America's oldest fighting force just turned 383 — check out these impressive photos of the National Guard battling fires, hurricanes, and more

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 recent years show the Guard in action dealing with fires, hurricanes, volcanoes, and more.

New York National Guard soldiers from Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, clear a M777 Howitzer, at Fort Drum, Watertown, New York on May 22, 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

N.Y. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Andrew Valenza

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), a C-130 Hercules modified for fire-fighting purposes, releases fire retardant over Shasta County, California, during the Carr Fire in early August 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

California National Guard

Battery B, 2d Battalion 114th Field Artillery Regiment (Mississippi National Guard) hone their gunnery skills as they conduct table XVIII near Dona Ana, New Mexico on April 28, 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Brittany Johnson

Crews with the Florida National Guards CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package and Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force 8 search door to door after Hurricane Michael to make sure residents in the area are safe and facilitate any urgent needs they might have.

BusinessInsider USA Images

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Ryan White

Firefighters battle a blaze during live burn training at the Anthony "Tony" Canale Training Center in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey on Sept. 18, 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Matt Hecht

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, one of the largest storms to hit the Carolinas in years, National Guardsmen transported more than 300 cots and 800 blankets to eight different shelters across Fayetteville, North Carolina.

BusinessInsider USA Images

North Carolina National Guard

Florida National Guard members deliver various life-saving supplies to affected communities following Hurricane Michael.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Florida National Guard

An M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System with 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard shoots its 105mm cannon during a live-fire exercise, part of the squadrons annual training, on July 26, 2018 at Orchard Combat Training Center near Boise, Idaho.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Oregon Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Zachary Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs

Lightning flashes during the North Carolina National Guards 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT)s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Photo Composite by SSG Brendan Stephens, NC National Guard Public Affairs

An Idaho Army National Guard sniper, from the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team, practices his skills during the platoons two-week annual training at the Orchard Combat Training Center on June 8, 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

U.S. National Guard photo by Edwin Wriston

Members of the Hawaii National Guard monitor the flow of lava as it nears a geothermal power plant early Tuesday morning, May 22, 2018.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Photo courtesy of the State of Hawaii, Dept. of Defense

America's oldest fighting force just turned 383 — check out these impressive photos of the National Guard battling fires, hurricanes, and more

Recommended articles

New York National Guard soldiers from Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, clear a M777 Howitzer, at Fort Drum, Watertown, New York on May 22, 2018.

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), a C-130 Hercules modified for fire-fighting purposes, releases fire retardant over Shasta County, California, during the Carr Fire in early August 2018.

Battery B, 2d Battalion 114th Field Artillery Regiment (Mississippi National Guard) hone their gunnery skills as they conduct table XVIII near Dona Ana, New Mexico on April 28, 2018.

Crews with the Florida National Guards CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package and Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force 8 search door to door after Hurricane Michael to make sure residents in the area are safe and facilitate any urgent needs they might have.

Firefighters battle a blaze during live burn training at the Anthony "Tony" Canale Training Center in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey on Sept. 18, 2018.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, one of the largest storms to hit the Carolinas in years, National Guardsmen transported more than 300 cots and 800 blankets to eight different shelters across Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Florida National Guard members deliver various life-saving supplies to affected communities following Hurricane Michael.

An M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System with 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard shoots its 105mm cannon during a live-fire exercise, part of the squadrons annual training, on July 26, 2018 at Orchard Combat Training Center near Boise, Idaho.

Lightning flashes during the North Carolina National Guards 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT)s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise.

An Idaho Army National Guard sniper, from the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team, practices his skills during the platoons two-week annual training at the Orchard Combat Training Center on June 8, 2018.

Members of the Hawaii National Guard monitor the flow of lava as it nears a geothermal power plant early Tuesday morning, May 22, 2018.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

Africa's gaming gold rush: Unveiling the surge in online gambling

Seven African countries added to Meta's AI service coverage

10 African countries with the lowest inflation rates in 2024

Davido launches his label Nine+ in partnership with UnitedMasters

Nigeria's economic ranking drops to fourth in Africa

Moscow inaugurates its House of Africa

The CBN justifies $2b billion loss in forex, dispelling Naira defense claims

10 best airports in Africa in 2024

10 most expensive cities in Africa in 2024

America's oldest fighting force just turned 383 — check out these impressive photos of the National Guard battling fires, hurricanes, and more

Recommended articles

New York National Guard soldiers from Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery, clear a M777 Howitzer, at Fort Drum, Watertown, New York on May 22, 2018.

A Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), a C-130 Hercules modified for fire-fighting purposes, releases fire retardant over Shasta County, California, during the Carr Fire in early August 2018.

Battery B, 2d Battalion 114th Field Artillery Regiment (Mississippi National Guard) hone their gunnery skills as they conduct table XVIII near Dona Ana, New Mexico on April 28, 2018.

Crews with the Florida National Guards CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package and Urban Search and Rescue Florida Task Force 8 search door to door after Hurricane Michael to make sure residents in the area are safe and facilitate any urgent needs they might have.

Firefighters battle a blaze during live burn training at the Anthony "Tony" Canale Training Center in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey on Sept. 18, 2018.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, one of the largest storms to hit the Carolinas in years, National Guardsmen transported more than 300 cots and 800 blankets to eight different shelters across Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Florida National Guard members deliver various life-saving supplies to affected communities following Hurricane Michael.

An M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System with 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard shoots its 105mm cannon during a live-fire exercise, part of the squadrons annual training, on July 26, 2018 at Orchard Combat Training Center near Boise, Idaho.

Lightning flashes during the North Carolina National Guards 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT)s eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise.

An Idaho Army National Guard sniper, from the 116th Calvary Brigade Combat Team, practices his skills during the platoons two-week annual training at the Orchard Combat Training Center on June 8, 2018.

Members of the Hawaii National Guard monitor the flow of lava as it nears a geothermal power plant early Tuesday morning, May 22, 2018.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

Africa's gaming gold rush: Unveiling the surge in online gambling

Seven African countries added to Meta's AI service coverage

10 African countries with the lowest inflation rates in 2024

Davido launches his label Nine+ in partnership with UnitedMasters

Nigeria's economic ranking drops to fourth in Africa

Moscow inaugurates its House of Africa

The CBN justifies $2b billion loss in forex, dispelling Naira defense claims

10 best airports in Africa in 2024

10 most expensive cities in Africa in 2024

Trending

Donald Trump claims he'll testify in hush money trial. We've heard that before.

Meet Jack Schlossberg, John F. Kennedy's 31-year-old grandson who was rumored to be dating Selena Gomez

Boomers are hanging on to large homes, boxing out millennials with growing families. That could hurt Biden in the election.

Hush-money judge bans 'salacious' testimony that Melania was pregnant when Trump began alleged affair with Playboy model