New Mexico National Guard

10/25/2026

Here is the very latest information coming out of San Juan County regarding the situation there.

If you missed today's live briefing, here is a summary:

Critical Safety Warnings & Re-entry Status
Re-Entry Strongly Discouraged: Law enforcement and emergency officials urge residents not to return to evacuated homes yet. First responders and utility teams are actively checking neighborhoods to make sure it is safe before anyone goes back.

Floodwater Contamination: Floodwater is toxic and dangerous. It contains raw sewage, fuel, fertilizers, bug sprays, and industrial waste.

Hygiene & PPE: If you must touch floodwater or wet items, protect yourself with gloves, safety glasses, coveralls, and a mask. Take off dirty clothes outside, put them in a sealed bag, and wash them completely separate from your regular laundry.

Hidden Hazards: As water drops, it reveals hidden dangers like sinkholes, washed-out roads, buried sharp trash, and weakened foundations.

Do Not Flip Switches or Start Generators: If you enter a damaged home, do not touch light switches, electric panels, or run generators. Broken gas lines and wet wires create a serious explosion hazard. Utilities will be turned back on safely only after official inspections.

Clean-Up & Debris Disposal Warning
Do Not Begin Debris Removal Yet: Officials instruct residents not to start tearing out or piling up drywall, carpet, furniture, or spoiled food yet.

Landfill Restrictions: County landfills and transfer stations cannot take flood trash at this time. An organized, community cleanup plan is in the works and will be shared soon.

San Juan County Road Closures:
CR 5500 and CR 6675 bridges remain closed until safety checks start on Monday at the earliest.

CR 7900 (at the 9-mile marker on the Escavada Wash) and CR 7730 remain closed.

Farmington Roads & Water:
Roads reopened: Bisti Bridge and Navajo Street near Auburn.

Drinking Water: City water is being sourced from Lake Farmington and remains completely safe to drink.

Wastewater: The sewer treatment plant is running normally, and two pump stations that flooded are repaired and back on.

River Trails and parks along waterways remain closed.

Aztec:
Park Closures: Hartman Park, Riverside Park, and the pedestrian bridge stay closed until further notice. Aztec Schools have been notified so walking students can take alternate routes.

Water/Sewer: Drinking water is safe. The wastewater plant is running but overloaded; residents are asked to use as little indoor water as possible (flush less, limit showers and sink use).

Bloomfield:
Potable water and utilities remain functional and safe. The water plant and pump stations are running normally.

Police are running 24/7 patrols in evacuated areas to stop trespassing and looting.

Electric Utility Status (FEUS)
Around 400 customers are kept shut off on purpose for safety.

Always treat fallen power lines as live and dangerous. Report them immediately.

Dedicated phone hotlines for electric customers will be launched and shared on the utility website, Facebook, and through 2-1-1.

Weather Alert
Officials warn that an incoming storm could hit the area with conditions just as severe as the first round.

Additional Community Updates
Private Well Testing: If your private water well was flooded, do not drink the water until it is tested and disinfected.

Water Testing Kits: Testing kits have been ordered and will be available soon.

Non-emergency Needs:
Continue to keep 911 lines open for emergencies. 211 has increased call capacity. If you cannot get through, leave a message and they will return your call. There is no need for volunteers at this time.

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/w22vkRZDFAU?si=oVYWXptXVcMUP-5n

10/24/2026

NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD HELPS MAKE THE 4TH ANNUAL BIG BOX OF LOVE FOOD DRIVE A HUGE SUCCESS! 🇺🇸❤️

After eight hours of community service today, New Mexico National Guard Soldiers and Airmen wrapped up another successful Big Box of Love Food Drive alongside Big 98.5 FM's Chaz Malibu at Albertsons on Coors and Alameda in Albuquerque!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our fellow New Mexicans, this year's event raised an amazing:

💵 $23,930.11 in donations!

📦 209 Boxes of Love filled with non-perishable food, pet food and personal hygiene products!

All donations help provide essential assistance to low-income seniors and Veterans throughout our community.

The New Mexico National Guard has proudly supported this event since its inception four years ago, and this year's tremendous turnout demonstrates once again the generosity and compassion of New Mexicans.

Even as our Soldiers and Airmen continue supporting disaster response operations across the state, saving lives, our Guard members remain committed to serving their communities in every way possible.

To everyone who donated, volunteered or stopped by to show their support — THANK YOU!

Always Ready, Always There! 🇺🇸

¡Siempre Adelante!

10/24/2026

🇺🇸 JOIN US FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL BIG BOX OF LOVE FOOD DRIVE! ❤️📦

New Mexico National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have joined forces once again with Big 98.5 FM's Chaz Malibu for the 4th Annual Big Box of Love Food Drive!

📍 Albertsons – Coors and Alameda, Albuquerque

⏰ We're here until 4 p.m. TODAY!

The New Mexico National Guard has proudly supported this event since its inception, helping raise funds and collect non-perishable food items, pet food, and personal hygiene products for New Mexicans in need our low income senior citizens and Veterans.

Even as our Soldiers and Airmen are deployed across the state assisting local authorities with disaster response operations, our commitment to serving our communities continues right here in Albuquerque.

💪 Whether responding to emergencies or helping families put food on the table, your New Mexico National Guard is always ready, always there!

Stop by, say hello, and help us fill the Big Box of Love! Every donation makes a difference!

10/24/2026

More local coverage of our efforts in San Juan County, NM as we work alongside our state and local partners to help New Mexicans in need:

After severe flooding grounded helicopters, crews spent hours trying to reach a child in medical distress near Chaco Canyon.

10/23/2026

KOAT news channel 7 captured a bird's eye view of us in San Juan County earlier today.

We're there alongside other partner agencies, including NM State Police aviators hoisting folks to safety:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/De2aI-MAUST/?rpxt=MXJ0c2R5YTI5bzEzbg==

10/23/2026

New Mexico National Guard Rescues Infant Near Chaco Canyon Amid Severe Weather and Washed-Out Roads

By Hank Minitrez, NMNG Public Affairs Director

📸: NMNG CERT; photos of the rough terrain traversed to reach the infant.

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico National Guard Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) personnel successfully evacuated an infant experiencing repeated seizures near Chaco Canyon overnight Oct. 22–23 after severe weather washed out roads and prevented aviation assets from reaching the residence.

The rescue was a coordinated effort involving the New Mexico National Guard, New Mexico State Police, Tribal Police and local emergency medical services.

While Guard personnel battled dangerous weather and impassable roads to reach the remote residence, State Police and EMS personnel maintained telephone contact with the family for hours, providing critical medical guidance and support until rescuers could reach the infant.

CERT personnel departed Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and Farmington at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday, responding after normal duty hours to the medical emergency.

Teams arrived in the area at approximately 8 p.m. and immediately began assessing conditions and identifying potential access routes.

Severe weather had grounded aviation assets throughout New Mexico and neighboring states, eliminating the possibility of an aerial evacuation.

Compounding the challenge, flooding had completely washed out the roads leading to the residence.

After several hours of unsuccessful attempts to reach the home, three CERT members proceeded on foot through difficult terrain to reach the infant and provide emergency assistance.

The team reached the residence at approximately midnight and learned that the infant had experienced 12 seizures.

CERT personnel provided emergency medical care, stabilized the infant and remained at the residence while coordinating an alternate evacuation route.

Working alongside New Mexico State Police, Tribal Police and local emergency responders, personnel eventually identified an alternate access route that allowed the infant and mother to be safely evacuated.

At approximately 1:15 a.m. Friday, the infant and mother were transferred to Bloomfield Emergency Medical Services for continued medical care and transportation.

“Saving this infant’s life was a true whole-of-team effort,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General of New Mexico. “When severe weather and washed-out roads grounded our aircraft, it took extraordinary persistence from every agency involved to reach this family. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the New Mexico State Police and emergency medical responders who stayed on the line with the family for hours, providing a vital medical lifeline while our Soldiers and Airmen battled the elements on the ground. That unwavering dedication and partnership between our Guard, State Police, and EMS personnel made it possible to get this child the critical attention they needed.”

The operation highlighted the importance of coordination among military, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel during life-threatening emergencies, particularly in remote areas where severe weather and damaged infrastructure can significantly complicate rescue efforts.

Despite extreme weather, grounded aircraft and the destruction of primary access roads, the combined efforts of military and civilian first responders ensured the infant received critical medical attention and was safely transferred for further treatment.

10/21/2026

LANL Leaders Recognized for Supporting National Guard Service Members

By Hank Minitrez, New Mexico National Guard Public Affairs Director

LOS ALAMOS, N.M. – The New Mexico National Guard joined Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Oct. 21 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to recognize Triad National Security, LLC leaders for their outstanding support of military service members.

Nominated by 1st Lt. Dylan O'Brien of the 1-200th Infantry Battalion, Patriot Awards were presented to Andrew Felton, Ysabella Trujillo and Vanessa Cordova. Rolanda Salazar, who was unable to attend, will also receive the award.

Brig. Gen. Pia Romero, New Mexico National Guard Director of Joint Staff, discussed the Guard's mission and the critical role civilian employers play in military readiness.

Supportive employers are essential to the success of the National Guard and Reserve.

By providing flexibility and understanding when service members are called to duty, employers help ensure Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen can fulfill their military obligations while maintaining successful civilian careers. This partnership strengthens military readiness, our communities and our nation.

Felton, a U.S. Navy veteran, also signed an ESGR Statement of Support, reaffirming LANL's commitment to employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

Thank you to LANL and its leadership for standing behind those who serve!

10/21/2026

NMMM hosts Quilts of Valor presentation

By Douglas Mallary, NMNG Public Affairs Office

SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Military Museum hosted an Oct. 20 Quilts of Valor presentation ceremony for the Northern New Mexico Quilt Guild.

The guild presented handmade quilts to six military veterans.

The veterans are listed in alphabetical order as follows.

Joanna Callaway, a former U.S. Navy petty officer third class who served from 1974 to 1978

Harry Heflin, who served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant from 1970 to 1972, including duty on the demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Korea

Joe Kelly Hughes, a former U.S. Navy lieutenant and SEAL who served from 1968 to 1975, including two tours in Vietnam

Edwin Martin, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1979, including a tour in Vietnam

Pedro Vigil Martinez, who served 22 years in the U.S. Army between 1975 and 2005, including a tour in Iraq

Gary Modory, a former lance corporal who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1968

The quilts presented were accompanied by letters from the quilters, reminding the veterans that the quilts were made to keep them warm in love, gratitude and respect.

Jim Williams of the City of Santa Fe Veterans Advisory Board also presented each recipient with a commemorative coin representing all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Linda Robinson, the New Mexico State Coordinator for Quilts of Valor, and Jean Callaghan, the Northern New Mexico Quilt Guild QOV Group Leader, headed the group of eight quilters attending the ceremony.

Callaghan said that New Mexico has seven participating QOV groups in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Silver City, Gallup, Roswell and Alamogordo.

Beginning in 2007, members of the guild have made and presented more than 600 quilts to New Mexico’s veterans.

Those wishing to recommend a veteran for a quilt or to support the program should visit www.nnmqg.org online or contact the guild at the address below.

Northern NM Quilt Guild
ATTN: QOV
P.O. Box 5015
Santa Fe, NM 87502-5015

The New Mexico Military Museum is located at 1050 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe. It is open free-of-charge to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For more information on leasing the museum’s auditorium for an event, call (505) 476-1479.

10/21/2026

The New Mexico National Guard recently touched down in Mauritius and Seychelles for an intensive, multi-day security cooperation exchange.

Under the , Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, Adjutant General of the New Mexico National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Pia Romero, Director of the Joint Staff, New Mexico National Guard, led a joint delegation to strengthen ties with our regional partners.

The is a vital security cooperation program that pairs National Guard states with partner nations to build trust, enhance disaster response capacity, and foster long-term professional relationships.

Key Stops on the Itinerary:
🏛️ Port-Louis: High-level strategic dialogues with the Mauritius Commissioner of Police and the Secretary to Cabinet to align civil-military priorities.
🚁 Plaisance: Aerial coordination tours with the Police Helicopter Squadron and the Maritime Air Squadron to share aviation safety and maritime surveillance best practices.
🛡️ Vacoas: A hands-on capabilities review and disaster response exchange with the Mauritian Special Mobile Force to enhance community resilience.
🏛️ Île Perseverance: Strategic dialogues with Seychelles Chief of Defence Forces to align future security cooperation.
⚓ Seychelles Coast Guard: A live Seychelles Defence Forces boarding demonstration showcasing tactical maritime interdiction and boarding capabilities.

By sharing expertise and conducting face-to-face exchanges, this visit reinforces our shared commitment to regional safety, joint readiness, and emergency response capabilities under the SPP framework.



The National Guard
U.S. Embassy Mauritius

10/20/2026

Congratulations on your retirement, Maj. Michael Walker! Thank you for your service.