• Slideshow - 53rd training at Camp Blanding

    53rd training at Camp Blanding: Soldiers from the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire an M-60 machine gun during an exercise at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Oct. 29, 2009. Photo by Jon Myatt
  • Slideshow -- Ready to serve

    READY TO SERVE: Pvt. Fawziyya Harris (left) of the 631st Maintenance Company trains with her unit at Ft. McCoy, Wis., August 2009, in preparation for a year-long deployment to Iraq. -- Photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa
  • Slideshow - Helicopter at Balad

    LANDING AT BALAD: Soldiers depart a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Task Force 34, 1st Battalion, 244 Assault Helicopter Battalion, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. -- Photo by Staff Sgt. Lynette Hoke

Featured Stories

Realistic training gets Soldiers ready for deployment to IraqRealistic training gets Soldiers ready for deployment to Iraq

The Exportable Combat Training Capability, or XCTC, is taking the National Guard to a new level of readiness with training that is completely customized and tailored to unit mission and requirements.

Governor Crist lauds 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team during Training Center visitGovernor Crist lauds 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team during Training Center visit

During a visit to Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Jacksonville, Governor Charlie Crist expressed his gratitude to the 2,450 members of the Florida National Guard's 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team who are deploying to Iraq and Kuwait. (Video)

Wheat harvests flight experience to sow new careerWheat harvests flight experience to sow new career

After working as a pilot for 10 years, Spc. Kevin Wheat said he was ready for a new challenge, and at age 31 he excelled during Army basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. Now Wheat is training to become a mechanic for Black Hawk helicopters.