July 20, 2020

Drawn to what matters

CONCORD, N.H. — With the New Hampshire National Guard at the forefront of most everything COVID-19 in the Granite State, Pfc. Kevin Blackstone immersed himself in a variety of small tasks from maintenance to his current duties with Task Force Distribution. The food bank mission required NH guardsmen to take on a variety of extra duties, long hours, and a fair amount of stress. Some days during a mobile food pantry, Blackstone and other soldiers gave food to families who had nowhere else to go. “At the end of the day, I could decompress by drinking a beer or I could decompress by capturing something for posterity,” he said. Blackstone chose the latter. He decided to draw.

July 10, 2020

NH National Guard to host regional Cyber Yankee exercise

CONCORD, N.H. — For the second consecutive year, the New Hampshire National Guard is hosting a regional Cyber Yankee exercise July 20 - 31 at the Edward Cross Training Center in Pembroke. Army and Air National Guard cyber defense teams from across New England will test their skills during a formidable exercise designed to simulate response to cyberattacks.

July 9, 2020

It’s a family business

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Among the hundreds of New Hampshire guardsmen who have been activated for COVID-19 relief efforts, Spc. Kailey MacDonald--a firefinder radar operator for Headquarters Battery, 197th Field Artillery Brigade--has handled her new role as an operations specialist for Joint Task Force Granite with diligence and poise.

June 29, 2020

Team of NH guardsmen entrenched at state food bank

MANCHESTER, N.H. — The New Hampshire Food Bank typically depends heavily on a staff of older adult volunteers—an age group at higher risk for COVID-19. So operations were redirected through a team of citizen-soldiers placed on active duty to help sort, cook and deliver food at cities and towns across the state. That was about three months ago. Management has since grown completely dependent on its new labor force.

June 22, 2020

COVID-19 Update #12

CONCORD, N.H. — As our support of COVID-19 relief efforts tapers, I want you to know how much your actions over the past 100 days have been appreciated. Our governor, congressional delegation, town and city leaders, police and fire chiefs, first responders and fellow citizens have a newfound, and deeper, respect for the New Hampshire National Guard.

June 12, 2020

157th Civil Engineers support NH State Veterans Cemetery

BOSCAWEN, N.H. — The 157th Civil Engineers train and support the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.

June 9, 2020

COVID-19 Update #11

CONCORD, N.H. — After three months of continuous activation, we have finally helped turn the tide against the COVID-19 pandemic. Your dedication and commitment to your communities and fellow citizens is paying off.

May 29, 2020

The IT factor

CONCORD, N.H. — Returning home from a 400-day deployment battling global cyber threats, the New Hampshire National Guard’s newest detachment found itself on the frontlines of a different kind of fight. Shortly after redeploying from Fort Meade, the citizen-soldiers of Detachment 1, 136th Cyber Support Company were at it again, helping the state’s Department of Information Technology monitor a massive upswing in computer usage by state employees teleworking in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 22, 2020

Different kind of Memorial Day

CONCORD, N.H. — While this Memorial Day looks much different from those in the past, we still come together and remember those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms that we so dearly cherish.

May 18, 2020

COVID-19 Update #10

CONCORD, N.H. — The beat goes on for the New Hampshire National Guard as COVID-19 relief efforts across the Granite State continue. While local businesses and recreation slowly begin to reopen, more than 650 New Hampshire guardsmen continue to support eight lines of effort concurrently. To date, the totals are a staggering reflection of the workload being handled by our five task forces.