News

Nevada Guard Strengthens Republic of Korea, US Alliance During Freedom Shield 2026
March 31, 2026 — YONGIN, South Korea – Soldiers from the Nevada Army National Guard’s 17th Sustainment Brigade participated in Exercise Freedom Shield 2026, a multinational command post exercise held March 9–19 that marked the unit’s first involvement alongside the Republic of Korea Army, U.S. Forces Korea and United Nations Command.Freedom Shield is a multidomain... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Ahylin Arroyo (first row, sixth from left), public affairs specialist, 106th Public Affairs Detachment, poses for a photo with the Republic of Korea Army, at the Republic of Korea Army Ground Operations Command, South Korea, March 16, 2026.

Nevada Cavalry squadron sweeps 2026 Best Warrior Competition
March 16, 2026 — After three days of grueling physical challenges, marksmanship events and endurance tests, two Soldiers from the Nevada Army National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Regiment emerged victorious during this year’s Nevada National Guard Best Warrior Competition held last weekend at Washoe County Training Center in Reno and at the Freedom Ranges in Hawthorne... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Powell, 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry Regiment, performs the plank portion of the Army Fitness Test during the Best Warrior Competition at the Harry Reid Readiness Center in Reno-Stead, Mar. 13, 2026. After earning the title of Nevada’s Best Warrior in the Soldier category, Powell will represent the Nevada National Guard this April in New Mexico at the regional Best Warrior Competition against top competitors from several other states. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Blanca Sosa)

Nevada, Samoa officials hold SPP exchange, witness fellow Samoan win NRL thriller
March 4, 2026 — Members of Samoa’s disaster response, corrections and fire services visited the Nevada National Guard last week, meeting with the Nevada Office of Emergency Management, county emergency managers from around the state, along with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and security officials at Allegiant Stadium. They also attended the three-game Australian National Rugby League Premiership season opener at Allegiant Stadium. Samoa, a Nevada partner nation in the National Guard State Partnership Program since 2023, is also a rugby-crazed nation... MORE

Stephon Critchton, who scored the winning field goal in front of 45,719 people at Allegiant Stadium during a National Rugby League Premiere game, poses for a photo with Apelu Sauoaiga, Samoa assistant commissioner of emergency medical response, Josephina Chan Ting, principal disaster risk, reduction officer and Bella Simeti, senior disaster management officer last Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Samoan officials were in Nevada last week for a State Partnership Program subject matter exchange to prepare for their mass casualty exercise set for 2027 in Apia, Samoa.

‘Last we saw him’: Nevada Air Guardsman’s lifesaving effort includes curious cliffhanger
March 1, 2026 — Kimball and Dall attended the annual Recruiting and Retention Leadership Symposium held at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., last September. After lunch, Dall and Kimball were driving eastbound on Rippy Road in southern Mississippi when they noticed a multiple-vehicle accident blocking traffic, including a Subaru Outback careened in a nearby ditch surrounded by forest and underneath electrical line, according to a Gulfport Police Department report... MORE

Montana Air Guard Capt. Caitlyn Cayer, who is also a nurse practitioner, administers aid to a man involved in a traffic wreck in Gulfport, Miss., Sept. 22, 2025. Master Sgt. Kraig Kimball, top right, helped pull the driver from a car fire and escorted him to safety seconds before the car engulfed in flames.

Nevada Air Guard continues colonel’s last act — helping children diagnosed with cancer
February 26, 2026 — The 152nd Airlift Wing, Nevada Air National Guard, will hold the third annual Col. Mike Fugett Memorial Golf Tournament on May 4 at Toiyabe Golf Club in Washoe Valley. Community members and service members are welcome to participate, honor Fugett’s legacy and help the Northern Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation. Registration is open until April 24; $175 per person, $600 for foursome. Proceeds from the event have raised more than $14,000 for NNCCF since 2023... MORE

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Plunket tees off during the inaugural Col. Mike Fugett Memorial Golf Tournament held at the LakeRidge Golf Course in Reno, Aug. 5, 2024. The tournament helped raise more than $3,000 for the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation.

Nevada National Guard trains for updated federal National Guard Response Force standards
February 25, 2026 — For more than 20 years, NGRFs have been readily available to governors, Congress and the president to assist during emergencies but have varied in composition, training and equipment readiness across the states. Ongoing training this month will seek standardized training across all 53 states and territories with National Guard personnel... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Adams, 152nd Medical Group, practices defending himself using his baton during a National Guard Response Force training at the Office of the Adjutant General in Carson City, Nevada, Feb. 20, 2026. NGRF personnel will be prepared to respond to Nevada's needs, ready within 24 hours activation, like the activation during the Davis Creek fire in 2024 to safeguard evacuated neighborhoods. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Adrianne Lopez)

Through fire and ice, Nevada Air Guard footprint touches all seven continents
January 29, 2026 — The Nevada Air National Guard began operating at the southernmost portion of the planet last year and continued its high-paced operations tempo flying C-130 Hercules over fires in North America. Over the past two years, at least one member of the Nevada Air National Guard has set foot on all seven continents — an uncommon distinction that underscores the organization’s worldwide operational footprint... MORE

The Nevada Air National Guard's High Rollers arrive in Antarctica Dec. 18, 2024, to support the annual U.S. military mission in Antarctica. They flew augmented max duty day missions, logging over 30 hours in three days.

Nevada Guard says goodbye to beloved retired Army dentist
January 20, 2026 — After assisting in the oversight of the Nevada Army Guard’s medical readiness for decades, serving the state on the front line during its battle against coronavirus and reaching the podium in military sports competitions, retired Col. Joyce Anacker – who died following a valiant battle with cancer on Oct. 29, 2025 at age 64 – could easily have been remembered as one of the top officers in Nevada Army Guard history... MORE

Col. Joyce Anacker, seen here in civilian garb, was in the Nevada Army Guard for more than 21 years before retiring in March 2025.

Nevada National Guard supports Las Vegas law enforcement during annual NYE celebration
January 6, 2026 — Hours before revelers descend upon the famed Las Vegas Strip, a multi-agency effort formed at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department headquarters. Members of the LVMPD, North Las Vegas and Henderson police departments, Clark County Fire Department, FBI, Nevada Highway Patrol, and other intelligence agencies, along with the Nevada National Guard, briefed on the upcoming event before heading out to the throngs of partygoers on the famed Las Vegas Strip. ... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Ulises Enriquez (left), Sgt. Andrea Flenner (center), Spc. Xarn Manzon (right) conducts security operations on the Las Vegas 'Strip' in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 1, 2026. For more than 25 years, the Nevada National Guard has supported New Year's Eve public safety operations, with roughly 190 Soldiers activated for this year's event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Byronjames Crisostomo)

Nevada Guard set to mark start of construction on U.S. Army firing range in Hawthorne
December 9, 2025 — The Nevada National Guard held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday to start construction on the Nevada Army National Guard Qualification Training Range. U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen and Congressman Mark Amodei and Brig. Gen. Randy Lau, Nevada Army Guard commander, attended the event. When completed, set for 2027, the range will become the only Department of the Army approved qualification range in the state of Nevada... MORE

U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen and Rep. Mark Amodei and Nevada Land Component Commander, Brig. Gen. Randy Lau breaks ground for the new Nevada Army National Guard Qualification Training Range during a ceremony held in Hawthorne, Nev., Dec. 5, 2025. The new range will allow Nevada Soldiers to meet military marksmanship standards without having to leave the state — finally giving Nevada Soldiers access to an in-state Army weapon qualification range that meets Army requisites.