Arkansas National Guard Soldiers, 77th Combat Aviation Brigade, worked alongside our civilian partners in Jackson County to shore up a flood breeched levee near Grubbs, Arkansas, April 09, 2025. Sgt. Katelynn Yarberry explains how they placed super sandbags, each containing up to 4,000 pounds of sand, in the breech. Arkansas Army National Guard video package by 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers, from across the country, conduct a live fire range day with the 233rd Regiment Regional Training Institute at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, Sept. 20, 2024. They conducted the live fire to validate their leadership skills for the advanced leadership course. Interview 1: Staff Sgt. Justin Doerr; Nebraska Army National Guard Interview 2: Sgt. Francisco Lopez; California Army National Guard (U.S. Arkansas Army National Guard video by Sgt. Brianna Rodriguez-Munns)

CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Nearly 100 Arkansas National Guardsmen assigned to Alpha Co., 1-153rd Infantry Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, returned here April 6 after an 11-month deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield.   The Guardsmen served as a quick-reaction force to help respond to emergencies and potential threats throughout the region. Operation Spartan Shield builds partner capacity in the Middle East to promote regional self-reliance and increase security among partner nations.   “These Guardsmen have served their state and nation with honor and distinction,” said Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “Being away from one’s family and loved ones is never easy, and we appreciate their sacrifice and service to do their part to help keep our nation safe. We also appreciate the steadfast support of their employers, and their family members who sacrificed while they were away.”   The Guardsmen departed Arkansas for their mobilization station at Fort Bliss, Texas, on May 26, 2023. They returned to Fort Bliss for demobilization on March 25, 2024.

Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson, Arkansas National Guard, travel 2-9 June 2019, to Normandy, France, with the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team to recreate paratrooper jumps from 75 years ago during Operation Overlord. The civilian jump team made up of many prior and current military members use these events to teach the history of WWII and to honor the veterans. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Staff Sgt. Charles D. Davis)

Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson, Arkansas Army National Guard, completes an airborne jump in Normandy, France, as part of the 75th D-Day Anniversary events 2-9 June, 2019. Anderson is part of the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team, a civilian jump team whose mission statement is to Honor, Serve and Respect.

The Arkansas National Guard depends on strong leaders: its commissioned officers. Rising through the ranks, commissioned officers become managers and problem-solvers. They maintain a commitment to excellence, make critical decisions, lead every mission and guide Army Soldiers. Officer Candidate School (OCS) is an intense leadership training course. It's physically and mentally challenging. Whether you're a first-time Soldier or have prior military experience, OCS will transform you into an effective leader. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Mr. Charles Davis and Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

THE 142ND FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE SPEARHEADED OPERATION WESTERN STRIKE, A MULTI-STATE, EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT READINESS AND FIELD ARTILLERY GUNNERY EXERCISE AT CAMP GUERNSEY IN WYOMING. FIVE BATTALIONS FROM THREE SEPARATE STATES COMPRISED THE 142ND AND WAS COMMANDED BY LT. COL. NICK JASKOLSKI. THREE BATTALIONS FROM ARKANSAS, ONE FROM ALABAMA AND ANOTHER FROM TENNESSEE PARTICIPATED IN THE OPERATION. 1ST BATTALION OF THE 142ND FROM ARKANSAS, AND THE 1ST BATTALION OF THE 181ST FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT FROM TENNESSEE, COLLECTIVELY FIRED OVER 100 REDUCED RANGE PRACTICE ROCKETS FROM THEIR MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEMS AND THEIR HIGH MOBILITY ARTILLERY ROCKET SYSTEMS. THE MLRS AND HIMARS CAN FIRE ACCURATELY UP TO 26 MILES AWAY WITH GUIDED OR UNGUIDED PROJECTILES OR UP TO A DISTANCE OF 190 MILES AWAY IF FIRING AN ARMY TACTICAL MISSILE SYSTEM. THE 2ND BATTALION OF THE 142ND FROM ARKANSAS AND THE 1ST BATTALION OF THE 117TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT FROM ALABAMA FIRED OVER 24 HUNDRED 155 MILLIMETER ROUNDS FROM THEIR PALADINS AND TOWED HOWITZERS. BOTH WEAPON SYSTEMS HAVE AN ACCURATE FIRING RANGE SURPASSING 18 MILES WHEN USING ROCKET ASSISTED PROJECTILES. ARKANSAS’ 217TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED OVER 80 SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION MISSIONS WHICH INCLUDED THE SAFE AND TIMELY DELIVERY OF OVER 40 THOUSAND GALLONS OF FUEL, MORE THAN 31 THOUSAND MEALS, NEARLY 500 THOUSAND SMALL ARMS ROUNDS AND OVER 100 ROCKETS. DELTA COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 153RD INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD WAS UTILIZED DURING OPERATION WESTERN STRIKE AS SIMULATED OPPOSITION FORCES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE REALISM AND OVERALL TRAINING EXPERIENCE OF THE BRIGADE DURING THE TWO WEEK LONG EXERCISE. PROVIDING MEDICAL SUPPORT DURING THE OPERATION WAS THE 213TH AREA SERVICE MEDICAL COMPANY FROM THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD. THIS WAS THE UNITS FINAL TRAINING EXERCISE AND OPERATION BEFORE FOLDING THEIR GUIDON COLORS AS THEIR UNIT IS BEING DISBANDED. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright

THE 142ND FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE SPEARHEADED OPERATION WESTERN STRIKE, A MULTI-STATE, EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT READINESS AND FIELD ARTILLERY GUNNERY EXERCISE AT CAMP GUERNSEY IN WYOMING. FIVE BATTALIONS FROM THREE SEPARATE STATES COMPRISED THE 142ND AND WAS COMMANDED BY LT. COL. NICK JASKOLSKI. THREE BATTALIONS FROM ARKANSAS, ONE FROM ALABAMA AND ANOTHER FROM TENNESSEE PARTICIPATED IN THE OPERATION. RAIL LOAD OPERATIONS WERE CONDUCTED FROM ALL THREE PARTICIPATING STATES. THIS MOVEMENT REQUIRED OVER 270 RAIL CARS AND FIVE TRAINS TO MOVE OVER 950 PIECES OF EQUIPMENT, SPANNING THE COURSE OF 4 DAYS AND REQUIRING OVER 150 SOLDIERS TO COMPLETE. 1ST BATTALION OF THE 142ND FROM ARKANSAS, AND THE 1ST BATTALION OF THE 181ST FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT FROM TENNESSEE, COLLECTIVELY FIRED OVER 100 REDUCED RANGE PRACTICE ROCKETS FROM THEIR MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEMS AND THEIR HIGH MOBILITY ARTILLERY ROCKET SYSTEMS. THE MLRS AND HIMARS CAN FIRE ACCURATELY UP TO 26 MILES AWAY WITH GUIDED OR UNGUIDED PROJECTILES OR UP TO A DISTANCE OF 190 MILES AWAY IF FIRING AN ARMY TACTICAL MISSILE SYSTEM. THE 2ND BATTALION OF THE 142ND FROM ARKANSAS AND THE 1ST BATTALION OF THE 117TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT FROM ALABAMA FIRED OVER 24 HUNDRED 155 MILLIMETER ROUNDS FROM THEIR PALADINS AND TOWED HOWITZERS. BOTH WEAPON SYSTEMS HAVE AN ACCURATE FIRING RANGE SURPASSING 18 MILES WHEN USING ROCKET ASSISTED PROJECTILES. ARKANSAS’ 217TH BRIGADE SUPPORT BATTALION SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED OVER 80 SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION MISSIONS WHICH INCLUDED THE SAFE AND TIMELY DELIVERY OF OVER 40 THOUSAND GALLONS OF FUEL, MORE THAN 31 THOUSAND MEALS, NEARLY 500 THOUSAND SMALL ARMS ROUNDS AND OVER 100 ROCKETS. DELTA COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 153RD INFANTRY REGIMENT OF THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD WAS UTILIZED DURING OPERATION WESTERN STRIKE AS SIMULATED OPPOSITION FORCES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE REALISM AND OVERALL TRAINING EXPERIENCE OF THE BRIGADE DURING THE TWO WEEK LONG EXERCISE. PROVIDING MEDICAL SUPPORT DURING THE OPERATION WAS THE 213TH AREA SERVICE MEDICAL COMPANY FROM THE ARKANSAS NATIONAL GUARD. THIS WAS THE UNITS FINAL TRAINING EXERCISE AND OPERATION BEFORE FOLDING THEIR GUIDON COLORS AS THEIR UNIT IS BEING DISBANDED.

The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade spearheaded Operation Western Strike, a multi-state, emergency deployment readiness and field artillery gunnery exercise at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming. See slate for additional information. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

The 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Arkansas National...

Lt. Col. Nick Jaskolski, Commander, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Arkansas National Guard, speaks about the overall operations conducted during the large scale, multi-state, field artillery training exercise named Operation Western Strike. Key points discussed are logistical movements, multi-state cooperation, overall training exercise evaluations and plans for the future. Field artillery battalions from Alabama and Tennessee fell under the command of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade from Arkansas. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright and Staff Sgt. James Heuston)

Lt. Col. Nick Jaskolski, Commander, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Arkansas National Guard, speaks about the role of the 1st Battalion, 117th Field Artillery Regiment of the Alabama National Guard as they participated in a major, multi-state, field artillery exercise named Operation Western Strike. The battalion from Alabama brought their M777 Howitzers to the exercise. The M777 is a portable cannon can that be frequently moved and redeployed with a firing range over 18 miles. The M777 Howitzer fires 155mm rounds. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright and Staff Sgt. James Heuston)

Lt. Col. Nick Jaskolski, Commander, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Arkansas National Guard, speaks about the role of the 1st Battalion, 181st Field Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard as they participated in a major, multi-state, field artillery exercise named Operation Western Strike. The battalion from Tennessee brought their M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) to the exercise. The HIMARS is capable of firing six rockets or one surface-to-surface Army Tactical Missile (ATacMS) and has the capability to fire accurately at a distance of over 180 miles. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright and Staff Sgt. James Heuston)

The 213th ASMC of the Arkansas National Guard mobilized to Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, to provide medical support for a large scale training exercise named Operation Western Strike. The 213th established a location to set a field hospital where treatment could be administered to any possible injured personnel. Western Strike is a large scale field artillery training exercise, comprised of several states, and spearheaded by the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade of the Arkansas National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)