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Idaho National Guard, Idaho Department of Lands train to prepare for fire season
Idaho National Guard aviation crews conducted water bucket training alongside Idaho Department of Lands personnel May 19 and 20 in preparation for the 2026 fire season. The IDL experts employed reflective panels to simulate active fires and communicated with Army National Guard pilots to maximize the efficiency of each 530-gallon bucket of water dropped.
Adjutant General of Idaho Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan flew on a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during the May 19 training event to observe and learn more about the mission while the crew conducted the water bucket training.
“Wildfire response demands teamwork, preparation and trust,” said Donnellan. “I’m proud of the professionalism our Soldiers and crews demonstrate while training with our state partners to ensure we are ready when called upon by the governor to protect lives, property and critical resources across Idaho.”
In addition to the fleet of Black Hawks and crews standing by to support seasonal wildland firefighting efforts, Orchard Fire and Emergency Services is providing initial and refresher Wildland Firefighter 2 training to Idaho National Guard members. To date, more than 250 Idaho Guardsmen have completed the qualification course. This certification ensures Guardsmen are ready to work fire lines in support ground operations.
The IDL and Idaho Military Division cooperation is facilitated by a Reciprocal Fire Protection Agreement, which allows the IDL to initiate a request for assistance when its own resources become strained.
“Wildfire response is a team effort, and aggressive attack is critical,” said Dustin Miller, Director of the Idaho Department of Lands. “Through our partnership with the Idaho Army National Guard, we’re building the readiness, coordination and capability needed to protect Idahoans when every second counts.”
Idaho Guardsmen take runner-up spot in Best Mapper UK 2026
An Idaho National Guard team earned runner-up honors in the British Army’s Best Mapper UK 2026 competition held at Longmoor Camp in Hampshire, England. Maj. Benjamin Farnsworth and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christine Smith were the only U.S. military representatives entered in the competition. They faced off against two teams from the Canadian Armed Forces and six teams fielded by the British Army. A team representing the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre took top honors.
Farnsworth, military intelligence officer, said placing in the competition is coveted within this small professional community.
“For us, the main goal was really to go and represent the United States Army and the Idaho Army National Guard and the 116th (Cavalry Brigade Combat Team),” said Farnsworth. “We also tried to take advantage of the cultural immersion, especially getting to know our counterparts in the British and Canadian militaries so we could understand them better and build those relationships.”
According to Farnsworth, the Best Mapper UK is a newer offspring of the U.S. Amy’s Best Mapper competition and is designed to create an order of merit list to decide which British teams will compete at Ft. Leonard Wood. Best Mapper UK is in its second year, although this year marks the first time the British Army has sent an open invitation to allies.
In addition to tasks related to geospatial mapping, Mapper UK tests a variety of fundamental soldiering skills including marksmanship, land navigation, vehicle maintenance and physical fitness.
Smith, a geospatial engineering technician, said the challenges presented by the competition provided an opportunity to test herself personally and professionally.
“Just being immersed in that week-long training exercise where you’re never really taking a break from it is a valuable experience, and we can learn something about ourselves from being pushed to our limits,” said Smith. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity that I got to go and represent Idaho.”
Idaho Army National Guard conducts 8th search and rescue mission of 2025
An Idaho Army National Guard helicopter crew from Detachment 1, Golf Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment executed the IDARNG Aviation Group’s eighth successful search and rescue mission of 2025 on Wednesday. The unit responded with an HH-60M Black Hawk and crew to a request from Air St. Luke’s for a helicopter with hoist capability. The Air St. Luke’s aircrew had located the patient, a 55-year-old male with a broken leg on a ridgeline near Fiddle Lake on Trinity Mountain east of Boise.
An initial assessment indicated that no suitable landing zone was available near the patient. However, by the time the HH-60 crew arrived on scene, the Air St. Luke’s team had located a suitable LZ, landed and hiked to the patient to assess him and provide first aid.
Sgt. First Class Jade Parsons, the crew’s senior flight medic, was hoisted down and made contact with the Air St. Luke’s team at the patient’s location. After conferring, the joint team determined that with the landing zone and additional manpower, the patient could now be carried by litter from the point of injury to the Air St. Luke’s helicopter. Working together, the Air St. Luke’s and Army National Guard crew members carried the patient by litter to the landing zone and loaded him into the Air St. Luke’s helicopter. However, due to power limitations of their helicopter, the Air St. Luke’s crew was unable to safely evacuate the patient’s dog and gear along with him.
Parsons and Staff Sgt. Jake Brown – the second Army medic on the mission – improvised a muzzle and makeshift hearing protection for the dog before loading him and the patient’s gear into the Black Hawk. The Soldiers then safely delivered the dog and gear to a Fairfield ambulance that was on standby about a mile away.
“In the National Guard, we’re also trained in canine medicine, so we know how to sedate, protect and transport them,” said Parsons.
In this case, the dog was friendly and did not require sedation to board the Black Hawk and fly to safety.
“He was really good,” said Parsons. “When we got him to the ambulance and he got the muzzle off, he turned around and smiled at us.”
Idaho Bureau of Emergency Medical Services joins Idaho Military Division
The Idaho Military Division is excited to welcome the state’s Bureau of Emergency Medical Services into the organization. This transition, effective July 1, 2025, marks a significant step toward enhancing Idaho’s emergency response capabilities and building a more resilient state.
As the state’s coordinating body for emergency management through IOEM, the division brings decades of experience in disaster preparedness, coordination and community support. The integration of EMS creates new opportunities for innovation, collaboration and expanded service.
“This transition presents IMD with an opportunity to use our knowledge and build upon our expertise while continuing to serve Idahoans through expanded capabilities that enhance our commitment to public safety,” said Adjutant General of Idaho Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan. “We’re excited to welcome EMS into IMD and look forward to the incredible impact we can make together for communities across the state.”
The EMS Bureau supports a range of critical programs, including EMS systems and licensing, State Communications and the Time Sensitive Emergency program. While EMS delivery varies across Idaho, this move brings renewed focus and coordination to address system-wide challenges such as staffing and long-term sustainability.
EMS operations will relocate to Gowen Field in Boise, further aligning daily coordination with state emergency functions and reinforcing Idaho’s unified approach to public safety. StateComm will continue operations from its current location in Meridian.
Additionally, increased grant funding has been authorized for nonprofit and governmental 911 response agencies to support personnel and operational needs, an important step toward strengthening EMS at the local level.
“Across a large and geographically diverse state like Idaho, timely response and efficient coordination are important to saving lives,” said EMS Bureau Chief Wayne Denny. “This transition will help maintain and continue to improve strong partnerships with healthcare providers, emergency responders and public health professionals across the state.”
House Bill 206, introduced in the House Transportation and Defense Committee, passed both chambers with majority support during the 2025 legislative session. The legislation directed the move of EMS from IDHW to IMD.
IMD is working closely with EMS leadership, the Governor’s Office, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and other partners to support a smooth transition.
The Idaho Military Division remains fully committed to the bureau’s mission: to reduce disease, injury and death through prevention, awareness and quality service. By aligning resources and expertise under one roof, this transition enhances Idaho’s ability to protect the health and safety of its residents today and into the future.
For media inquiries regarding this news release, please contact EMS Bureau Chief Wayne Denny at Wayne.Denny@dhw.idaho.gov or 208-334-4000.
Leaning Forward: Idaho National Guard Forges Cyber Defense Through Realistic Training
In an era where threats are just as likely to be identified in cyberspace as on the battlefield, the Idaho National Guard is redefining what it means to protect and defend. Through exercises like Cyber Discovery, the Guard is not only training its members to respond to cyber threats but also forging critical partnerships with state agencies, educational institutions and fellow military units from across the country.
Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard, South Dakota Army National Guard and Alaska National Guard joined with civilian experts from Saint Luke’s, Boise State University and the City of Nampa to conduct Cyber Discovery 2025 May 16 to June 12. The exercise was hosted by the State of Idaho Office of Information Technology Services at the state’s Chinden Campus in Boise.
“Cyber Discovery is essentially a joint cyber exercise where the military division and executive branches of Idaho come together,” said Warrant Officer 1 Seth Gaskins, a member of the Idaho Army National Guard and one of the key figures behind the collaborative exercise. “It’s an annual training event designed to stress test the state’s cyber capabilities while helping Airmen and Soldiers improve their skill sets on offensive cyber capabilities.”
Unlike many training events that rely on controlled, simulated environments, Cyber Discovery pushes participants into a more realistic digital battlefield, according to Gaskins.
“Cyber Shield is a great event but it’s largely simulated,” said Gaskins, referencing a well known national cyber exercise. “Cyber Discovery is different. It uses real networks and real-world vulnerabilities. It’s dynamic. There’s someone on the other side pushing back in real time.”
This year’s exercise pitted a “red team” simulating a coordinated cyber attack by a foreign adversary against a “blue team” tasked with detecting the threat and executing a incident response plan. The scenario offers Airmen and Soldiers a rare opportunity to train in a highly realistic, high-pressure environment that closely mirrors the challenges of real-world cyber warfare.
“Real world events happen every day, just because we don’t hear about it, does not mean it’s not being dealt with,” said Gaskins. “Cyber Discovery is used as a controlled live threat that simulates real world actions.”
Cyber Discovery is just one of several cyber exercises the Idaho National Guard engages in. Gaskins also leads monthly outreach missions where state organizations invite his team to identify and assess potential vulnerabilities in their systems. These collaborative efforts not only provide a valuable stress test for the organizations’ cyber defenses but also gives Guard members critical hands-on experience in real world environments.
As cyber threats continue to evolve in complexity and scale, the Idaho National Guard remains committed to staying ahead of the curve by training its personnel on the front lines of digital defense and building lasting partnerships that strengthen the state’s cyber resilience. In Idaho, the fight to secure cyberspace is already underway and the Idaho National Guard is leading the way forward.
State Aviation Group trains with Boise Fire Department
OCTC hosts 17th Field Artillery Brigade for HIMARS training
Idaho National Guard mobilizes 350 Guardsmen for Presidential Inauguration 60
The Idaho National Guard mobilized approximately 350 Soldiers and Airmen to Washington, D.C. Jan. 17 to assist district and federal agencies with the 60th Presidential Inauguration.
“I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Idaho National Guard as they mobilize to support civil authorities during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C.,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan, adjutant general of Idaho and commander of the Idaho National Guard. “Their professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to our nation exemplify the very best of our state and our military tradition. I have full confidence in their ability to represent Idaho with honor and ensure the safety and security of this historic event.”
Idaho is one of approximately 40 National Guard states supporting the peaceful transfer of power between President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald J. Trump Jan. 20.
Guardsmen will augment the Washington D.C. National Guard and serve in support of the U.S. Secret Service, the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating the event, and assist the U.S. Capitol Police. Guardsmen will assist with crowd management, traffic control, emergency response services and other critical tasks necessary for the event’s success.
Idaho’s citizen-Soldiers and Airmen will return to Idaho following the inauguration.
The National Guard’s predecessors supported George Washington’s first inauguration and the National Guard has supported every inauguration since Abraham Lincoln’s in 1861. This mobilization maintains this tradition. More recently, the Idaho National Guard supported the 59th Presidential Inauguration in a similar role in 2021.
The Idaho National Guard also deployed a UH-60 Black Hawk company to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, last week for an unrelated year-long mission supporting the Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan in the National Capital Region, a routine rotational mission performed by National Guard units in support of the U.S Army.
Helicopter company deploys to National Capital Region
The Idaho National Guard deployed 10 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and more than 80 Soldiers to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia Jan. 10 and 11 on a year-long deployment in support of the Joint Emergency Evacuation Plan mission. Soldiers from the Idaho National Guard’s Company B, 1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion bid farewell to family and friends during a departure ceremony at Gowen Field Jan. 9.
“This mission is vital to the safety and security of our nation, and I truly believe each of you are the most valuable asset that we are taking with us,” said Capt. Eric Fitzpatrick, B Co. commander. “Each of you has been trained to meet the challenges that you are about to face, and I believe you are the backbone of this mission.”
Maj. Gen. Tim Donnellan, commander of the Idaho National Guard, was on hand to wish the Soldiers farewell and remind family members of resources available to them should they need them.
“All the hard work, all the training that you have done will satisfy the requirements for this incredible federal mission,” said Donnellan. “I’m very proud that, once again, Idaho is stepping up and we are answering the call, and we are doing what we said we would do. We will be ready, and we will be relevant when asked to do these missions.”
The JEEP is a recurring mission shared by National Guard and active-duty units from across the nation. 1-183rd AHB will provide airlift capabilities to official personnel in the Capital Region.
U.S. Special Forces, Indian Army bring Vajra Prahar to Idaho
The U.S. Army’s 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), along with partners from the Indian Army’s Special Operations Forces and the Idaho National Guard’s 124th Air Support Operations Squadron participated in Exercise Vajra Prahar Nov. 2 through 22 on Orchard Combat Training Center ranges and facilities. The exercise is designed to enhance cooperative relationships between the elite units, focusing on realistic training scenarios that challenge participants in complex environments.
The 124th ASOS was tasked to provide the Indian soldiers with Joint Terminal Attack Controller and close air support instruction to enhance interoperability between Indian and U.S. special operations forces.
“We helped build stronger relationships with the partner force by demonstrating the Tactical Air Control Party’s commitment to their success and providing them with valuable training and resources,” said Master Sgt. Douglas K. Brock, a JTAC with 124th ASOS. “In the end, the 124th ASOS showcased their ability to work with anyone, anywhere, at any time to achieve mission success by maintaining a high level of readiness, while also building a foundation for future training and development opportunities.”
Vajra Prahar is an annual exercise, now in its 15th year, and changes locations annually between U.S. and Indian training facilities to improve the special operators’ ability to work together in a variety of terrain and climate combinations. This is the first time the exercise has taken place in Idaho.
“The airspace and training facilities have been awesome at the OCTC,” said a member of 1st SFG(A). “They’ve given us the ability to run CH-47 Chinook missions, live talk on JTAC training, conduct sniper training and make direct-action assaults on multiple urban objectives.”
The combination of the realistic training environment and integration of skillsets from each of the participating units fostered tactical improvements and stronger relationships among the partner-nation forces, according to the 1st SFG(A) Soldier.
“By engaging in this rigorous training, participants develop their skills improve communication and foster a spirit of collaboration that is essential for successful operations in real-world situations,” he said. “Working alongside our partners across the Indo-Pacific region increases security capacity and interoperability among our forces.”
The OCTC, a 173,000-acre training center is a premier joint combined arms training site located 18 miles south of Boise, provides world-class training facilities for war fighters from all U.S. Armed Forces and partner nations from around the globe.