Facing unprecedented global volatility, rapidly evolving technology and changes in the character of warfare, the U.S. needs all components of its Total Army, the service’s top officer said.
More than 3,500 National Guard soldiers and airmen have been deployed to Florida in response to the onslaught of wind, rain and floods brought on by Tropical Storm Debby.
The storm, which landed in Florida on Aug. 5 as a Category 1 hurricane before being downgraded to a tropical storm, was expected to continue moving through portions of the Southeast U.S., delivering heavy rainfall, storm surges and a potential for some tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.
The Senate has confirmed the nominations of two general officers who are set to lead the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve.
Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, who has been the adjutant general of Arkansas since January 2023, is slated to become the next director of the Army National Guard. He will receive his third star and succeed Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, who has led the Army National Guard since August 2020 and is expected to retire Aug. 5.
Influenced by images of Ukrainian soldiers in dug-in fighting positions, the Oklahoma National Guard is building a trench warfare training area to provide its citizen-soldiers more realistic combat scenarios.
Officials broke ground June 2 at the Oklahoma National Guard’s Camp Gruber Training Center, 60 miles southeast of Tulsa, and units are expected to be able to conduct trench warfare training as early as November, according to a news release.
Maj. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs has been nominated by President Joe Biden to be the next director of the Army National Guard, the Pentagon announced.
If confirmed by the Senate, Stubbs, who has been the adjutant general of Arkansas since January 2023, would receive his third star and succeed Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, who has led the Army National Guard since August 2020.
The National Guard and Army Reserve need increased support to modernize their equipment and manning for future conflict, the components’ top leaders testified June 18 on Capitol Hill.
After an early bout of severe weather, the National Guard is anticipating a busy disaster response season ahead, leaders from the component said.
“The operational tempo for the National Guard is pretty [high],” Col. Larry Doane, chief of the National Guard Bureau’s current operations division, said during a May 28 discussion with reporters. “With most of the country experiencing severe weather even early in the season, it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon.”
The National Guard and Army Reserve need continued investment to outcompete America’s adversaries, the components’ top leaders testified April 30 on Capitol Hill.
“Our nation’s investment in the National Guard comes at a pivotal moment,” said Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. “Our strategic competitors are seeking advantages in every domain, [including] land, sea, air space and cyber. If we are to compete and deter successfully, and, if necessary, prevail in combat, we must invest in our people.”
The National Guard’s State Partnership Program will grow by several nations this year, expanding to more than 100 the number of U.S. military partnerships with allies and partners, said Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
In remarks before defense and industry leaders participating in the McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington, D.C., Hokanson announced that Finland, Palau, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sweden and Tanzania will be added to the program in 2024.
The Army National Guard has ordered an aviation safety stand-down of all its helicopter units following two accidents in February, including a crash that killed two Mississippi Army National Guard pilots.
The length of the stand-down, which went into effect Feb. 26, is “undetermined,” said Capt. Jamie Mason, an Army National Guard spokesman.
