News Release

'Awarenessgram': Suicide Prevention and Resource Awareness Selfies
June 27, 2025 — The D.C. National Guard Risk Reduction program has introduced the ‘Awarenessgram’, a visual invitation that allows service members to seek support. The selfies are to encourage those who may be unknowingly or knowingly facing mental health challenges to utilize the appropriate resources... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard take an Awarenessgram at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on June 5, 2025. The District of Columbia National Guard’s Risk Reduction program has introduced suicide prevention selfies (Awarenessgram) as a tool to encourage those who may be unknowingly or knowingly facing mental health challenges to utilize the appropriate resources.

Behind the Scenes: National Guard Support to the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday Celebration
June 15, 2025 — More than 800 National Guard members were activated in support of the 250th Army Birthday Festival and Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. The Guard members, from the District of Columbia, Mississippi, West Virginia and Pennsylvania assisted various agencies with tasks including crowd management and traffic control, and played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of events... MORE

National Guard provides crucial support for Army's 250th birthday celebration
June 14, 2025 — More than 800 National Guard members were activated in support of the 250th Army Birthday Festival and Parade. The Guard members, from the District of Columbia, Mississippi, West Virginia and Pennsylvania assisted various agencies with tasks including crowd management and traffic control, and played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of events... MORE

More than 800 National Guard members were activated in support of the 250th Army Birthday Festival and Parade in Washington, DC, on June 14, 2025. The Guard members, from the District of Columbia, Mississippi, West Virginia and Pennsylvania assisted various agencies with tasks including crowd management and traffic control, and played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of events.

‘The Presidents Civil Support Team’ conducts exercise at America’s Airfield
June 9, 2025 — The 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) conducted a full-scale chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive exercise at Joint Base Andrews reinforcing the unit’s mission readiness and tactical proficiency ahead of its upcoming training proficiency evaluation... MORE

The 33rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team Survey Section simulate a man-down during a full-scale chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive exercise at Joint Base Andrews, Md., May 21, 2025. The exercise tested the unit’s on-site assessment, hazard mitigation, communication setup, decontamination operations, safety measures, medical monitoring and coordination with local civilian agencies under the Incident Command System.

D.C. National Guard’s O’Neill Competition Highlights
June 7, 2025 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed participants through a multi-level series of challenging military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944. It's part of Annual Training, ensuring all Soldiers are prepared for challenging, relevant, and realistic missions to fight and win... MORE

D.C. National Guard’s O’Neill Competition Commemorates D-Day Heroism and Warrior Ethos
June 6, 2025 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed more participants through a multi-level series of challenging military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed more than 250 participants through a grueling day of military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944.

DCNG Tuition Assistance (TA) and Mission Success
June 3, 2025 — Military leaders at every level must be multifaceted to complete the mission. Education is a paramount aspect of leader development. The DC Tuition Assistance program provides Soldiers and Airmen the opportunity to better themselves through formal education and certification programs. In celebration of graduation season, we spoke with recent graduates who made the most out of the benefit... MORE

Maj. Gen. John C. Andonie, Commanding General (Interim) for the D.C. National Guard; Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, the Adjutant General for the D.C. National Guard, and Master Sgt. Arthur Mondale Wright, State Public Affairs Officer, stand for a photograph at the D.C. Armory, in Washington D.C., on May 21, 2025. Master Sgt. Wright earned his Master of Public Administration with the assistance of the District of Columbia National Guard Tuition Assistance Program.

Choose Wisely, Arrive Safely: Privately Owned Motor Vehicle Safety
May 30, 2025 — The mission of the District of Columbia National Guard’s Safety Office is to enhance workplace and home safety and health to maintain mission effectiveness, optimize readiness, morale, and well-being. To prevent accidents and injuries during the peak travel season, MAJ Omar C. Gobourne, State Safety Manager discusses safety tips for service members when operating their personal cars and/or motorcycles. Privately owned two-wheel and four-wheel mishaps account for the largest loss of life for service members, on and off duty... MORE

DC National Guard Soldiers Lead Military Intelligence Exercises During African Lion
May 28, 2025 — Four soldiers from the District of Columbia National Guard’s 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion returned home after supporting African Lion, the largest annual joint force military exercise held in Africa. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), on behalf of U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise involved more than 50 nations and seven NATO allies... MORE

U.S. Marines and Soldiers from the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces pose for a group photo while F16 fighter jets pass overhead at Cap Draa during African Lion 25 (AL25) in Tan-Tan, Morocco, May 23, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win.

Investing in our community, investing in our people: The DC National Guard-employer partnership
May 27, 2025 — Employers who support National Guard and Reserve members are crucial for maintaining readiness and a deployable military force. That is why Dr. Christine Going, senior advisor for the VA's Food Security Office, was recognized with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for her support to an employee balancing duty as a D.C. Air National Guard member and Veterans Health Administration executive officer... MORE

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jason M. Melton, PA superintendent, Headquarters District of Columbia Air National Guard (HQ/DCANG-PA), and Dr. Christine Going, senior advisor for the VA's Food Security Office, stand for a photograph during a ceremony at the D.C. Armory, on Oct. 20, 2024. Recently, Dr. Going was recognized with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for her support to the organization. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support Citizen Airmen and Soldiers through a wide-range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed.