California National Guard

10/20/2026

The Governor’s Innovation Fellows recently visited the California Military Department Headquarters. They are members of a program managed by the Office of Data and Innovation. They met with leaders and staff and learned how the department serves Californians through emergency response, operations, and innovation.

The visit gave Fellows a firsthand look at how CMD carries out its mission and approaches challenges bringing new perspective to the work they are leading across state government.

The third cohort includes 15 Fellows from 7 agencies and 11 departments. Under ODI's leadership, the Fellows are tackling priority projects focused on improving government efficiency, service delivery, and the experience of Californians.

Governor Gavin Newsom
Engaged California

10/09/2026

CAL GUARD TAKES THE TOP SPOT! 🏆

The California National Guard Combat Shooting Team dominated the 60th Annual Admiral Nimitz Fleet Week pistol Match at Wing & Barrel Ranch in Sonoma, California.

Precision. Concentration. Discipline. When it counts, Cal Guard delivers.

10/07/2026

Preparing now for a potentially historic El Niño.

Disaster readiness is a whole-of-government responsibility in our Golden State.

Today, Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs met with Cal Guard leaders at our headquarters to discuss statewide readiness and potential Guard support for flood response, search and rescue, engineering and logistics.

Strong coordination before an emergency helps ensure California is ready when it matters most.

Thank you, Director Jacobs, and Cal OES for the continued partnership. Governor Gavin Newsom

09/18/2026

Your Cal guard offers a path to serve your community and California while building skills that last a lifetime. California Army National Guard Recruiting

09/08/2026

Six years ago, over the Labor Day weekend, California National Guard air crews launched into one of the most challenging search-and-rescue missions in California wildfire history, rescuing 242 people trapped by the flames.

Hear the story and watch the mission in the full documentary here: https://youtu.be/LH6nv_ScuBw?si=rpUnhBTtMinEMKPF

09/07/2026

Six years ago, over the Labor Day weekend, Cal Guard aircrews launched into one of the most challenging search-and-rescue missions in California wildfire history.

Hear the story of that night from the Cal Guard air crews who flew in.
A new documentary brings together the firsthand accounts of the aircrews, cell phone footage from those trapped at Mammoth Pool, and news coverage from the unfolding rescue.

See the mission. Hear the stories. Experience the night that 242 people will never forget.
Watch the documentary and discover what it took to bring them home.

When the Creek Fire exploded in Fresno County in September of 2020,...

09/04/2026

Six years ago today, the Creek Fire ignited in Fresno and Madera counties, forcing hundreds of people to flee for their lives.

24 hours later, as CAL FIRE and first responders battled the flames, Cal Guard aircrews were called for a search-and-rescue mission: dozens of families were trapped at Mammoth Pool Reservoir with the fire closing in.

Over one long night, our aircrews evacuated 242 people from Mammoth Pool.

Six years later, a new documentary tells the story through the crew members who carried out the rescue, along with cell phone footage and news coverage from that night.

When the historic Creek Fire rapidly surrounded Mammoth Pool Reserv...

08/26/2026

For more than three decades, California and Ukraine have stood together.

Last night, Maj. Gen. Matthew Beevers joined California’s Ukrainian community at the State Capitol to mark Ukrainian Independence Day and reaffirm our enduring partnership and support for the people of Ukraine.

🇺🇸🇺🇦 Governor Gavin Newsom The National Guard U.S. Embassy Kyiv Ukraine

08/10/2026

Check the latest story from Cal Guard’s Grizzly magazine!
BTS: Cal Guard and CAL FIRE 2026 Aerial Firefighting Training

Cal Guard and CAL FIRE collaborate during 2026 annual wildland firefighting training in helicopters and on the ground.

08/07/2026

This is what all-of-California wildfire readiness looks like in action.
Meet Joint Task Force Rattlesnake | Your Cal Guard on the frontlines

Today, 5 Rattlesnake hand crews are supporting the , with a 6th on the . Made up entirely of Cal Guard personnel, Joint Task Force Rattlesnake fields 14 full-time Type I hand crews, each led by CAL FIRE, that support wildfire operations year-round. These crews construct and strengthen fireline, clear vegetation, and perform the demanding work needed to help slow a wildfire’s spread wherever they’re needed. Governor Gavin Newsom CAL FIRE Cal OES CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit CALFIRE MEU U.S. National Guard