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    Contact Us  The National Guard in 2020
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  The National Guard in 2020
 
 "2020 has challenged us all; I am proud of the way National Guard men and women served their communities and nation this year."

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief, National Guard Bureau

National Guard closes out historic year during pivotal time

By Air Force Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith
National Guard BureauArmy Gen. Daniel Hokanson testified as a lieutenant general at a Senate confirmation hearing for his appointment to the grade of general and to be the chief of the National Guard Bureau, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., June 18. A member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hokanson would be confirmed as the 29th chief of the NGB, succeeding Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, who retired. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill)ARLINGTON, Va. – Tears. It’s what greeted a Michigan National Guard Soldier delivering protective equipment to 15 to 20 relieved and very appreciative nursing facility workers during the height of the pandemic.

“That really opened my eyes to what’s really going on out there,” said Army Staff Sgt. Jacob Schrot, with the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Regiment, 63rd Troop Brigade.

Eye-opening would also be an apt description of the National Guard’s historic homeland response accomplishments in 2020. Whether serving on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic; responding with compassion and professionalism to record civil disturbances across the nation; or rescuing hundreds of people trapped by wildfires that carpeted millions of acres in the West, National Guard members logged more than 8.4 million days serving their communities in fiscal year 2020.

All this, noted Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, while meeting every overseas security requirement.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our National Guard’s efforts to help our communities heal in this unprecedented time,” said Hokanson, who was sworn in as the NGB’s 29th chief in August, succeeding Air Force Gen. Joseph Lengyel, who retired.

Army Master Sgt. Acie Matthews Jr., an equal employment opportunity advisor with the Minnesota Army National Guard, peacefully engages with a protester at the Minnesota state capitol in St. Paul, June 1. During the demonstrations, Matthews Jr. would approach more protesters — armed with only a helmet and a sense of duty to connect. “We’re on the same team,” he told one protester. “This is Minnesota’s Army. We’re not some outside force that just came in here.” (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Linsey Williams)As early as mid-February, the Guard was supporting coronavirus response efforts to local agencies.

Soldiers with the Washington Army National Guard’s 341st Military Intelligence Battalion translated safety and preparedness messages into multiple languages, helping people who don’t speak English understand how to avoid the coronavirus.

Weeks later, the world began to take notice of Guard response efforts when video emerged of California Air National Guard crew members rappelling from an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter to deliver test kits to a cruise ship at sea.

“The COVID-19 mission was a unique tasking for our team,” said Chief Master Sgt. Seth Zweben, a pararescueman with the California Air Guard’s 129th Rescue Wing. “It did not necessarily classify as a classic ‘rescue’ mission, but it certainly contributed to saving lives.”

As the onslaught of the pandemic spread into the spring – wreaking havoc on the nation’s economy and threatening public health – the Guard quickly stepped up its efforts, staffing call centers, organizing alternative care sites, administering testing and sanitizing facilities.

In New York City, Guard members had the somber duty of assisting authorities with the dignified removal of remains as health care personnel became overwhelmed when coronavirus-related deaths spiked.

Not the kind of “Drive-Thru” many Americans have come to know. Soldiers with the Michigan Army National Guard, working with health care officials, conduct COVID-19 drive-through testing in Munising, Michigan, July 18. (Photo by Michigan Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Tegan Kucera)“Everyone understands the gravity of the situation,” said Air Force 1st Lt. Shawn Lavin, the officer in charge of a fatality search and recovery team with the New York Air National Guard’s 107th Attack Wing. “It’s a mentally and physically taxing job.”

Across the nation, Guard members trained first responders how to use personal protective equipment, or PPE, and distributed the equipment. They also worked at food banks, augmenting civilians who ordinarily organize, package and distribute food.

“I am glad I am [here], just helping people out and serving the community,” said Spc. Josh Canales, a combat engineer with the Virginia Army National Guard’s Company A, 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion. “To know that just because there are bad things happening, good things are coming out of it.”

While the pandemic response would continue throughout the year, Guard members in 23 states and the District of Columbia would be activated by the end of May to respond to civil disturbances.

Guard members were primarily used to assist local law enforcement and first responders.

During demonstrations, Army Master Sgt. Acie Matthews Jr., an equal employment opportunity adviser with the Minnesota Army National Guard, approached protesters – armed with only a helmet and a sense of duty to connect.

‘Neath an orange sky. A California Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk makes its way around treacherous conditions to rescue trapped campers inside the Sierra National Forest, California, Sept. 5. Limited visibility from the heavy smoke, and flying at night, made the mission very difficult, recalled Army Sgt. George Esquivel, a helicopter mechanic with the California Army Guard’s B Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment. “I can’t really describe my initial reaction because [the] training just kicked in,” he said. (Courtesy of California National Guard)“We’re on the same team,” he told one protester. “This is Minnesota’s Army. We’re not some outside force that just came in here.”

District of Columbia National Guard members had similar feelings.

“I live about a 15-minute walk from here, [and] there are a lot of people who want to come out and protest, and they are a little unsure about whether it’s a safe thing to do,” said Army 1st Lt. John McGlothlin, with the D.C. Guard. “We’re trying to make sure they feel safe enough to come out here and express their opinions.”

By early June, more than 86,000 Guard members were performing domestic missions in support of governors – a record number, and the largest homeland response activation since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005.

But civil disturbances and a global pandemic weren’t the only challenges the Guard faced in 2020.

As massive wildfires raged throughout the West, Guard members were called in to augment firefighters, protect property, provide real-time aerial images to incident command centers, drop water from helicopters, and spray retardant on fires via the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS).

“This is a very large fire, [and] we’ve been sent out to the high-risk areas with the most fire activity to cut some hand lines directly against the fire line – basically preventing fires from impeding on some of the communities around here,” said Air Force Capt. Joseph Tabor, a fire crew team leader with the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Attack Wing.

While wildfires proved to be a threat to the infrastructure of those communities, to others, it was life or death.

In early September, pilots and crew members with the California Army National Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade braved treacherous conditions to rescue nearly 400 people inside the Sierra National Forest.

The Army National Guard’s annual Best Warrior Competition continued despite a record-breaking year of homeland response missions. Here, Army Staff Sgt. Mitchell Scofield, an infantryman with the Mississippi Army National Guard’s Regional Training Institute, pulls himself to the end of the line during the “Commando Crawl” portion of an obstacle course event at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Sept. 14. Scofield took home top honors in the Noncommissioned Officer of the Year category of the competition. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith)Limited visibility from the heavy smoke, and flying at night, made the mission very difficult, recalled Army Sgt. George Esquivel, a helicopter mechanic with the California Army Guard’s B Company, 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment.

“I can’t really describe my initial reaction because [the] training just kicked in,” Esquivel said. “One of the first things that we all agreed on was we need to put the aircraft down safely. Without the aircraft and the crew being safe, there is no mission, and we can’t help anyone out.”

What happened next would be something he would describe as “the worst sight of my life” and “apocalyptic,” with flames all around, making their way up to campers, hikers and area residents – some critically injured – needing to be evacuated.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Irvin Hernandez, a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter pilot with the California Army Guard, said his senses were heightened the whole time.

“We’re not a godsend or special,” he insisted. “We’re just ordinary people who did [a] job, and we love it.”

As the wildfires raged, Guard units in Gulf Coast states responded to hurricane recovery efforts.

After Hurricane Zeta made landfall in late October, Mississippi National Guard members were on hand to assist at distribution sites — providing water, food, tarps, hand sanitizer and masks.

In anticipation of hospitals nationwide becoming overwhelmed with patients as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, health care officials needed medical stations as backups. Here, New Jersey Air National Guard members set up hospital equipment during the buildup of a field medical station at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, April 9. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht)“We are providing aid – much-needed aid – to the people impacted by Zeta,” said Army Sgt. Derrick Woulard, infantryman with the Mississippi Army National Guard’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 155th Infantry Regiment, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. “As a Gulf Coast resident myself, I feel excited and honored to help these people – my neighbors.”

In addition to distributing supplies, Guard members from units across the nation responded to Hurricanes Isaias, Laura and Sally, supporting state and local officials with logistics, transportation and traffic control.

The year also saw the continued growth of the Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, or SPP, which pairs National Guard elements with partner nations worldwide.

In August, the Texas National Guard paired with the Arab Republic of Egypt as part of the SPP.

“The Texas (Guard) is proud to play a key role in the overall U.S.–Egypt relationship,” said Army Maj. Gen. Tracy R. Norris, the adjutant general of the Texas National Guard.  “The formal establishment of our partnership through the State Partnership Program codifies and makes official a relationship between our militaries that has been in the making for decades.”

Soldiers with the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 105th Military Police Battalion stand guard in a city street, ensuring that a protester is able to practice her 1st Amendment rights in Raleigh, North Carolina, May 31. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Hannah Tarkelly)During the year, some Guard units even strengthened their ties with their partners by joining the fight against the coronavirus.

In May, Soldiers and Airmen with the Illinois National Guard worked alongside members of the Polish Military Medical Corps – observing, advising and assisting at medical facilities in the Chicago area and sharing best practices learned from its own COVID-19 response efforts.

“The Polish military’s support to us here in Illinois during a global pandemic is a testament to the depth and commitment on both sides of our state partnership with Poland,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard R. Neely, the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard. “[Our] Soldiers have fought side-by-side with Polish Soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and now, we fight a whole different type of enemy together.”

The SPP now includes partnerships with 89 countries.

Having that global footprint also meant continued warfight deployments for Guard members.

Airmen with the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing supported a U.S. Central Command mission in March by providing aircraft refueling operations, and maintenance, logistical and medical personnel.

Spc. Antonio Hall, with the North Carolina Army National Guard’s 882nd Engineer Company, 105th Engineer Battalion, helps a resident gather his dogs after Hurricane Isaias had made its way through Windsor, North Carolina, Aug. 4. The North Carolina National Guard coordinated and assisted local and state officials to assess damage and aide civilians adversely affected by Isaias. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Lisa Vines)“The National Guard is always ready, so we’re always responding,” said Air Force Col. Robert Hargens, the commander of the wing. “We are still able to maintain a very robust capability here in the state ... even with the challenges that are happening right now.”

For some Guard units in other states, part of their response involved providing cyber units to assist with election security.

“Cyberattacks are unfortunately becoming more and more prevalent and can be executed by a hostile government or non-governmental players from anywhere in the world,” said Army 2nd Lt. David Parsons, a cybersecurity manager with the West Virginia Army National Guard. “Our democratic election process is a defining part of what makes our nation a beacon to the world, (and) protecting that process and making sure our fellow West Virginians can be confident in their voting process is an important mission.”

Annual exercises like Cyber Shield 2020, noted Neely, bring an added layer of readiness to all Guard cyber missions while building partnerships in the civilian sector.

“At Cyber Shield, we train on vital cyber skills, but we also train on teamwork with partners who come from different backgrounds,” he said. “Battle drills help us establish and exercise the framework for future responses to cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure, communities, states and our nation.”

Throughout the pandemic, Guard members distributed food, and positivity. Here, Army Staff Sgt. Norman M. Johnson, with the California Army National Guard, loads food into a vehicle at the Stockton/San Joaquin Emergency Food Bank in Stockton, California, June 26. Johnson, along with other Guard members throughout the nation, supported COVID-19 response efforts by augmenting civilian personnel at food distribution centers. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)The Guard’s space mission also soared in 2020.

Early in the year, the Counter Communications System Block 10.2, an electronic warfare system used by some Air National Guard units in support of the United States Space Force, achieved operating capability. According to Air Force Lt. Col. Warren Riner, a National Guard Bureau space functional area manager, the accomplishment highlights the Air Guard’s unique ability to tap civilian talent.

“The advantage of the National Guard’s unique relationship of Citizen-Airmen working full-time in industry with mission partners allows us to create a continuous feedback loop between system operators and contractors – providing the best counter communications system,” said Riner.

In May, National Guard members in Alaska and Hawaii provided search and rescue support as NASA launched its first manned space mission since 2011.

“We provide the rescue network with the C-17 (Globemaster III),” said Air Force Lt. Col. Anthony Davis, with the 154th Wing and head planner for the mission. “It’s an exciting moment to be able to return to such a meaningful mission.”

Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick J. Cobb, NGB’s deputy director of space operations, likened the Guard’s space mission to a relatively new military domain that took shape about a decade ago – cyber.

Throughout the year, National Guard members truly showed how embedded they were in their communities. Here, Army Capt. Macharia Davis, an intelligence officer with the District of Columbia Army National Guard’s, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 74th Troop Command, talks with individuals taking part in one of many demonstrations and protests in Washington, D.C., Saturday, June 6. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)“We are only scratching the surface of space right now,” he said.

As the Guard’s space mission continued to evolve, many Guard units closed out the year combating the spread of the coronavirus. Guard members from 50 states, three territories and D.C. logged over 6.9 million days in 2020 conducting more than 9.3 million COVID-19 tests and screenings; sanitizing 2,300 facilities; serving and delivering 584 million meals; and distributing 387 million masks, gloves, gowns and PPE.

“Our Soldiers and Airmen are fully committed to this fight,” said Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, the adjutant general of the Tennessee National Guard, which administered more than a half-million COVID-19 tests by late November. “They have sacrificed their well-being, while being away from families and the comforts of home, so we can try to conquer this pandemic and save lives.”

And fighting what many described as the “invisible enemy” would require the careful collection and transportation of the first COVID-19 vaccines.

Again, Guard members – such as those with the Oklahoma National Guard – rose to the occasion.

“I signed up to help my community, and to be able to do it firsthand during the pandemic has been really rewarding to me,” said Spc. Martin Gamarra, with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 90th Troop Command.

Soldiers with the Wyoming Army National Guard’s 115th Field Artillery Brigade fire rocket-propelled rounds from a truck during an exercise with Kuwait Land Forces at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait, Feb. 10. The Soldiers deployed to support Task Force Spartan, a U.S. Army component force that strengthens defense relationships, builds partner capacity and jointly deters regional aggression. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry)Gamarra was a member of one of two Oklahoma Guard teams collecting and transporting the vaccines to health care professionals across the state in mid-December.

“I never thought I’d be working with other (state government) branches, let alone the health department, and it’s awesome to see firsthand how hard these nurses work every day with COVID-19,” Gamarra said. “Seeing the vaccine is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

In a year teeming with challenges, Hokanson said the Guard stands ready for what may come.

“As 2020 has shown us time and again, our work is invaluable to our communities, states, and nation – and we have plenty of work to do,” he said. “This is an important and pivotal time in the Guard’s history. What we do now, and what we do next, will ultimately shape our nation’s future.”
 New York Army National Guard Sgt. Major Nicholas Pardi, a member of the 104th Military Police Battalion, presents an American flag during an impromptu memorial service for a  veteran who died of COVID-19 while a patient at the Javits New York Medical Station in the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, April 19, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Air Force Maj. Patrick Cordova)200419-Z-XO860-1014
                            New York Army National Guard Sgt. Major Nicholas Pardi, a member of the 104th Military Police Battalion, presents an American flag during an impromptu memorial service for a  veteran who died of COVID-19 while a patient at the Javits New York Medical Station in the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, April 19, 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Air Force Maj. Patrick Cordova)
 Making sure the still of the night remains still. More than 100 Soldiers with the Maryland Army National Guard provided a security presence over historical landmarks along the National Mall in response to civil unrest in Washington, D.C., June 6. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Thaddeus Harrington)200604-Z-CY398-077
                            Making sure the still of the night remains still. More than 100 Soldiers with the Maryland Army National Guard provided a security presence over historical landmarks along the National Mall in response to civil unrest in Washington, D.C., June 6. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Thaddeus Harrington)
 Soldiers with the West Virginia National Guard’s Task Force Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Enterprise sanitize workspaces for a university office in Charleston, West Virginia, April 11. Utilizing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention environmental cleaning and disinfection recommendations, Guard members sanitized workspaces on multiple floors of the university building, helping to combat the possible spread of the coronavirus and allowing employees to safely return to work. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)200411-Z-FC129-036
                            Soldiers with the West Virginia National Guard’s Task Force Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Enterprise sanitize workspaces for a university office in Charleston, West Virginia, April 11. Utilizing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention environmental cleaning and disinfection recommendations, Guard members sanitized workspaces on multiple floors of the university building, helping to combat the possible spread of the coronavirus and allowing employees to safely return to work. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Edwin L. Wriston)
 As the year would prove to be a record-breaking one for massive wildfires raging throughout the West, National Guard members were activated to help augment firefighters. Here, Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Garvida, an engineer superintendent with the Washington Air National Guard’s 194th Wing, sizes up the next challenge of a wildfire fight near Inchelium, Washington, Sept 16. Garvida as well as 14 other Air National Guard members from the 194th Wing and 225th Air Defense Group spent 10 days fighting fires in Eastern Washington. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Tim Chacon)200916-Z-PD696-429
                            As the year would prove to be a record-breaking one for massive wildfires raging throughout the West, National Guard members were activated to help augment firefighters. Here, Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Garvida, an engineer superintendent with the Washington Air National Guard’s 194th Wing, sizes up the next challenge of a wildfire fight near Inchelium, Washington, Sept 16. Garvida as well as 14 other Air National Guard members from the 194th Wing and 225th Air Defense Group spent 10 days fighting fires in Eastern Washington. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Tim Chacon)
 An Airman with the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Wing chainsaws through a log to help clear a road in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, following Hurricane Zeta, Oct. 31. By early November, the Louisiana National Guard activated more than 1,200 Soldiers and Airmen, responding to Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Phuong Au)201031-Z-SD579-0007
                            An Airman with the Louisiana Air National Guard’s 159th Fighter Wing chainsaws through a log to help clear a road in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, following Hurricane Zeta, Oct. 31. By early November, the Louisiana National Guard activated more than 1,200 Soldiers and Airmen, responding to Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Phuong Au)
 Sometimes, serving the community as a National Guard member means manning the phones. Here, Soldiers with the Arizona Army National Guard assist state health officials with COVID-19 mapping from a call center at the Arizona Department of Health Services in Phoenix, June 30. This kind of mission helped state and local health agencies conduct mapping activities with the aim of tracking and reducing the spread of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin)200630-Z-CC902-0034
                            Sometimes, serving the community as a National Guard member means manning the phones. Here, Soldiers with the Arizona Army National Guard assist state health officials with COVID-19 mapping from a call center at the Arizona Department of Health Services in Phoenix, June 30. This kind of mission helped state and local health agencies conduct mapping activities with the aim of tracking and reducing the spread of the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin)
 A Soldier with the Texas Army National Guard's 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade stands guard during a protest in Austin, Texas, May 31. The Texas National Guard augmented law enforcement agencies throughout the state to protect critical infrastructure while safeguarding Texans’ First Amendment right to peacefully protest. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Charles E. Spirtos)200531-Z-QX658-1378
                            A Soldier with the Texas Army National Guard's 136th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade stands guard during a protest in Austin, Texas, May 31. The Texas National Guard augmented law enforcement agencies throughout the state to protect critical infrastructure while safeguarding Texans’ First Amendment right to peacefully protest. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Charles E. Spirtos)
 Air Force Capt. Elise Patrick, a pilot with the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 187th Airlift Wing, co-pilots a C-130 Hercules while looking down on a massive wildfire in Colorado, Oct. 16. As wildfires raged throughout the West — especially in California — National Guard members were called in to augment firefighters, protect property, provide real-time aerial images to incident command centers, drop water from helicopters and spray retardant on fires via the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, or MAFFS, from C-130 aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jon Alderman)201016-Z-QG327-0990
                            Air Force Capt. Elise Patrick, a pilot with the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 187th Airlift Wing, co-pilots a C-130 Hercules while looking down on a massive wildfire in Colorado, Oct. 16. As wildfires raged throughout the West — especially in California — National Guard members were called in to augment firefighters, protect property, provide real-time aerial images to incident command centers, drop water from helicopters and spray retardant on fires via the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, or MAFFS, from C-130 aircraft. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jon Alderman)
 A Florida Army National Guard high water response vehicle makes its way through the flooded roads of Escambia County, Florida, as part of Hurricane Sally recovery efforts Sept. 16. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Milbrodt)200916-Z-LQ174-003
                            A Florida Army National Guard high water response vehicle makes its way through the flooded roads of Escambia County, Florida, as part of Hurricane Sally recovery efforts Sept. 16. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Christopher Milbrodt)
 Crammed in tight, but alive, dozens of people inside a California Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook are flown to safety after a wildfire left them stranded inside the Sierra National Forest, California, Sept. 6. In early September, pilots and crew members with the California Army Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade braved treacherous conditions to rescue nearly 400 people in central California. (Courtesy of the California National Guard)200907-A-AA000-100
                            Crammed in tight, but alive, dozens of people inside a California Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook are flown to safety after a wildfire left them stranded inside the Sierra National Forest, California, Sept. 6. In early September, pilots and crew members with the California Army Guard’s 40th Combat Aviation Brigade braved treacherous conditions to rescue nearly 400 people in central California. (Courtesy of the California National Guard)
 Army Capt. Macharia Davis, an intelligence officer with the District of Columbia Army National Guard’s, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 74th Troop Command, talks with individuals taking part in one of many demonstrations and protests in Washington, D.C., Saturday, June 6, 2020, in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. Guard members were on hand throughout the District manning traffic control points, aid stations and providing security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)Army Capt. Macharia Davis
                            Army Capt. Macharia Davis, an intelligence officer with the District of Columbia Army National Guard’s, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 74th Troop Command, talks with individuals taking part in one of many demonstrations and protests in Washington, D.C., Saturday, June 6, 2020, in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. Guard members were on hand throughout the District manning traffic control points, aid stations and providing security. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)
 Spc. Hunter Whittaker, infantryman with the Oregon Army National Guard 162nd Infantry Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, braces Polish soldiers on external-load hook-up operations at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassigny, Kosovo, July 14. Soldiers with the Oregon and Colorado Army National Guard hosted several training exercises with other multinational partners to increase the readiness of various Kosovo Force missions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Marc Belo)200715-Z-LZ801-101
                            Spc. Hunter Whittaker, infantryman with the Oregon Army National Guard 162nd Infantry Company, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, braces Polish soldiers on external-load hook-up operations at Camp Marechal De Lattre De Tassigny, Kosovo, July 14. Soldiers with the Oregon and Colorado Army National Guard hosted several training exercises with other multinational partners to increase the readiness of various Kosovo Force missions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Marc Belo)
 Work all day until the work is done. California National Guard members clear brush near Santa Cruz, California, Sept. 3. These California Guard members receive training year-round with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which instructs Soldiers and Airmen on wildland firefighting subjects — such as team organization, safety skills, driver’s training, using fire shelters, chopping logs and digging trenches. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Peter Morrison)200903-Z-FH778-1004
                            Work all day until the work is done. California National Guard members clear brush near Santa Cruz, California, Sept. 3. These California Guard members receive training year-round with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which instructs Soldiers and Airmen on wildland firefighting subjects — such as team organization, safety skills, driver’s training, using fire shelters, chopping logs and digging trenches. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Peter Morrison)
 Oklahoma National Guard Cpl. Danielle O'Connor and Spc. Ryan Tate, right, carry an ultra-cold box containing COVID-19 vaccinations to vehicles to transport the vaccines to sites across the state, Dec. 15, 2020. These are the first vaccines to be distributed in Oklahoma from one of five centralized hubs supporting 11 satellite locations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Anthony Jones)201215-A-RH707-735
                            Oklahoma National Guard Cpl. Danielle O'Connor and Spc. Ryan Tate, right, carry an ultra-cold box containing COVID-19 vaccinations to vehicles to transport the vaccines to sites across the state, Dec. 15, 2020. These are the first vaccines to be distributed in Oklahoma from one of five centralized hubs supporting 11 satellite locations. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Anthony Jones)
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