Threats

NATO Plans Record Air Exercise as Finland Joins Alliance

Air Defender 2023 exercise will include 100 U.S. aircraft, 2,000 troops, in “largest transatlantic movement” the Air National Guard has ever done.

Exclusive Policy

US Troops Are Volunteering to Fly Abortion Seekers Across State Lines

Using personal planes, off duty, and out of uniform, the pilots say it’s their ”patriotic duty” to help Americans.

Threats

US Military: Bad Publicity Is Hurting Recruiting. Lawmakers: Fix Your Problems

As services miss end-strength and accession goals, senators at personnel hearing have some blunt suggestions.

Threats

Vax Refusal Poised to Deepen National Guard’s End-Strength Shortage

The Guard is missing its goals for the first time in several years, and worse is expected to come.

Ideas

Trump Wants Concentration Camps and Presidential Control of Domestic Troops

The disgraced former president said the next chief executive should take control of the National Guard from state governors and deploy troops to quell cities.

Exclusive Threats

National Guard Considering Major Expansion in Indo-Pacific

In an interview, Gen. Dan Hokanson says Guard seeks to amplify its training presence because of China’s increased aggressiveness.

Policy

Lack of Space National Guard Could Hurt Training, Recruiting

Guardsmen in space-related jobs have trouble getting into Space Force schools, leaders say.

Threats

Task Force Gator Back to Training Ukrainians as Battle Rages For the Donbas

A Florida National Guard unit that withdrew just before Moscow invaded is back to teaching as Russia reveals its weak spots.

Threats

700 Guardsmen Set to Help If Truckers Block DC Roads

One convoy organizer said they plan to shut down the Capital Beltway.

Policy

State Guards’ Vaccine Refusal Sets Up Fight with Feds

Six governors are rejecting the Pentagon’s order to inoculate their troops against COVID. Is a lawsuit next?

Threats

No Pentagon Wrong-Doing in Jan. 6 Reaction, Inspector General Finds

“DOD officials did not delay or obstruct” Guard troops who arrived at the U.S. Capitol hours after insurrectionists stormed it.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 87: Climate change vs. everyone

In this episode, we review how our understanding of the threats posed by human-caused climate change is evolving, and we look at some ways the U.S. could more smartly compete with China.

Threats

Wildfires Are So Dangerous Now that the National Guard Prepares for Them Like Hurricanes

For West Coast units, there’s no wildfire season anymore. ‘It’s really a fire year now,’ top general says.

Exclusive Policy

National Guard Scrambles for Funds After Congress Refuses to Cover Jan. 6-Related Costs

More than a half billion dollars in the hole, the Guard’s chief has ordered the heads of the Army and Air Guards to claw back money from state units.