Latest U.S. National Guard News
Texas' border mission grows, but crossings still high
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Following the horror of a human-smuggling attempt that left 53 people dead, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state troopers to inspect more trucks — again expanding a border security mission that has cost billions, given the National Guard arrest powers and bused...
Guard could lose 600 Minnesotans after vaccine deadline
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota National Guard could lose hundreds of soldiers if they don’t get vaccinated against COVID-19 immediately. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the U.S. Department of Defense’s deadline for getting shots is Thursday. More than 95% of the...
WVa National Guard's full-time pandemic response to end
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia National Guard’s full-time response to the COVID-19 pandemic will end Friday, Gov. Jim Justice said. Justice first activated the National Guard to assist with the state’s pandemic response in March 2020. Among their duties, guard...
Victim of fatal motorcycle crash was Carrington police chief
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The man killed in a motorcycle crash this week on the interstate west of Fargo was the police chief of Carrington, a city in Foster County, according to officials. The North Dakota Highway Patrol says Brandon Sola was also a master sergeant with the North Dakota...
Air Guard troops doing space missions face identity crisis
WASHINGTON (AP) — About 1,000 Air National Guard troops who are assigned to space missions are mired in an identity crisis. Torn between the Air Force, where they have historically been assigned, and the military's shiny new Space Force where they now work, their units have become...
Army Guard troops risk dismissal as vaccine deadline looms
WASHINGTON (AP) — Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers across the country — or about 13% of the force — have not yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine, and as the deadline for shots looms, at least 14,000 of them have flatly refused and could be forced out of the service. ...
Army Guard troops risk dismissal as vaccine deadline looms
WASHINGTON (AP) — Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers across the country — or about 13% of the force — have not yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine, and as the deadline for shots looms, at least 14,000 of them have flatly refused and could be forced out of the service. ...
Panel rejects plan to close Georgia pilot training center
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A congressional subcommittee has rejected the Biden administration’s proposal to close a training center for military pilots in Georgia. U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter said Monday the decision by the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee is a big step toward...
Florida announces director of newly reactivated state guard
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s governor announced the first director of a newly reactivated Florida State Guard on Wednesday to bolster the state’s National Guard with a focus on responding to disasters in the hurricane-prone region. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said the...
House votes to raise minimum gun purchase age to 21
DOVER, Del. (AP) — House lawmakers have approved a bill raising the minimum age for anyone in Delaware to legally possess or purchase any rifle, or firearm ammunition, from 18 to 21, the same age requirement for handguns. The bill cleared the House 27-13 on a mostly party-line vote...
