Forever Wars: U.S. National Guard preps for Global War!

Incomplete (tip of the iceberg) list of U.S. state National Guard developments (which should prove that the National Guard has become the ‘crutch’ for the Regular/active duty Army and Air Force), for the month of June 2023:

NATO-Europe is conducting the largest airpower wargame, ever, and multiple U.S. states have deployed their National Guard units to take part in Air Defender 2023.

On the African Continent, the largest wargame there was concluded in mid-June, several U.S. states deployed their Guard units to take part in African Lion 2023.

There was also the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NorAD) wargame called Noble Defender, as well as a cyber security wargame called Cyber Shield 2023.

CALIFORNIA: The Air National Guard’s 146th AW/146th Contingency Response Flight helped with loading of cargo planes, and air traffic control, for Air Defender 2023.

For the first time since the United Nations ordered the Korean Police Action (as requested by the United States in 1950), California has deployed an entire division! On 11JUN2023, a deployment ceremony was held for the 40th Infantry Division, which is being sent to the Middle East for the ongoing operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. Video by Sergeant Marla Ogden:

COLORADO:

Colorado Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Amanda Geiger, 11JUN2023.

The Air Guard’s 140th Wing deployed F-16 Falcons to Schleswig-Jagel Air Base, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender 2023.

GEORGIA:

Georgia Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Caila Arahood, 12JUN2023.

The 165th Airlift Wing deployed a C-130 Hercules to the Siauliai International Airport, NATO-Lithuania, during Air Defender 2023 (AD23).

IDAHO: Deploying to the continents of Africa and Europe:

Idaho Air National Guard photo by Master Sergeant Becky Vanshur, 13JUN2023.

A ‘Gem State’ 124th Fighter Wing A-10C arrives on Lechfeld Air Base, NATO-Germany, for wargame Air Defender, 13JUN2023.

ILLINOIS:

Illinois Air National Guard photo by Staff Sergeant Paul Helmig, 19JUN2023.

The 182nd Airlift Wing (AW) deployed their C-130 Hercules cargo plane to Wunstorf Air Base, NATO-Germany.

KENTUCKY: More than 130 Air-milita personnel deployed to NATO-Germany for Air Defender.

LOUISIANA:

Louisiana Air National Guard photo by Major Larissa Lambert, 12JUN2023.

159th Fighter Wing (FW) F-15C Eagles on Hohn, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender, 12JUN2023.

MARYLAND:

Maryland A-10Cs equipped with long range external fuel tanks, about to take-off for NATO-Europe, 04JUN2023. Photo by Senior Airman Rachel Underwood.

The 175th Wing/104th Fighter Squadron deployed A-10C Thunderbolt-2s to Air Defender 2023.

MASSACHUSETTS:

Photo by Staff Sergeant Hanna Smith, 23JUN2023.

104th FW on Hohn Air Base, NATO-Germany, 23JUN2023.

Photo by Master Sergeant Bryan Hoover, 26JUN2023.

The 104th FW also took part in NorAD’s Noble Defender, over the Canadian-U.S. region.

MICHIGAN: Air National Guard’s 127th Wing A-10C Thunderbolt-2s get bombed-up & fueled-up (aka Integrated Combat Turn) on Lielvārdi Air Base, Latvia, 13JUN2023 (the video was not released until 16JUN2023). The militaries of Michigan and Latvia have been working together for more than 30 years. Video by Technical Sergeant Andrew Schumann:

MINNESOTA:

Photo by Staff Sergeant Jared Bounds, 05JUN2023.

133rd AW deployed a C-130 to Wunstorf Air Base, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender.

MISSISSIPPI: The 172nd AW/172nd Contingency Response Flight helped with loading of cargo planes, and air traffic control, for Air Defender 2023.

MISSOURI:

Photo by Master Sergeant Caila Arahood, 05JUN2023.

139th AW on Wunstorf Air Base, NATO-Germany, for Air Defender.

MONTANA:

Photo by First Lieutenant Jaycee Baker, 07JUN2023.

The Air Guard’s 120th Medical Group, out of Great Falls, provided dental care to Moroccans during African Lion 2023.

NEVADA: Nevada Air National Guard’s 152 Wing ‘High Rollers’/152nd Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to NATO-Spain. Video interview, recorded on 21JUN2023 by Staff Sergeant Michelle Brooks, explains why:

NEW YORK: Titan search;

OKLAHOMA: More than 25 U.S. states, territories, and five countries with the State Partnership Program, took part in Cyber Shield 2023. Video (by Mireille Merilice-Roberts) explaining how Oklahoma helped grade this year’s Cyber Shield:

PUERTO RICO: The 156th Wing/156th Contingency Response Group helped with loading of cargo planes, and air traffic control, for Air Defender 2023.

SOUTH DAKOTA:

Photo by Technical Sergeant Sarah M. McClanahan, 15JUN2023.

114th Fighter Wing on Jagel Airfield, NATO-Germany, during exercise Air Defender 2023 (AD23).

TENNESSEE:

Photo by Staff Sergeant Laura Weaver, 08JUN2023.

164th AW used their C-17 Globemaster-3 cargo planes to delivery Air Guard personnel to NATO-Estonia, for Air Defender 2023.

The Tennessee National Guard also took part in a cyber security wargame called Cyber Shield 2023. It was run from the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, from 11 to 15JUN2023.

UTAH:

Photo by Sergeant James J. Bunn, 08JUN2023.

Army National Guard CBRN (Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear) personnel train the Ghana Armed Forces during African Lion 2023.

Photo by Technical Sergeant Nicholas Perez, 05JUN2023.

The Air Guard’s 151st Medical Group helped operate a field hospital for sily-vilians, in Morocco.

Video by Specialist Shae Cox, Utah Air National Guard band playing in Morocco during this year’s African Lion wargames. It might be the last time as the U.S. Air Force is shutting down Air National Guard bands;