While the citizens of Maryland braced for Hurricane Irene and were warned to seek shelter or stay in their homes, more than 500 Citizen-Soldiers, Airmen and Maryland Defense Force volunteers from units across the state sprang into action to do what they do best–help their neighbors.

Members of the Maryland National Guard teamed up with local Maryland police and fire departments to conduct Operation Underdog Aug. 3 in Essex, Md. Operation Underdog is a joint operation between the National Guard, the Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments and other volunteer departments, to conduct simulated rescue missions during flood and high water scenarios.

On July 5, 2011 Senior Airman Gideon L. Connelly, repair and reclamation crew chief, 175th Maintenance Squadron, was involved in a motorcycle accident in Baltimore County with serious damage to his left leg. The doctors told the Maryland Air National Guardsman if he kept his leg, it would leave him with limitations to what he could do. However, if the ...

Members of the Maryland Army National Guard participated in a two-day competition to earn the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency February 17 and 18, 2011, at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Md.

Maryland, West Virginia and District of Columbia officer candidates completed another inactive duty training weekend Feb. 4-6, 2011, at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation, Md. reaching the halfway mark in the Maryland Officer Candidate School traditional program.

The Maryland National Guard’s 32nd Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction), along with the 5th CST from Illinois, conducted the joint exercise Operation Bold Raven Jan. 9-17 in Kapolei, Hawaii. Operation Bold Raven allowed the two teams to train and collaborate as well as conduct an airlift deployment and a joint entry.

Every month, officer candidates spend three days away from their families training to become future leaders in the Army National Guard. Family members wait at home while candidates spend a weekend learning skills and tactics before coming home tired, dirty and in need of some rest. The family members are continuously there to support the candidates, without fully understanding what ...

Chief Warrant Officer Gaven Meadows, tactical operations officer in the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Charlie Company 2-224 Aviation Regiment, received the Estonian Border Guard Cross of Merit Class III award during a ceremony at the Estonian Embassy in Washington D.C., Nov. 24, 2010.

The Maryland National Guard’s 32nd Civil Support Team (Weapons of Mass Destruction), based out of Fort George G. Meade, Md., took part in Vigilant Guard Nov. 5-7, 2010, in Baltimore. Vigilant Guard is a multi-agency exercise that focuses on building relationships between the National Guard and local first responders.

The Maryland Army National Guard recently helped call attention to the need to protect the environment during a drill weekend at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation near Reisterstown, Md.