The United States Army
01/26/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/26/2026 23:17
National Guard members respond to winter weather in 15 states
[Link] 1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Maryland Army National Guard Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Battalion and paramedics from Old Town Fire Station push an ambulance out of the snow in Baltimore, MD, January 25, 2026. At the direction of Governor Wes Moore, approximately 160 personnel of the Maryland National Guard were activated to support civil authorities with specialized vehicles across the state to ensure rapid response capabilities for communities that may require assistance during inclement weather conditions. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Lindiwe Henry) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Indiana National Guard Spc. Koby Estrada, Indiana National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 1 James McCutchen and Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Robert Cook assisted a motorist stuck in the snow in Whiteland, Indiana, near Exit 95 on Interstate 74, Jan. 25, 2026. The soldiers are assigned to the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade and were activated in support of Operation Southern Snow. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Kadan Burris) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Maryland Army National Guard Cadet Deandre Wright, Hotel Company, 128th Brigade Support Battalion, shovels snow to make way for civilians' cars in Baltimore, MD, January 26, 2026. At the direction of Governor Wes Moore, approximately 160 personnel of the Maryland National Guard were activated to support civil authorities with specialized vehicles across the state to ensure rapid response capabilities for communities that may require assistance during inclement weather conditions. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Lindiwe Henry) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Georgia State Defense Force (GSDF) personnel remove debris from a residential area during Winter Storm Fern in White County, Georgia, Jan. 26, 2026. The Georgia Department of Defense plays an integral role in declared emergencies by providing a versatile, ready force capable of responding to natural and man-made disasters across the United States. The Georgia Department of Defense is trained and equipped to ensure rapid, coordinated and effective support is available to civil authorities on short notice. (Photo Credit: Sgt. 1st Class Jeron Walker) VIEW ORIGINAL
ARLINGTON, Va. - More than 5,400 National Guard members are on duty in 15 states in the aftermath of winter storms that dropped snow and ice from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and the South over the weekend.
"[I'm] proud of our incredible National Guardsmen who are stepping up once again," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, in a post shared on his official social media account prior to the storm. "To everyone in the storm's path: take all precautionary measures to stay safe. The National Guard is Always Ready, Always There."
Arkansas National Guard Soldiers have been driving along icy roadways alongside state police officers, assisting motorists who slid off the road and using military vehicles to recover disabled vehicles.
North Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers performed similar missions.
"We used our high-mobility vehicles to pull those individuals back onto the road and get them on their way," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ellis Parks, with the North Carolina National Guard.
Guard members have also been assisting with traffic management, performing health and welfare checks, and transporting local first responders and emergency personnel as they respond to calls for assistance.
In Delaware, that meant more than 100 Guard members on duty with vehicles positioned throughout the state, and in Kentucky, more than 2,000 Guard members were activated to respond to icy and snowy conditions.
In Maryland and other affected areas, Guard members began staging vehicles, equipment, and other resources in the days before the storm.
"The safety and well-being of Maryland residents is our top priority," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Craig Hunter, director of the Maryland National Guard Joint Staff. "By preparing our personnel and equipment before the winter storm, we can respond immediately to requests for assistance from local jurisdictions and help ensure our communities remain safe during this weather."
Guard officials said that Soldiers and Airmen will remain on duty helping communities recover from severe winter weather as long as they are needed.
In total, National Guard units from 15 states were activated in response to Winter Storm Fern, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
Guard members in six additional states are on alert to support state and local officials if needed.
The United States Army published this content on January 26, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 27, 2026 at 05:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]