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In the Trenches: Chaplain Edward Lartey’s Life of Service Earns Distinguished Honor
U.S. Army Chaplain Edward Lartey with the District of Columbia National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force- District of Columbia, receives the Military Chaplains Association USA Distinguished Service Award at the DC Armory on August 7, 2026. About 4,600 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the District.
Aug. 28, 2026 - For more than two decades, Chaplain (Maj.) Edward Lartey has built his ministry around one principle: being present when Soldiers and families face their most difficult moments. From combat in Iraq and civil unrest in...
The Capital’s Defenders: 212 Years After Bladensburg, Honoring the Citizen-Soldiers Who Answered the Call
Mark Hudson, Executive Director of Historic Congressional Cemetery, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, lay a wreath at the grave of U.S. Army Pvt. Andrew Coyle during a Battle of Bladensburg commemoration at Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 2026. The Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard then rendered a ceremonial volley honoring the Citizen-Soldiers who answered the call to defend the nation’s capital in 1814. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Arthur M. Wright)
Aug. 24, 2026 - As America celebrates 250 years of independence, the District of Columbia National Guard and Historic Congressional Cemetery gathered Aug. 23 to look back 212 years—to a moment when ordinary citizens answered an extraordinary...
National Guardsmen Assist in Locating Missing Child
U.S. National Guardsmen assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia (JTF-DC) in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, patrol nearLeDroit Park in Washington, Aug 15, 2026. About 4,500 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters, and visitors throughout the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jaccob Hearn)
Aug. 16, 2026 - National Guardsmen patrolling near LeDroit Park were approached by a concerned citizen reporting that their 14-year-old daughter was missing...
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National Guard News
Puerto Rico Guard Distributes One Million Gallons of Water in Drought Response
Spc. Jose Marfisi and Spc. Esteven Llopiz, assigned to the 714th Quartermaster Water Purification Company, secure a raw water intake pump during a Water Purification Rodeo at Lago Cerrillos, Ponce, Puerto Rico, July 24, 2026. The Soldiers positioned and secured the intake pump to ensure a continuous flow of raw water from the reservoir into the water purification system. The task is a critical step in establishing expeditionary water purification operations that provide safe, potable water in support of military operations and domestic emergency response missions. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Eric Maldonado.
Aug. 28, 2026 - CANOVANAS, Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico National Guard has distributed more than 1 million gallons of water and purified more than 298,000 gallons of water through its Water Sentinels mission drought response, which focuses...
Guardsmen Boost Domestic Response Capabilities in Patriot 26
Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, Wisconsin Army National Guard, conduct medical evacuation hoist training with role players portraying simulated casualties at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 24, 2026. Patriot 26, an Air National Guard-hosted exercise taking place at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, brings together about 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states, along with federal, state and local agencies, to enhance domestic response readiness and interagency coordination during large-scale emergencies. The scenario allows aircrews to practice locating, hoisting and evacuating simulated patients from areas where terrain or other conditions may prevent an aircraft from landing. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brittany Conley.
Aug. 28, 2026 - FORT McCOY, Wis. – About 1,000 Airmen and Soldiers from National Guard units across 35 states are participating in Patriot 26 alongside federal, state and local agencies, strengthening their domestic response...
Washington Guard Strengthens Fiscal Readiness
The Washington Army National Guard hosted the Construction Facilities Management Office 201 Resource Management Course, a three-day course in the Army National Guard G9’s national training program. Instruction focused on military construction appropriations, cooperative agreements and budget execution strategies, providing financial specialists, facility managers and senior leaders from across the country with tools to effectively manage funding while remaining compliant with fiscal law. Photo by Peter Chang.
Aug. 27, 2026 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Financial specialists, facility managers and senior leaders from across the country gathered at the Aviation Readiness Center for the Construction Facilities Management Office 201 Resource...
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Ready on land. Ready on water. From the streets of the nation’s capital to its waterways, #readiness requires more than showing up—it requires training for every environment. #DCSafe @GeorgiaGuard https://t.co/FCFw35hFDj
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U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Murry Holt, Assistant Adjutant General of the @guard_west visited soldiers assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia. This gave them the chance to hear directly from their senior leader, talk about the mission & share what they’re seeing on the ground https://t.co/16Aoeb0ysR
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Vigilance matters. Results matter. Readiness never stops. 250 years after America declared its independence, the National Guard remains ready to serve—protecting the capital and defending the nation. @nationalguardMS https://t.co/eUR9Idofye
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Leadership changes hands, but the mission continues. CSM Thomas Delano assumed responsibility as JTF-DC’s senior enlisted leader, taking over from CSM Scott McKennon. The ceremony marked the transition in leadership & recognized McKennon’s commitment and service to the task force https://t.co/tquzY7utpD
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Security. Partnership. Purpose. From responding to incidents to protecting people and resources, JTF-DC duties demand focus and the ability to adapt. Different uniforms. Different specialties. One team. @GeorgiaGuard @USNationalGuard https://t.co/T5fGnopCeq
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With thousands of National Guard members supporting operations across Washington, D.C., these teams are working alongside local and federal partners to help keep everyone safe. #AlwaysReady #AlwaysThere https://t.co/gyqQAbP6Tx
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Over the weekend, as thousands of racing fans converged on Washington for the #Freedom250 Grand Prix, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force-DC were on the ground supporting the partners who helped make the event safe and successful. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/8fBSIigQQm
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RT @ArlingtonNatl: Tour the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...Virtually! A new interactive, 360-degree virtual visitation experience invites y…
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An added layer of support! Partnership adds another layer to public safety. By supporting DEA personnel during patrols, @USNationalGuard members contribute additional presence and capacity while allowing law enforcement partners to focus on their authorities and mission. https://t.co/sYL8UU2Q88
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From the D.C. Militia of 1814 to the Soldiers and Airmen of today, partnership remains our strength, readiness remains our responsibility, and service remains the bond connecting generations: https://t.co/ZS1iR66REi @USNationalGuard https://t.co/w0Wt0DydA5
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WHAT A WEEKEND! Nothing Is routine—it takes training!🇺🇸 Behind every safe intersection, entry/traffic control point and helping hand was a Guardsman who trained to be ready when it matters. #Freedom250 #GrandPrix @USNationalGuard https://t.co/yvTmIorJyW
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🏁Mission Complete The engines have gone quiet, the crowds are home, and an unforgettable weekend in the nation’s capital has come to a close. But behind the speed, excitement and celebration of the #Freedom250 Grand Prix was a mission built on preparation. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/Ky90b8VcgF
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RT @SecretService: Thank you to all the federal, state and local partners who helped secure the Freedom 250 Grand Prix and bring it safely…
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Before the engines started, the @USNationalGuard was already here. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere https://t.co/zyDYSgdR0J
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🏁 SERVICE AT FULL SPEED 🇺🇸 For U.S. Army Spc. Davian Thomas, service and speed share the same track. Thomas, a @SCNationalGuard member assigned to JTF-DC, talks about his passion for racing while supporting the #Freedom250 Grand Prix. 🏎️🇺🇸 @USNationalGuard https://t.co/mn4zV9nkYt
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🏁For 250 years, America has moved forward. This weekend, we celebrate just how fast.🇺🇸 Guardsmen assigned to JTF-DC are providing security assistance as thousands of racing fans converge on the District amid the #Freedom250 Grand Prix! @USNationalGuard https://t.co/haSJ83wa5A
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RT @FBIWFO: This morning, @FBIDirectorKash visited #FBIWFO's command post for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. 🏎️Our National Capital Response S…
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18.6 Miles. 24 Pounds. One Standard: Finish. Resilience isn’t built when the road is easy—it’s forged when your body tells you to stop and your mind decides to keep moving. @USNationalGuard https://t.co/NNRzfgKGo2
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Train. Prepare. Stay ready. Readiness is built before the mission begins. Every repetition, every movement and every skill refined strengthens the ability to respond when it matters most. #DCSafe #Freedom250 @AKNationalGuard @USNationalGuard https://t.co/d6fuhsTQSc
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RT @FBIWFO: Washington, D.C., is a #NoDroneZone, so unauthorized drone activity is a red flag — even during special events like the Freedom…
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Commanding General
                                        
Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II
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