Free Republic

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2009 – The members of agricultural development teams in Afghanistan are living examples of the symbol of the National Guard: a Minuteman with a musket in one hand and the other hand resting on a plow. As Army Secretary Pete Geren, right, looks on, Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, director of the Army National Guard, speaks at a Pentagon news conference on the mission of the Guard's agricultural development teams, Jan. 22, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Soucy  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Army Secretary Pete Geren and Army National Guard Chief Lt....

This week the Coast Guard and the Air Force announced an increase, while the Army, Navy and Marine Corps announced a decrease.  The net collective result is 1,551 more reservists activated since last week.               At any given time, services may activate some units and individuals while deactivating others, making it possible for these figures to either increase or decrease.  The total number currently on active duty from the Army National Guard and Army Reserve is 96,803; Navy Reserve, 5,910; Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 12,420; Marine Corps Reserve, 8,253; and the Coast Guard Reserve, 906. This brings...

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa., July 18, 2008 – Officials at the National Guard’s Eastern Aviation Training Site here yesterday unveiled the new UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter, for which they will become the military’s sole trainers. The new UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter sits on the tarmac at the National Guard’s Eastern Aviation Training Site at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. The facility will provide all aviator and aircrew training on the new aircraft. Photo by Army Pfc. Coltin Heller  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. This central Pennsylvania post will be the only Army training site for the military’s...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2007 – The Defense Department is committed to implementing changes in policy that will mean fewer, shorter and more predictable deployments for reserve-component troops, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the National Guard’s 54 adjutants general today. Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, left, chief of the National Guard Bureau, speaks with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during the National Guard Bureau's Senior Leadership Meeting in Washington, D.C., Feb. 27. Photo by Cherie A. Thurlby  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Speaking to the Adjutants General Association of the United States mid-winter conference, Gates said his...

Company is 2nd in Guard to be cited this war Under a slightly scorching Friday morning sun, with a few family members and about 20 fuel trucks as witnesses, 133 men and women in the 2222nd Transportation Company of the Arizona Army National Guard received the Meritorious Unit Citation from the Department of the Army. These soldiers weren't charged with fighting the war from camouflaged Hummers or flying missions in the prestigious Blackhawk helicopters, though they were responsible for making sure those vehicles got around safely. The work of the 2222nd involved delivering fuel and water to the vehicles in...