News

Arkansas National Guard Year in Review 2024

Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office

July 22, 2025 | 11:22

Arkansas National Guard Year in Review 2024

Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office

July 22, 2025 | 11:22

Player Embed Code:

ARNG Public Affairs Office – Latest News

Loading feed...

Arkansas Air Guard Participates in REFORPAC 25 Exercise
July 9, 2025 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – The Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Wing is playing a... MORE

The 188th Wing is playing a pivotal role in Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) 25, the Pacific Air Force’s most comprehensive contingency response exercise, running from July 10 to August 8, 2025.

Arkansas Guard Participates in CENTAM Guardian 2025 in Guatemala
May 14, 2025 — CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON, Ark. – More than 60 Arkansas National Guardsmen are participating in CENTAM... MORE

U.S. and Honduran infantrymen ruck at Mariscal Zavala, Guatemala, May 12, 2025. As part of CENTAM Guardian 25, infantrymen from Honduras, U.S., El Salvador and Guatemala, rucked to their exercise site where they will execute specific survival tactics in the Guatemalan jungles.

Arkansas Air Guard’s 188th Wing Readiness Validated
March 14, 2025 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. – The 188th Wing demonstrated resilience and operational... MORE

The 188th Wing participated in a combat readiness inspection exercise from Feb. 27 to March 2, 2025, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas. Multiple personnel from the 188th Security Forces Squadron and the 188th Civil Engineer Squadron headed into the field on Day 2 of the exercise.

Arkansas Guard’s 189th Airlift Wing Takes 1st C-130J Flight
February 10, 2025 — LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. – The 189th Airlift Wing conducted its first training flight in a... MORE

The aircrew for an EC-130J assigned to the 189th Airlift Wing poses for a group photo Feb. 7, 2025. The crew conducted the first training flight in a J-model C-130 for the Arkansas Air National Guard, an important step toward fleet modernization for the Air National Guard.

New Era Begins with Arrival of Poland’s F-35s at Ebbing ANGB
December 26, 2024 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The first pair of F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft... MORE

The 33rd Fighter Wing and Ebbing Air National Guard Base welcomed the arrival of the first two Polish Air Force F-35A Lightning II at the base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Dec. 23, 2024. Polish pilots will train on the aircraft at Ebbing ANGB beginning in January.

NGB Hosts Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations Systems-Modular Master Gunner Course
November 13, 2024 — NEW ORLEANS – The National Guard Bureau hosted the second Deployable Defensive Cyber Operations... MORE

Guardsmen from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin participate in a two-week Army National Guard Defensive Deployable Cyber Operations Systems-Modular Master Gunner Course at Jackson Barracks, a Louisiana National Guard installation in New Orleans, Oct. 28 to Nov. 7, 2024.

National Guard Helps Hurricane Milton, Helene Victims
October 9, 2024 — ARLINGTON, Va. - Over 11,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were conducting Hurricane Milton and... MORE

U.S. Army Sgt. Isaac Bradshaw, a combat medic with C Company, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, North Carolina Army National Guard, wraps his arms around an older couple and uses his body to block them from debris and strong winds produced by the rotorwash of a landing CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Burnsville, North Carolina, Oct. 10, 2024. The Chinook crew brought generators, fuel and other supplies to the remote area after floodwaters washed away the main road after Hurricane Helene.

Arkansas National Guard Air Wing Receives C-130J Aircraft
September 26, 2024 — LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. - The 189th Air Wing officially began its first aircraft conversion... MORE

From left, U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Noah Polcar, loadmaster, 154th Training Squadron, Maj. Robert Stephenson, pilot, 154th TRS, Maj. Eric Zane, pilot, 154th TRS, Master Sgt. Levi Sortomme, loadmaster, 154th TRS, Staff Sgt. Dakoda Baker, crew chief, 189th Maintenance Group, and Master Sgt. Jacob Shaulis, crew chief, 189th MXG, in front of the second of the first two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft received by the 189th AW after initial arrival at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas, Sept. 18, 2024.

National Guard Rifle Team Clinches Dogs of War Trophy
August 12, 2024 — CAMP PERRY, Ohio - The All National Guard six-person marksman team won the National Trophy, also... MORE

The All National Guard Rifle Team poses with the target they struck from 600 yards after winning the National Trophy, also known as the Dogs of War Trophy, and the Hilton Trophy during the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, Aug. 2, 2024. This is the third time the National Guard won the National Trophy since its inception in 1903.

National Guard Professional Education Center Celebrates 50 Years
May 20, 2024 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Fifty years ago, the Army National Guard identified a need to provide... MORE

Col. Cathi Cherry, commander of the Professional Education Center; Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard; Lt. Col. Elvin Zapata, oldest Soldier serving at PEC; Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders; Sgt. Rhett Crandall, youngest Soldier serving at PEC; and Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, cut the cake at a 50th-anniversary celebration for the PEC on Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas, May 16, 2024. PEC is home to more than 480 courses spanning six battalions to train Army National Guard Soldiers and Department of Army civilians in cybersecurity, human resources, logistics, recruiting and retention, strategy and leader development, and finance.

Wisconsin Soldier, Arkansas Team Win Small Arms Championship
May 10, 2024 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Wisconsin National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Swanson won the title of... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Swanson of the Wisconsin National Guard won the Individual Grand Aggregate award at the 53rd Winston P. Wilson Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas, April 27-May 3, 2024.

National Guard Athletes Finish Strong at Lincoln Marathon
May 6, 2024 — LINCOLN, Neb. - Twenty-one of the National Guard’s best athletes from the All Guard Marathon Team,... MORE

Puerto Rico National Guard runner Sgt. Angeles Virella crosses the finish line of the 47th annual Lincoln Marathon and Half Marathon May 5, 2024, in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Nebraska National Guard has a long history of supporting the Lincoln Marathon, which biennially serves as the time trials for the National Guard All Guard Marathon Team.

Arkansas Guardsmen Return from Southwest Asia Deployment
December 11, 2023 — LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Central Arkansas families are smiling a little brighter this holiday season... MORE

Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, Arkansas adjutant general, greets Arkansas National Guard members returning from a nine-month deployment to Southwest Asia before they are reunited with their families Dec. 9, 2023.

National Guard Members Showcase Innovation
December 8, 2023 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The 2023 National Guard Bureau Innovation Challenge showcased the inventive prowess... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, SEA to the CNGB, center left and center right, respectively, with competitors of the 2023 National Guard Bureau Innovation Challenge at the Herbert R. Temple Jr. Army National Guard Readiness Center, Arlington Hall Station, Virginia, Dec. 7, 2023. Arizona Army National Guard members took home top honors for their concept of exportable maneuver live-fire capabilities that could help units achieve training requirements.

Arkansas Air Guard Medics Provide Free Medical Care in Guatemala
December 5, 2023 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Thirty-six Arkansas National Guardsmen from the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air... MORE

Arkansas National Guardsmen from the 188th Wing at Ebbing Air National Guard base in Fort Smith and the 189th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville departed Dec. 1 for a seven-day mission providing free medical care in Guatemala City.

U.S. and Pacific Joint Forces Train Together
November 22, 2023 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Joint Forces from across the United States and the Pacific... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, exit a C-17 Globemaster III during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-1 at March Air Reserve Base, California, Oct. 28, 2023. JPMRC 24-1 included over 5,300 participants from the U.S. Joint Force, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Thailand.

Arkansas National Guard Competes in Cyber Challenge
November 13, 2023 — FORT SMITH, Ark. - Four members of the 188th Intelligence Support Squadron at Ebbing Air National... MORE

Four members of the 188th Intelligence Support Squadron at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, competed against 27 teams in a two-day cybersecurity challenge in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Nov. 3-5. Tech. Sgts. Donald McKellip and Brandon Wheeler, Staff Sgt. Tommy Patton and Senior Airman Dalton Landrum were selected for their expertise, interest in the event, and the needs of the squadron.

35th Infantry Division Hosts 2023 Readiness Symposium
September 19, 2023 — LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The 35th Infantry Division hosted the first Division Readiness Symposium,... MORE

The 35th Infantry Division hosted the First Annual Division Readiness Symposium Sept. 9-10, 2023, welcoming a diverse array of units from the Army National Guard in several states to Division Headquarters in Leavenworth, Kansas. The event aimed to enhance communication and understanding, ensuring operational, exercise and deployment readiness.

National Guard Fights Louisiana Wildfires From the Air
September 1, 2023 — NEW ORLEANS – National Guard helicopter crews from Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and... MORE

Louisiana National Guard aviation assets began water-drop missions Aug. 23, 2023, to combat wildfires in western Louisiana. They have been assisted by the Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee National Guard.

Mississippi, Arkansas Guard Airmen Train with Coast Guard
August 30, 2023 — GULFPORT, Miss. - The 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Mississippi Air National Guard, and the... MORE

Aeromedical evacuation technicians from the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron administer aid to a simulated patient during medical airlift evacuation training in Gulfport, Mississippi, July 20, 2023. The 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron conducted annual training with the 189th Medical Group, Arkansas ANG, U.S. Coast Guard New Orleans and Gulfport.

Cyber Shield Hones Skills, Builds Partnerships
June 20, 2023 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - More than 800 National Guard Airmen, Soldiers and international partners... MORE

Sgt. Azaria Christian, incident response division chief, North Carolina National Guard, participates in the NetWars competition during the Cyber Shield training exercise at the Professional Education Center, Little Rock, Ark., June 9, 2023. Participants tested their defensive cybersecurity skills.

182nd AW Leads C-130 Hercules Operations at Air Defender 23
June 15, 2023 — WUNSTORF AIR BASE, Germany – The Illinois Air National Guard’s 182nd Airlift Wing is leading C-130... MORE

U.S. Airmen with the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois National Guard, deplane a C-130 Hercules aircraft to prepare for exercise Air Defender 2023 at Wunstorf Air Base, Wunstorf, Germany, May 31, 2023. Exercise AD23 integrates U.S. and Allied air power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world.

Arkansas Airmen Complete Combative Training Exercise
June 9, 2023 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. - Members of the 188th Security Forces Squadron honed their... MORE

Tech Sgt. Onan Castro, top, and Master Sgt. Jordan Wiley, combative instructors of the 188th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrate defensive techniques during a training session June 8, 2023, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas. Security Forces Airmen refine their skills in hand-to-hand combat and grappling maneuvers to excel in close-quarters combat scenarios.

188th Wing Hosts Emergency Management Course
May 30, 2023 — EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. - The 188th Wing hosted the Air National Guard’s Specialized... MORE

SPEARS students prepare to load their MRZR vehicle on a CH-47 Chinook that will transport them into an austere training environment May 25, 2023, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark. The MRZR is engineered to meet the demands of emergency response operation in various terrains and environments.

New York Guard Completes Ukrainian Troop Training Mission
April 28, 2023 — GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat... MORE

Authority over the Joint Multinational Training Group — Ukraine mission is transferred from Task Force Orion, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, to Task Force Bowie, 39th IBCT, Arkansas Army National Guard during a ceremony in Grafenwoehr, Germany, April 28, 2023. JMTG-U ensures the combat effectiveness of Armed Forces of Ukraine soldiers training on systems and equipment issued under the U.S. Presidential Drawdown Authority, and training in combined arms and joint maneuver.

Army Guard Sniper Team Wins International Sniper Competition
April 27, 2023 — FORT BENNING, Ga. - It’s official. Soldiers from the U.S. Army National Guard are the best snipers... MORE

Team Leader Sgt. 1st Class Erik Vargas of the New Mexico National Guard, and teammates Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cotten and Staff Sgt. Allen Smith of the Arkansas National Guard during the International Sniper Competition at Fort Benning, Ga., April 8-13, 2023. The team placed first.

39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Work With Ukrainian Forces
April 6, 2023 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - More than 160 Guardsmen from the Arkansas National Guard‘s 39th Infantry... MORE

More than 160 Guardsmen from the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters departed Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas, April 4, 2023, and will make their way to Grafenwoehr, Germany, for a year-long mission training Ukrainian armed forces.

Hokanson: Army Guard Aviation is big, Widespread, Capable
January 26, 2023 — FORT RUCKER, Ala. – The National Guard’s top leader talked with Army aviators Tuesday about how the... MORE

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, addresses Army National Guard aviation students at Fort Rucker, Alabama, Jan. 24, 2023. The Army Guard has aviation assets and facilities in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.

Guard Continues Domestic, Global Missions in a Busy 2022
December 21, 2022 — ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard’s footprint on domestic and international events continued in... MORE

Spc. Megan Koszarek, an infantryman with the Alaska Army National Guard’s Avalanche Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, conducts a security sweep during a training exercise near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 3, 2022. The exercise's aim was to enhance the unit’s combat readiness and evaluate proficiency in an arctic environment.

Arkansas Air Guardsmen Provide Medical Care in Guatemala
October 31, 2022 — PUERTO BARRIOS, Guatemala – Arkansas Air National Guard members helped provide medical care in... MORE

Senior Airman Tabari Matthews, 189th dental technician, assists Canadian Army Capt. Cleve Kim, dentist, in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, Oct. 28, 2022, during Continuing Promise 2022. Arkansas Air National Guard members worked alongside U.S. and foreign military forces, government officials and civilian personnel to provide medical care, improve interoperability, and develop enduring relationships.

Arkansas Guardsman Takes Care of Medical Group
October 20, 2022 — FORT SMITH, Ark. – As a teenager, Ché Kinnard liked art. In college, he became more interested in... MORE

Senior Master Sgt. Ché Kinnard, seated, talks with members of the 188th Medical Group at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas. The 188th Medical Group heads to Guatemala in October 2022 for a joint, Medical Ready Training Exercise mission with the Navy.

Army National Guard signal conference highlights data, data transport modernization
June 1, 2022 — LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A theme echoed throughout May’s 2022 Army National Guard G-6 Tactical... MORE

Project Manager Tactical Network, at the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical, and the Arkansas Army National Guard 239th Brigade Engineering Battalion, demonstrated the Disaster Incident Response Emergency Communications Terminal (DIRECT) tool suite during the 2022 Army National Guard G6 Tactical Communications Conference in May 2022 at Little Rock, Arkansas. DIRECT enables Army National Guard signal units to provide commercial phone, internet access, command post Wi-Fi and radio interoperability to first responders.

National Guard Marksmanship Training Center increases lethality, a round at a time
December 10, 2021 — FORT CHAFFEE, Ark. – A rifle is fired, sending a round downrange at more than twice the speed of... MORE

Thirty-three teams gathered at the 51st Winston P. Wilson and 31st Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting Sniper Rifle Matches hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Barling, Arkansas, Dec. 4-9, 2021.

National Guard neighbors help Louisiana rebuild after Ida
October 1, 2021 — NEW ORLEANS – Every military service member understands sacrifice and selfless service are part of... MORE

Mississippi National Guard 2nd Lt. Austin Riels, assigned to the 113th Military Police Company, 112th Military Police Battalion, waves vehicles through a traffic control point after Hurricane Ida, Grand Isle, Louisiana, Sept. 17, 2021.

All Guard Combat team named marksmanship champions
September 13, 2021 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Six four-person teams consisting of top shooters from the National Guard... MORE

Army Sgt 1st. Class Michael Bautista, Idaho National Guard, examines his target during a rifle match Sept. 3, 2021, at the 30th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Meeting at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center. Established in 1991, the Armed Forces Skills at Arms Meeting (AFSAM) is a multinational and interservice competition created to promote marksmanship training and competition between the different components and services of U.S. military forces and allied nations.

Arkansas, North Dakota Guardsmen win rifle, pistol competition
September 13, 2021 — NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Fifty-three four-person teams from across the National Guard competed in... MORE

Staff Sgt. James Dansie, Utah National Guard, fires his pistol Sept. 2, 2021, during the General George Patton Combat Pistol match of the 50th Winston P. Wilson and the 30th Armed Forces Skill at Arms Championships, hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center, held at the Robinson Joint Maneuver Training Center, North Little Rock, Ark.

National Guard responds in force to Hurricane Ida
September 1, 2021 — ARLINGTON, Va. – Thousands of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen responding to Hurricane Ida in... MORE

Louisiana National Guardsmen rescue people in LaPlace, Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. More than 6,000 members of the National Guard from more than a dozen states were in Louisiana assisting state and federal partners with relief efforts.

Senegal soldiers observe JRTC training in Louisiana
July 23, 2021 — FORT POLK, La. – Senegalese soldiers visited the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) July 22 to... MORE