflicts with the lone exception being the Vietnam War. In 2021, the 142nd supported the 46th Presidential Inauguration by providing additional security in the nation’s capital, ensuring a smooth transition. Later that same year, the unit deployed to locations throughout the Middle East in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Additionally, 142nd FAB Guardsmen have served on state active-duty missions conducting winter weather response support, providing potable water, and responding to other natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and the May 2024 Rogers tornado. (U.S. Army National Guard video by 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Approximately 130 Guardsmen from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade participated in a send-off ceremony, April 6, 2026, at the Bentonville Armed Forces Reserve Center. The deployment will be in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Spartan Shield is supported by Army National Guard and Army Reserve units on a continual rotational basis to provide security, logistical support, strengthen partnerships and build partner capacity against regional threats. Inherent Resolve advises, assists, and enables partner forces to secure lasting defeat of ISIS and to enable the establishment of an enduring security cooperation framework. “This is a significant mission, and I could not be more proud of these Soldiers for answering the call,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “They are deploying in a role of real importance, and they do so as trained, disciplined, and highly capable professionals. The trust placed in this headquarters says a great deal about the quality of this formation and its leadership. The Arkansas National Guard exists to serve state and nation when called, and these Soldiers are fulfilling that duty with honor and sacrifice. As they go forward, we have a sacred obligation here at home to stand behind their families, and support one another.” Guardsmen will report to Fort Bliss, Texas, for mobilization processing, then travel on to their overseas location. In total, they’re expected to be deployed for nine months. The 142nd FAB has a rich history dating back to its founding as the 2nd Arkansas Infantry in 1893. It has served in all the nation’s conflicts with the lone exception being the Vietnam War. In 2021, the 142nd supported the 46th Presidential Inauguration by providing additional security in the nation’s capital, ensuring a smooth transition. Later that same year, the unit deployed to locations throughout the Middle East in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Additionally, 142nd FAB Guardsmen have served on state active-duty missions conducting winter weather response support, providing potable water, and responding to other natural disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and the May 2024 Rogers tornado.

A no captions version to Proud Of Arkansas. The Arkansas National Guard is Always Ready, Always There, to protect our communities here in Arkansas, support other states in need around the country, and defend our nation around the world. In 2025, the Arkansas National Guard faced multiple winter weather events, tornadoes, wild fires, deployments around the world and at home to assist other states. The Arkansas National Guard met those challenges while continuing to train and prepare for future engagements both known and unknown. (U.S. Army National Guard video by 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

Arkansas Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition 2026

Members of the Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, federal partners, and water utility professionals participate in Exercise Aqua Guardian, a tabletop exercise focused on responding to a simulated cyberattack targeting Arkansas water and wastewater systems, at the National Guard Professional Education Center on Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Center, North Little Rock, Arkansas, [DATE]. The exercise brought together Army and Air National Guard personnel, the FBI, state officials, and water infrastructure specialists to coordinate response procedures, share information, and strengthen interagency cooperation to protect critical infrastructure and ensure continuity of essential public services.

The Arkansas National Guard is Always Ready, Always There, to protect our communities here in Arkansas, support other states in need around the country, and defend our nation around the world. In 2025, the Arkansas National Guard faced multiple winter weather events, tornadoes, wild fires, deployments around the world and at home to assist other states. The Arkansas National Guard met those challenges while continuing to train and prepare for future engagements both known and unknown. (U.S. Army National Guard video by 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

Arkansas National Guard Adjutant General, Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges introduces the U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at a swearing in ceremony held in Camden, Ark., February 27, 2026. Hegseth swore in 17 Arkansas Army National Guardsmen and 5 Arkansas Air National Guardsmen. Hegseth awarded military recruiters from all branches of service that recruit from the state of Arkansas for their hard work and diligence to duty by presenting them his official challenge coin. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

Arkansas National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade conduct patrol operations in and around Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 2026. About 2,750 National Guard members support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, assisting the Metropolitan Police Department in maintaining public safety for residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District. (Arkansas Army National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Jake Bailey)

Arkansas National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade conducting patrol operations in Washington, D.C., including Logan Circle and Dupont Circle. Soldiers are shown interacting with the environment and maintaining a visible presence while serving in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission.

Arkansas Army National Guard Soldiers assist a motorist back onto the road in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jan. 24, 2026. Arkansas National Guardsmen assisted the Arkansas State Police during Winter Storm Fern by patrolling major roadways and helping motorists to ensure public safety.

CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Roughly 100 Arkansas Army National Guardsmen participated in a departure ceremony at Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center at 9 a.m. Dec. 1, 2025. Included are speakers comments respectively: Lt. Col. Brian Lawrenz, commander 2nd battalion, 142nd field artillery brigade, Brig. Gen. Olen C. Bridges, adjutant general of Arkansas, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, governor of Arkansas. (Arkansas Army National Guard video by 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

MinuteMan Day is a community event for anyone to sign up for where the military and their neighboring community can come together and learn what all we have to offer each other.