U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric “Rebel” Emerson, commander, 119th Fighter Squadron, 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey National Guard, looks at audience members attending the 2024 Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Fighter Pilot Award ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Feb. 10, 2026. Named after the Vietnam War fighter pilot who went missing in action in 1972, Emerson was the first Air National Guard pilot to receive the award, which recognizes fighter pilots for “superior leadership qualities, exceptional flying proficiency and community involvement.” (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, left, acting director, Air National Guard, and Lt. Col. Eric “Rebel” Emerson, commander, 119th Fighter Squadron, 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey National Guard, recognize audience members during the 2024 Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Fighter Pilot Award ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Feb. 10, 2026. Named after the Vietnam War fighter pilot who went missing in action in 1972, Emerson was the first Air National Guard pilot to receive the award, which recognizes fighter pilots for “superior leadership qualities, exceptional flying proficiency and community involvement.” (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith)

From left, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, acting director, Air National Guard, Lt. Col. Eric “Rebel” Emerson, commander, 119th Fighter Squadron, 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey National Guard and Colleen Shine showcase the 2024 Lt. Col. Anthony C. Shine Fighter Pilot Award during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Feb. 10, 2026. Named after the Vietnam War fighter pilot who went missing in action in 1972, Emerson was the first Air National Guard pilot to receive the award, which recognizes fighter pilots for “superior leadership qualities, exceptional flying proficiency and community involvement.” Shine is the daughter of the award’s namesake. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Erich B. Smith)

Lt. Gen. Thomas M. Carden, Vice Commander, U.S. Element, North American Aerospace Defense Command and Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command. (Department of Defense photo)

Pennsylvania National Guard and Côte d’Ivoire military officials announced on Jan. 13, 2026, that the Pennsylvania National Guard has been selected to partner with Côte d’Ivoire through the Department of War National Guard State Partnership Program. (Pennsylvania National Guard graphic by Wayne V. Hall)

U.S. Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Charles Hausman, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, left, passes the 131st Bomb Wing guidon to Col. Matthew Howard, incoming 131st Bomb Wing commander command during a change of command ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, January 9, 2026. Howard previously served as the wing deputy commander and has more than 23 years of experience in the fighter and bomber communities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Samuel Al-Nimri)