JULY 31, 2026 — Two Oregon Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopters and two HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters began water bucket operations July 29 in support of wildland firefighting efforts on the Hagen Fire in Umatilla County. The mission is part of the Oregon National Guard’s broader response to the state’s 2026 wildfire season. As of July 29, the Hagen Fire had burned … [Read more...]

JULY 30, 2026 — Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 189th General Support Aviation Battalion, recently completed instructor certification on the VITA Rescue System, a new hoist rescue capability that enhances stability during helicopter rescue operations and improves patient recovery in challenging environments. The two-day training brought together … [Read more...]

JULY 29, 2026 — Alaska Air National Guard rescue personnel assigned to the 176th Wing and Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to the 207th Aviation Troop Command conducted three separate rescue missions across Alaska from July 23-26, resulting in saves for nine individuals. On July 23 the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center opened a mission in response to a request … [Read more...]

JULY 27, 2026 – The Wisconsin National Guard has helped return a recovered section of a P-38 Lightning aircraft more than 80 years after Wisconsin native and World War II fighter ace Maj. Richard I. Bong flew combat missions over Papua New Guinea in the plane. Members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard transported the recovered aircraft section of the plane, which Bong … [Read more...]

JULY 27, 2026 – National Guard units from across the country are supporting wildfire suppression operations in multiple states, providing aerial firefighting aircraft, helicopters and personnel to assist civil authorities as wildfire activity continues across the western United States. More than 160 Soldiers and Airmen from the Wyoming, California, Colorado, Minnesota, … [Read more...]