News Release

TF Beautification teams with Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) in the District’s Ward 8
September 16, 2025 — Soldiers and Airmen from the D.C. National Guard worked shoulder to shoulder with Ward 8 residents, volunteers and local leaders on Sept. 13 , marking Task Force Beautification’s first-ever participation in a neighborhood cleanup effort in the District... MORE

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, and members of Task Force Beautification join Ward 8 residents, volunteers, and 8B06 Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) members for a pop-up community clean-up in Washington, D.C., Sept. 13, 2025. The effort, led by ANC Commissioner Marcus “Mick” Hickman, marked the first time D.C. National Guard members worked alongside residents and elected officials in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission in providing critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit the District. Many of the participating Guard members live and work in the District, strengthening their shared commitment to keeping local neighborhoods safe and clean.

Tennessee, D.C. National Guard mechanics partner for D.C. Safe and Beautiful
September 9, 2025 — D.C. National Guard mechanics have teamed with their Tennessee counterparts to ensuring vehicles remain at peak performance for any upcoming missions in the nation’s capital. The joint effort began when Tennessee’s mechanics answered D.C. National Guard’s request for support to repair a backlog of vehicles out of service. They divided their teams to maintain their own fleet and simultaneously completed work orders for D.C. vehicles. Combined, the two teams expect to bring more than 50 vehicles back into service... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Josiah Davenport, assigned to the 269th Military Police Company, Tennessee National Guard conducts maintenance on a vehicle at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., Aug. 30, 2025. About 2,300 National Guard members are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission providing critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit the District.

Suicide Prevention Month: Message from the Commanding General
September 7, 2025 — September is Suicide Prevention Month, and the Department of War is committed to decisive and innovative actions and the theme "Joining Your Fight: Connect to Protect." Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, Commanding General (Interim) for the D.C. National Guard, discusses the significance of knowing at-risk behaviors, stress reduction measures and available resources to help... MORE

State CCWO Aguon selected as the Army Guard’s Ninth Command Chief Warrant Officer
August 31, 2025 — Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bernard Aguon, who has served as the State Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) for the District of Columbia National Guard since 2024, has been selected as the next Army National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer at the National Guard Bureau. He will succeed Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Searcy... MORE

CW5 Bernard L. Aguon, State Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) for the District of Columbia National Guard has been selected as the ninth Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard and will serve as the principal military advisor to the Director of the Army National Guard on all matters affecting warrant officer training, utilization, health of the force, and professional development. Currently, CW5 Aguon is the D.C. National Guard's sixth State CCWO and advisor to the D.C. National Guard’s Commanding General, the Adjutant General, and Land Component Commander. He will succeed Chief Warrant Officer 5 Brian Searcy.

Guard members from six states, D.C. on duty in Washington in support of local, fed authorities
August 29, 2025 — Since Aug. 12, more than 75,000 meals, which all meet the Army food program’s calorie count and dietary requirements and restrictions have been distributed to Soldiers and Airmen at duty locations throughout Washington. Providing hot meals and ensuring Guard members are billeted in safe hotels are task force priorities. ... MORE

U.S. Soldiers of the Army National Guard serve meals at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Aug. 29, 2025. Meals are served to about 2,300 National Guard members that are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission providing critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in ensuring the safety of all who live, work, and visit the District.

D.C. National Guard Commanding General Retires
August 10, 2025 — After more than 35 years of service, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, retired during a combined Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on August 9, 2025, at DAR Constitution Hall. Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the Adjutant General (TAG) of the D.C. National Guard, will serve as interim Commanding General until a permanent successor is announced... MORE

Kathleen Andonie accepts flowers during a combined change of command and retirement ceremony Aug. 9, 2025, at DAR Constitution Hall. Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, outgoing Commanding General (Interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard, gifted his wife flowers in honor of the support she has provided during his time in service.

Change of Command Ceremony for D.C. National Guard Commanding General
August 9, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard will hold a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony on Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006 in honor of Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) of the D.C. National Guard, who is retiring. Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II will serve as the Interim... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie Tribute Video
August 9, 2025 — The D.C. National Guard honors U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, the Commanding General (Interim), for 35+ years of military service. We also recognize August 9, 2025, as Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie Day in the District of Columbia. Mayor Muriel Bowser honored Maj. Gen. Andonie with a proclamation recognizing his decades of distinguished service to the U.S. Army. His leadership strengthened the bond between the DC National Guard and the District, enhancing public safety, community partnerships, and emergency response. Please watch this tribute video as service members and partners discuss Maj. Gen. Andonie's commitment to build, maintain, and balance readiness objectives over the last two years... MORE

Air Force Cyber Security Officer Sworn-in as Inspector General of D.C. National Guard
August 5, 2025 — The District of Columbia National Guard welcomed U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Jennifer Sayers, an active-duty cyberspace operations officer, as its new State Inspector General following her recent graduation from The Inspector General School... MORE

The District of Columbia National Guard’s Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim), swore in U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Jennifer Sayers as Inspector General during a ceremony on July 28, 2025, following her completion of the U.S. Army Inspector General School. The relationship between an Inspector General and their commander is rooted in integrity, trust, and confidence. Lt. Col Sayers now fills one of just nine Air Force-designated State/Territory/District Inspector General (IG) positions across the nation.

D.C. National Guard, Jamaican, Barbadian Forces Test Skills in Joint Caribbean Exercise
July 29, 2025 — Soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica National Reserve (JNR), and Barbados Defence Force Reserves recently participated in the Caribbean Regional Training Camp (CRTC) 2025, a joint exercise aimed at bolstering regional security, enhancing disaster response capabilities, and strengthening interoperability among the participating nations. The training, which ran from July 12 to July 27, took place at various sites across Jamaica, providing a realistic and challenging environment for the troops... MORE

Soldiers from the D.C. National Guard, Barbados Defence Force Reserves, Jamaica Defence Force, and Jamaica National Reserve hone marksmanship skills at Twickenham Park Range in St. Catherine, Jamaica on July 17, 2025. As part of the Caribbean Regional Training Camp, activities included zeroing, firing from different positions, march-and-shoot practice, and a march-and-shoot competition. The District of Columbia National Guard's (DCNG) partnership with Jamaica, facilitated by the U.S. National Guard Bureau's State Partnership Program (SPP), promotes security cooperation through military engagements and interagency collaboration.