Utah Army National Guard

The Utah National Guard comprises both Army and Air National Guard components. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. The National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function in a state status. The Utah Army National Guard maintains 30 armories in 27 communities. The Utah Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau. History The Utah Army National Guard can trace its origins as far back as 1849. In 1847, as Mormon settlers began arriving in what become known as Utah, it was realized that some sort of militia would be needed to protect the new settlements. The core of this new militia were former members of the Nauvoo Legion, which was formed in Nauvoo, Illinois, around 1840. For a number of years members of the Utah-based militia could be seen wearing elements of the old Nauvoo Legion uniforms. This new Utah based militia would also be referred to as the Nauvoo Legion. Some of the Utah-based Nauvoo Legion would carry lances, giving them a unique look when on horseback. Members of the Mormon Battalion, after finally arriving in Utah after the end of the Mexican–American War, would also join the new Nauvoo Legion. The Nauvoo Legion would have been involved in the stillborn conflict between Mormons and Federal forces sent to Utah in the late 1850s. After it was apparent no major hostilities would break out, a somewhat more conciliatory relationship developed between Federal troops and the Legion. In 1857 Nauvoo Legion members in Iron County participated in the murder of 120 immigrants moving through Utah to California. This event is known as the Mountain Meadows massacre. The Utah-based Nauvoo Legion participated in numerous efforts to quell problems with Indians, and also did certain protective duties in Utah during the Civil War. As non-Mormon settlers and U.S. Government officials began to grow in numbers, it was perceived that the Nauvoo Legion was loyal mainly to the LDS church and Brigham Young, and not to the Utah territorial government. This perception was more acute after Brigham Young was removed as the territorial governor and a non-Mormon replaced him. The Utah militia was disbanded around 1887, and for a time a more direct control over any military matters was maintained directly by the Federal government. In 1894 the Utah National Guard was created, and since that time has operated in a purely secular manner. The Militia Act of 1903 organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system. See History of the United States National Guard for a more complete history of the guard at a national level. On January 19, 2021, the Utah National Guard, in cooperation with the Utah Department of Health, administered COVID-19 vaccinations to Guard members and the civilian population. A team of Utah National Guard soldiers and Airmen administered vaccines to civilians that are 70 years or older in Utah County. Captain Jeremy Metzger said they administered 1,400 vaccines at one of their locations. The Utah Army National Guard was previously led by adjutant general Michael Turley. In 2023, Turley was recently placed on leave while under investigation for having an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate soldier. On August 21, 2023, Governor Cox appointed Brig. Gen. Daniel Boyack as the new adjutant general of the Utah National Guard. Since 2023, the Utah Army National Guard has undertakes a series a series of initiatives to modernize its capabilities and expand its force structure. These have included participation in joint preparedness exercises, cybersecurity and homeland defense training and updates to medical and leadership development programs. the unit's aviation capabilities were expanded with the addition of new AH-64 Apache helicopters. In addition the guard announced the formation of a new battalion, adding more than 700 soldiers and intended to support both state emergency response and federal defense missions. Previously active units of the Utah ARNG have included: 115th Engineer Battalion 140th Field Artillery Regiment 145th Field Artillery Regiment 222nd Field Artillery Regiment Units in June 2026 As of February 2026 the Utah Army National Guard consists of the following units: Aviation unit abbreviations: CAC — Command Aviation Company; MEDEVAC — Medical evacuation; AVUM — Aviation Unit Maintenance; AVIM — Aviation Intermediate Maintenance; ATS — Air Traffic Service See also Utah State Defense Force Militia 36th Combat Aviation Brigade—approx. 40 Utah ARNG soldiers deployed to Iraq with the 36th CAB in Sep 2006. Transformation of the Army National Guard References External links Utah National Guard's Official Homepage GlobalSecurity.org Utah Army National Guard, accessed 28 Nov 2006 Unit Designations in the Army Modular Force, accessed 23 Nov 2006