Nevada National Guard

05/29/2026

🏃More than 50 Nevada Army National Guard Soldiers are participating in the 2026 Reno-Tahoe Odyssey, a 178-mile relay race that takes teams around Lake Tahoe and through communities across Northern Nevada.

As a sponsor of this year’s event, the Nevada Army National Guard is proud to support a race that brings together hundreds of runners from across the region while highlighting the importance of teamwork, endurance and perseverance.

Over the course of two days, teams of runners will take turns completing race segments before passing the baton to the next teammate, working together to reach the finish line. For participating Guardsmen, the event offers an opportunity to build camaraderie, challenge themselves physically and represent their communities outside of uniform.

Wish them luck! They’re currently in the thick of it and have been running since 6 a.m. this morning 💨 stay tuned for how they do.

05/29/2026

The Reno-Tahoe Odyssey kicked off early this morning as teams from across across the Silver State began their journey in downtown Reno in one of the area’s most challenging relay races.

Among the hundreds of runners are more than 50 Nevada Army National Guard Soldiers who will spend the next two days running around the Reno-Tahoe region, supporting teammates and pushing through the miles together. As a proud sponsor of this year’s event, the Nevada Army National Guard is honored to be part of an event that showcases endurance, teamwork and perseverance.

Good luck to all of the runners taking on the challenge ahead! We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!

05/28/2026

The Nevada National Guard mourns the loss of Detective Thomas Lopey with the Reno Police Department. He was a dedicated public servant who devoted his life to serving his country, his community, and his fellow officers.

Before serving nearly 13 years with the Reno Police Department, Lopey served in the United States Army and the Nevada Army National Guard. He joined the Army in 2008 as an 11C indirect fire infantryman and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2009 to 2010. Following his active-duty service, he continued serving his state and nation in the Nevada Army National Guard as a 12B combat engineer until 2017. He completed over eight years of honorable military service and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant.

During his military career, Lopey received several awards and badges, such as the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Expert Infantryman Badge. These honors show his professionalism, leadership, and dedication to his duties.

We offer our deepest condolences to Detective Lopey’s wife, daughter, friends, fellow officers and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. His legacy of service and sacrifice will always be remembered.

The City of Reno and Reno Police Department are mourning the loss of Detective Thomas Lopey, a dedicated public servant whose career was defined by service to his country, his community, and his fellow officers. Detective Lopey served the residents of Reno with distinction for nearly 13 years, leaving a lasting impact on the department and the community he swore to protect.

“Tom was the kind of police officer every department hopes to have, and every officer is fortunate to work beside,” said Reno Police Chief Corey Solferino. “I had the privilege of knowing and working with him throughout much of my career. He was a dedicated detective, a respected leader and, most importantly, a genuinely good man who cared deeply about his family, his fellow officers and the community he served. His loss is felt throughout our department, and his legacy will continue through the countless lives he impacted.”

Detective Lopey proudly served his country in the United States Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom before continuing his service in the National Guard as a combat engineer. He later dedicated his life to law enforcement, serving first with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office before joining the Reno Police Department, where he faithfully served the Reno community for nearly 13 years.

During his career with the Reno Police Department, Detective Lopey served as a Patrol Training Officer, Regional Gang Unit detective, SWAT Team member, and President of the Reno Police Protective Association. He was respected throughout the department for his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to serving others.

Detective Lopey is survived by his wife and daughter.
The City of Reno and Reno Police Department ask the community to keep Detective Lopey’s family, friends, and colleagues in their thoughts during this difficult time.

05/26/2026

ICYMI: Retired Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel A. Dailey visited Nevada National Guard leaders this week, speaking with Airmen from the 152nd Airlift Wing before heading to the Office of the Adjutant General in Carson City to share lessons on combat-proven leadership, resilience and the importance of leading from the front.

Drawing from decades of military experience, Dailey emphasized accountability, teamwork and the responsibility leaders have to develop and care for their people in challenging environments.

Dailey also shared his 10 “commandments” for leaders:

1. “Yelling doesn’t make you skinny… physical fitness training does.”
“If your absence doesn’t affect them, your presence never mattered!”

2. “If you’re not nervous on the first day of school, then you’re either not telling the truth, you don’t care or… you’re just plain stupid.”

3. “If you find yourself having to remind everyone all the time that you’re in charge… you’re probably not.”

4. “I can accept failure… what I can’t tolerate is quitting.”

5. “If your only justification for your continued existence as a leader is your 30 years of experience… then it might be time to do something else.”

6. “Be more informed and… less emotional.”

7. “Be positive, and if you can’t… go home!”

8. “Never forget to take the distinct opportunity to… keep your mouth shut.”

9. “Leadership truly does make the difference.”

10. “I am just a Soldier (Airman), no better or worse than any other, just a Soldier, and that is enough.”

05/25/2026

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

May we always live worthy of their sacrifice, honor their memory, and never forget the brave Americans who paid the ultimate price.

05/24/2026

After 43 years in Army aviation, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Daniel Walters took to the skies in a military aircraft for the final time this week.

Walters began his Nevada Army National Guard career in 1984 as a cavalry scout before attending Army flight school in 1986, a decision he said became the best choice of his life. Over four decades, he flew the UH-1 Huey, CH-54 Skycrane, CH-47 Chinook and UH-72A Lakota while serving in key aviation safety and standardization leadership roles across the Nevada National Guard and National Guard Bureau.

For his final flight, Walters flew over several locations meaningful to his life and career, including Truckee, Lake Tahoe, Genoa and Carson City before returning to Reno-Stead Airport for his final landing.

By the conclusion of his career, Walters logged more than 5,200 flight hours, including over 970 combat hours supporting missions around the world.

“The hardest part was landing,” Walters said. “I’m ready to retire. I’m just not ready to stop flying.”

Check out the full story at the link in our comments 👇🏽

05/22/2026

“Trainees who eventually make it through Ranger School, said Staff Sgt. Garrett Streeks, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Ranger Team Leader Initiative (RTLI), are sent to the Basic Airborne Course for jump training as the RTLI staff looks for other courses they might attend, based mostly on scheduling. In Nevada Army Guardsman Pfc. Mace Veit’s case, his training happened to line up perfectly to run through all four advanced schools with almost no break — a non-stop gauntlet that, Streeks said, even top performers are often not ready for.”

At 19 years old, Army Pfc. Mace Veit completed four of the Army's most challenging training schools in a single year.

05/21/2026

The Nevada Division of Forestry presented the Nevada National Guard’s 2/238th Wolf Pack and 1/189th Mustang units with a plaque recognizing the Guard’s support during the 2025 wildfire season during a statewide fire season briefing with Gov. Joe Lombardo and interagency leaders ahead of the 2026 fire season.

The recognition specifically highlighted the mobilization and commitment of the Wolf Pack and Mustang units, whose personnel provided critical suppression and logistical support that directly aided wildfire containment efforts across Northern Nevada.

During the meeting, the Nevada National Guard’s Director of the Joint Staff, Col. Kyle Cerfoglio, briefed the Governor on the Guard’s wildfire response capabilities and readiness heading into the 2026 season. The briefing included the Guard’s ground and aviation support assets, interagency coordination efforts and continued partnership with the Nevada Division of Forestry.

The Nevada National Guard regularly supports wildfire operations through aviation assets, trained wildland firefighters and emergency response personnel, reinforcing the state’s ability to respond to large-scale fires and protect communities across Nevada.

05/20/2026

Capt. Courtney McKimmey, commander, Alpha Company, Recruit Sustainment Company, Nevada Army National Guard, was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year at the Girls on the Run - Sierras annual breakfast fundraiser in South Reno today.

“I volunteer with Girls on the Runs Sierras because I believe that empowering young girls today builds the bold leaders of tomorrow,” said McKimmey, who has volunteered for Girls on the Run since 2021. “As a coach, I have the privilege of watching participants discover their strength, push through self-doubt, and find community among their teammates. Girls on the Run Sierras cultivates a level of resilience that will carry these young women far beyond any finish line.”

"Courtney is a wonderful person," Girls on the Run Executive Director Joy Heuer said. "She brings a likability to her volunteer work that helps people open up to her."

Girls on the Run inspires individuals of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. At the end of the season, the team completes a Community Impact Project and a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.

Congrats on this recognition, Capt. McKimmey!

05/16/2026

Happy Armed Forces Day from the Silver State 🫡

The Nevada National Guard proudly took part in the Armed Forces Day Parade in Hawthorne, Nevada, with Soldiers from the 609th Engineer Company representing the force alongside cadets from the Battle Born Youth ChalleNGe Academy.

The cadets marched through the streets of Hawthorne with outstanding discipline, professionalism and pride, reflecting the values and future of military service in Nevada. Events like this strengthen the connection between service members and the communities they serve while showcasing the next generation of leaders.

Nevada National Guard Director of the Joint Staff Col. Kyle Cerfoglio and his wife, Amber, joined Nevada National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer 5 Casey Akins and other military leaders in observing the parade and honoring those who continue to serve their communities and country.

Thank you to the Hawthorne community for supporting this year’s Armed Forces Day celebration!