Gen. Steven Nordhaus

Great to fly the F-16 with Arizona’s 162nd Wing. On the ground, I caught up with Col. Brant “Pelt” Putnam, wing commander; Maj. Titus “Redact” Wong, ACA director of operations; and Capt. Matus “Skosh” Bartalsky, a Slovak Air Force student pilot, to hear all the things happening at the 162nd Wing. As the Air Force’s primary F-16 training unit for American and international pilots, the wing has trained aviators from 25 countries, building partnerships on mutual trust and shared interest. While pilots from around the globe earn their wings, the 162nd’s aerospace control alert detachment stands ready 24/7 to protect the Nation’s Southwest airspace. Your National Guard is ready, lethal and committed to being the best—Homeland, Warfight and Partnerships! #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere – at Tucson, AZ

The Army National Guard's Western Army Aviation Training Site in Arizona is one of the @USArmy's premier helicopter training and aviation maintenance facilities. Command Sgt. Maj. Kendrick and I caught up with Chief Warrant Officer 4 Randall Peterson, WAATS instructor pilot, and 1st Sgt. Valerie Douglas, WAATS deputy commandant, to talk about how they prepare our Soldiers to meet the demands of the future fight. Training hard today to win tomorrow—that’s readiness. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere

Command Sgt. Maj. Kendrick and I had a great visit with our Arizona Guardsmen, seeing the state’s MQ-9 Reaper operations and Army National Guard Western Army Aviation Training Site. The 214th Attack Group’s MQ-9 Reapers provide troops on the ground with a constant eye in the sky to gather intelligence, maintain surveillance and strike targets with precision when needed. These same capabilities also help state and national leaders assess emergencies and respond faster at home. WAATS is one of the Army’s premier training sites for attack and scout helicopter crews. Its state-of-the-art flight simulator complex helps aviators across all Army components sharpen their skills and maintain combat readiness. Thank you for all you do to keep our force ready and lethal! #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere

In New Mexico, CSM Kendrick and I met with Sgt. 1st Class Richard Aragon, who has led teams on dozens of disaster response missions, saving many lives. When a seizing infant couldn’t be reached by helicopter or vehicle during last week’s statewide severe flood response, he and his Soldiers walked several miles to reach the family and help make the rescue possible. His leadership and expertise continue to help save lives and protect property in New Mexico communities. I’m proud to serve alongside Soldiers like him. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere

Great to spend time with our Guardsmen in New Mexico alongside Command Sgt. Maj. Kendrick to hear how they’re supporting global operations, while simultaneously responding to natural disasters in their own communities. Following severe flooding across the state last week, New Mexico’s Soldiers and Airmen are supporting interagency partners with high-water rescues and ongoing recovery efforts. From regional security and theater logistics overseas, to rapid, lifesaving response at home, these Soldiers and Airmen exemplify the National Guard’s dual mission: providing combat-ready forces to our services and the Joint Force, while responding in the Homeland when disaster or crisis strikes. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere

To our deployed teammates, thank you for your incredible service on this Day of the Deployed! Whether you are deployed globally or securing our communities at home, you are what makes the National Guard an elite & lethal warfighting & response force. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere

One Team, one fight! Leveraging our Guard warriors’ lethal capabilities and deep operational experience makes the entire Joint Force stronger.

There is no substitute for experiencing the operational environment firsthand. This week, I joined Maj. Gen. Efferson, acting director of the @AirNatlGuard, at @WrightPattAFB for high-G centrifuge training with the outstanding team at the 342nd Training Squadron’s Acceleration Training Flight. This elite team prepares approximately 1,200 U.S. and international fighter aircrew annually to recognize physiological threats, master the Anti-G Straining Maneuver and perform under the extreme demands of (9G) high-performance flight. As the @USAirForce's only centrifuge training program, the 342nd TRS plays a critical role in training our warfighters to increase combat capability and strengthen Total Force readiness. #FlyFightWin – at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH

Great to be at #AUSA2026 to see the pace of innovation and emerging tech with our industry partners. Outstanding to hear from @SecWar, the service secretaries, Gen. LaNeve, and other leaders, on the strategic direction of the @USArmy and the future of autonomous systems within our Joint Force. Our National Guard warfighters are ready to put these capabilities to work—faster, together with industry, for the warfight and the homeland. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere – at Washington, DC

Congratulations to the Army National Guard for earning second place in the 2026 @USArmy Best Squad Competition! This squad's performance is a clear indicator of the discipline, teamwork and warfighting excellence our Soldiers bring to every mission. These Warriors represented the Army Guard at the highest level and exemplified the strength of our operational force. #AlwaysReadyAlwaysThere – at Washington, DC

Congratulations to Greece and the @FLGuard! Partnerships are a force multiplier. This one builds on decades of U.S.-Greece defense ties and the National Guard’s 117 global partnerships through the @DeptofWar National Guard State Partnership Program. #StrongerTogetherStrongerTomorrow

Great to see Air Force win today; even better to see the future leaders of our Joint Force. Our Nation’s military is in great hands!

Go Air Force, Sink Navy!!

Great to start gameday with PT alongside @SecWar, @officialCSAF and Air Force Academy cadets—future warriors! Go Air Force!

We’re excited for the opportunity to work with the states, governors and adjutants general to find the home for the Next Great American Base!

Honored to meet with Latvia’s Minister of Defense, Hon. Raivis Melnis, and Latvian Ambassador Elita Kuzma today to reaffirm our historic 33-year partnership—one of the original three partnerships under the @DeptofWar National Guard State Partnership Program.   Latvia’s partnership with the Michigan Guard is highly active, with more than 100 Michigan Guardsmen deploying annually to help build the Sēlija Training Range. Michigan and Latvia continue to show what enduring partnerships can accomplish: #StrongerTogetherStrongerTomorrow

Honored to meet with Honduran Ambassador Roberto Flores Bermúdez today to discuss Honduras’ enduring security cooperation relationship with the National Guard. Since 1998, the partnership between Honduras and the Puerto Rico National Guard through the @DeptofWar State Partnership Program has been a model of enduring cooperation—strengthened by the leadership and presence of Puerto Rico's adjutant general, Brig. Gen. Carlos Rivera Román and his team. Strong partnerships like this are critical to bolstering security and stability across the Western Hemisphere. #StrongerTogetherStrongerTomorrow – at Washington, DC

Shannon and I were honored to stand alongside Gold Star Mothers and Families today at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying and commemoration ceremony honoring our fallen heroes. Hearing their stories and witnessing their strength was humbling. Your National Guard family stands behind you—today and always. We will never forget. 💛