U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hughes U.S. Air Force firefighters, assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard, spray water on a fire May 10, 2018 during training exercises at the Toledo Express Airport in Swanton, Ohio.
- The National Guard turned 382 years old Thursday.
- US states have faced forest fires, hurricanes, and even volcanoes this past year, and in every instance, the National Guard responded.
The National Guard, a unique part of the American military, traces its origins to the birth of the first organized colonial militia regiments on December 13, 1636.
The Guard, which includes some of the oldest units in the US military, is a reserve component that can be called up on a moment's notice to respond to domestic emergencies or participate in overseas combat missions.
These 11 stunning photos from the past year show the Guard in action - dealing with fires, hurricanes, volcanoes, and more.