News

A small unmanned aircraft system operator course was conducted on Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Feb. 19-28, 2026. The 10-day course is conducted by the 166th Regiment - Regional Training Institute and teaches students how to properly operate small drones in large scale combat scenarios. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Kayden Bedwell)

Drones up: WV Guardsmen train for the modern battlefield

By Sgt. Kayden Bedwell | July 1, 2026

A small unmanned aircraft system operator course was conducted Feb. 19-28 at Fort Indiantown Gap...

U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe throws the ceremonial first pitch during the Washington Nationals National Guard Appreciation Game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., May 18, 2026. The first-pitch baseball was presented by Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, prior to the game honoring National Guard service members and their contributions to the nation. Photo by Staff Sgt. Brianna Rodriguez-Munns.

National Guard Day at Nationals Park Celebrates Guard Service, Community

By Capt. James Mason, | May 19, 2026

More than 250 Soldiers and Airmen from throughout the National Guard took part in National Guard Day at Nationals Park in Washington, highlighting the Guard’s service, sacrifice and community connection.Guard members joined...

Behind the Lens: 153rd PAD Delivers Full Coverage at Best Warrior Competition

By Erica Bodker | May 15, 2026

While Soldiers and Airmen from across West Virginia and the District of Columbia National Guard competed in the Best Warrior Competition hosted by the West Virginia Army National Guard on April 9-12, 2026, there was another...

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presents the Soldier’s Medal to Army Maj. Ryan S. Reynolds, 771st Troop Command Battalion executive officer; and the Airman’s Medal to Air Force Maj. Edwin O. Stanfield, 167th Airlift Wing intelligence officer, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, May 4, 2026. Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Carson Croom.

West Virginia Guardsmen Awarded Medals for Heroism in Nation's Capital

By C. Todd Lopez, | May 6, 2026

Two West Virginia National Guardsmen were recognized May 4 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes for actions late last year while working as part of Joint Task Force District of Columbia – an effort directed by President Donald J...

Members of the National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Office conduct livestream operations during the virtual NGB-PA Public Affairs Training Workshop, in Arlington, Va., April 22, 2026. The Public Affairs Training Workshop is an annual event that brings the Guard enterprise together and ensures that Public Affairs professionals have a platform to share best practices and get the most up to date information such as pending changes to the field. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amber Peck.

W.Va. PAO on crisis panel, National Guard Bureau Hosts Public Affairs Training Workshop

By Capt. James Mason, | April 29, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard Bureau Public Affairs Office hosted its 2026 Public Affairs Training Workshop, April 20-22, a three-day virtual event bringing together more than 225 public affairs professionals from 52...

The West Virginia National Guard’s Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare Exercise & Laboratory is a uniquely innovative and globally influential joint multinational training program, innovation laboratory, and U.S. Special Operations Forces validation platform headquartered out of Camp Dawson, West Virginia. Chief of the National Guard Bureau Gen. Steve Nordhaus attended his first RR IWX & Laboratory Distinguished Visitors Day on April 22, 2026, at the invitation of WVNG Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, and Ridge Runner Program Director, Col. Tyler Vaughn. (U.S. Army National Guard photos)

From the West Virginia Hills to Capitol Hill, Guard’s Irregular Warfare exercise recognized at forefront of global deterrence, strategic agility, and warfighter innovation

By Army Sgt. Zoe Morris, West Virginia National Guard | April 27, 2026

The day after praising the West Virginia National Guard’s Ridge Runner Irregular Warfare Exercise & Laboratory while testifying before the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Steve...

West Virginia Army National Guard medics sharpened their lifesaving skills during a 12-day combat medic recertification course at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, on Jan. 19-30, 2026, culminating in a large-scale field exercise simulating the realities of battlefield medicine

West Virginia Army National Guard Medics Complete Intensive 68W Recertification Training at Camp Dawson

By Erica Bodker | March 17, 2026

West Virginia Army National Guard medics sharpened their lifesaving skills during a 12-day combat medic recertification course at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia, on Jan. 19-30, 2026, culminating in a large-scale field...

The West Virginia National Guard welcomed the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces commander and senior leaders during a tour of Scouting America facilities at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia, on Feb. 13, 2026. The tour was a part of an ongoing effort to strengthen international partnerships and to prepare for the Scouting America National Jamboree scheduled for this summer. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake.

West Virginia Guard, Qatar Strengthen Security Ties for Scout Event

By Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake, | Feb. 26, 2026

The West Virginia National Guard welcomed the Qatar Armed Forces Military Police Forces commander and senior leaders during a Feb. 13 tour of Scouting America facilities at the Summit Bechtel Reserve as part of an ongoing...

Firefighters from the 167th Airlift Wing were the first on scene at a Berkeley County garage fire on Feb. 7, 2026 preventing flames from spreading into the home’s main living area.

167th Airlift Wing Firefighters first on scene at Berkely County structure fire

By Erica Bodker | Feb. 23, 2026

Firefighters from the 167th Airlift Wing were the first on scene at a Berkeley County garage fire on Feb. 7, 2026 preventing flames from spreading into the home’s main living area...

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brett Fries, U.S. Army Pfc. Tyler E. Farley and Sgt. Devin Cantwell, members of the West Virginia National Guard, pose for a photo before their patrols in Washington, D.C., Dec. 31, 2025. On Dec. 15, 2025, they helped extinguish a dryer fire in an apartment building on Massachusetts Avenue Northwest. About 2,500 National Guard members are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, providing critical support to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of those who live, work in and visit the District. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Renee Crugnale.

West Virginia National Guard mission in Washington, D.C. to continue

By Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake | Jan. 29, 2026

As recently announced by Governor Patrick Morrisey, the West Virginia National Guard will continue its mission in Washington, D.C. through the remainder of the year, supporting ongoing efforts to assist with public safety...