National Guard Fact Sheet 

Army National Guard (FY2005) 

{posted on 3 May 2006} 

The Army National Guard (ARNG) is one of the seven reserve components of the United 

States armed forces. It is also the organized militia of 54 separate entities: the 50 states, 

the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 

and the District of Columbia. 

Administered by the National Guard Bureau (a joint bureau of the departments of the 

Army and Air Force), the ARNG has both a federal and state mission. The dual mission, 

a provision of the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Code of laws, results in each Soldier 

holding membership in both the National Guard of his or her state and in the U.S. Army 

or the U.S. Air Force. 

Contents 

This paper includes the following sections. Click on a section title to jump directly to the 

associated text. Click on │◄ to return to the table of contents. 

History and Constitutional Basis

Federal Mission

State Mission

Force Structure

Operational Support Airlift Agency

Full Time Support

Budget (Appropriated Funds)

Overseas Deployments

Deployment for Training and Operational Mission Support to the Combatant 

Commanders 

U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM)

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM)

U.S. European Command (USEUCOM)

U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM)

U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)

U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

State Partnership Program

Domestic Mission Support

Innovative Readiness Training

Family Assistance Centers

Closing

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History and Constitutional Basis 

The Army National Guard predates the founding of the nation and a standing national 

military by almost 150 years. America’s first permanent militia regiments, among the 

oldest still-serving units in the world, were organized by the Massachusetts Bay Colony 

in 1636. Since that time, the Guard has participated in every major conflict from the 

Pequot War of 1637 to Operation Iraqi Freedom today. 

Following its key role in securing our liberty during the Revolutionary War, the role of 

the militia (today’s National Guard) as a fundamental component of our national defense 

was validated in the Constitution by the founders. The language reads, in part: “The 

Congress shall have Power To ... provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws 

of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; To provide for organizing, 

arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be 

employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the 

Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the 

discipline prescribed by Congress.” 

In addition to this constitutional charter, a variety of statutes have been enacted over the 

years to better define the Guard’s role in our nation’s affairs. Detailed federal guidelines, 

both statutory and regulatory, govern the organization, funding, and operation of the 

National Guard. While federal regulations dictate much of the Guard’s organization and 

function, control of Guard personnel and units is divided between the states and the 

Federal Government. For example, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 

specifies the number of authorized National Guard personnel (the end strength). 

However, the states reserve the authority to station units and their headquarters, and 

federal officials may not change any branch, organization, or allotment located entirely 

within a state without the approval of the governor. 

Where the colonial period saw militia activities largely confined within the nation’s 

borders, later 19th century conflicts found the Guard contributing to the nation’s defense 

both at home and abroad. The first half of the 20th century witnessed the foundation of 

the modern Army National Guard, as Guard soldiers contributed greatly to the U.S. 

victory in both World Wars. The Guard remained the primary combat reserve of the 

Army in the years following the Second World War with participation in Korea, 

Vietnam, and in several other Cold War era mobilizations. In the 1980s, the Guard began 

regularly deploying overseas for training in Germany and Central America. In the 1990s, 

following a major mobilization for the Gulf War, Guard overseas deployments were no 

longer restricted to training, but were expanded to include operational deployments for 

peacekeeping and deterrence in Bosnia, Kosovo, the Sinai, and along Iraq’s northern and 

southern borders. Finally, the Guard’s role has expanded dramatically since 2001 both at 

home and abroad. At no time was the Guard’s flexibility and utility more apparent than 

during hurricane recovery operations in September 2005. With over 70,000 members of 

the ARNG on federal active duty (primarily serving in Iraq and Afghanistan), over 

42,000 Soldiers were mobilized to deploy to the Gulf Coast or support the Joint 

Operating Area (JOA) in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. 

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The Army National Guard of today and tomorrow fulfills a vital national defense role. 

Strategic planning integrates Guard units into crucial combat, combat support, and 

combat service support elements of our nation’s military forces. These elements provide 

a trained, capable, and cost-effective military force, able to provide rapid augmentation, 

reinforcement, and expansion in time of call-up or mobilization. The National Guard has 

emerged as a well-armed fighting force and an important component in the nation’s 

emergency preparedness network, the only DoD organization with this dual 

responsibility. 

Federal Mission 

The Army National Guard’s federal mission is to maintain well-trained, well-equipped 

units available for prompt mobilization during war and provide assistance during national 

emergencies (such as natural disasters or civil disturbances). The ARNG’s units (or any 

Reserve component forces) may be activated in a number of ways as prescribed by public 

law. Most of the laws for Federal Mission operations are in Title 10 of the U.S. Code. 

When serving under Title 10, “active duty” means full-time duty in the active military 

service of the United States. Title 10 allows the President to “federalize” National Guard 

forces by ordering them to active duty in their reserve component status or by calling 

them into Federal service in their militia status. This includes the following forms of 

active service: 

o Voluntary Order to Active Duty. With his or her consent and the consent of 

the Governor. 

o Partial Mobilization. In time of national emergency declared by the President 

for any unit or any member for not more than 24 consecutive months. 

o Presidential Reserve Call Up. When the President determines that it is 

necessary to augment the active forces for any operational mission for any 

unit or any member for not more than 270 days. 

o Federal Aid for State Governments. Whenever an insurrection occurs in any 

State against its government, the President may, upon the request of its 

legislature or of its governor call into Federal service such of the militia of the 

other States. This is a statutory exception to the Posse Comitatus Act. 

o Use of Militia and Armed Forces to Enforce Federal Authority. Whenever the 

President considers that unlawful obstructions, assemblages, or rebellion make 

it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State or 

Territory, he may call into Federal service such of the militia of any State. 

This is another statutory exception to Posse Comitatus. 

o Interference with State and Federal law. The President, by using the militia or 

the armed forces, or both, or by any other means, shall take such measures as 

he considers necessary to suppress, in a State, any insurrection, domestic 

violence, unlawful combination, or conspiracy. 

o Air and Army National Guard. Air and Army National Guard can specifically 

be called into Federal service in case of invasion, rebellion, or inability to 

execute Federal law with active forces. 

The National Guard Bureau (NGB), both a staff and operating agency, administers the 

federal functions of the Army National Guard (ARNG) and the Air National Guard 

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(ANG). As a staff agency, the NGB participates with the Army and Air staffs in 

developing and coordinating programs that directly affect the National Guard. As an 

operating agency, the NGB formulates and administers the programs for training, 

development, and maintenance of the ARNG and ANG and acts as the channel of 

communication between the Army, Air Force, and the 50 states, three territories, and the 

District of Columbia where National Guard units are located. 

State Mission 

When Army National Guard units are not under federal control, the governor is the 

commander-in-chief of his or her respective state, territory (Guam, Virgin Islands), or 

commonwealth (Puerto Rico). The President of the United States commands the District 

of Columbia National Guard, though this command is routinely delegated to the 

Commanding General of the DC National Guard. Each of the 54 National Guard 

organizations is supervised by the Adjutant General of the state or territory who also 

serves as the Director or Commanding General of the state military forces (in DC, only 

the Commanding General title is used). 

When serving under Title 32 Active Duty, Title 32 service is primarily state active duty. 

This includes the following forms of active service: 

o State Active Duty (SAD). The Governor can activate National Guard 

personnel to “State Active Duty” in response to natural or man-made disasters 

or Homeland Defense missions. State Active Duty is based on State statute 

and policy as well as State funds, and the Soldiers and Airmen remain under 

the command and control of the Governor. A key aspect of this duty status is 

that the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) does not apply. 

o Title 32 Full-Time National Guard Duty. “Full-time National Guard duty” 

means training or other duty, other than inactive duty, performed by a member 

of the National Guard. Title 32 allows the Governor, with the approval of the 

President or the Secretary of Defense, to order a member to duty for 

operational HLD activities IAW the United States Code (USC): 

The key to state active service is that Federal Law provides the Governor with the ability 

to place a soldier in a full-time duty status under the command and control of the State 

but directly funded with Federal dollars. Even though this duty status is authorized by 

Federal statute, this section is a statutory exception to the Posse Comitatus Act; the 

Governor may use the Guard in a law enforcement capacity; and the chain of command 

rests within the State. 

In the categories listed above, as well as on active duty for training (ADT) or inactive 

duty for training (IDT) orders, ARNG units or individuals may be mobilized for noncombat purposes such as the State Partnership Program, humanitarian missions, 

counterdrug operations, and peacekeeping or peace enforcement missions.

Under state law, the ARNG provides protection of life and property, and preserves peace, 

order, and public safety. These missions are accomplished through emergency relief 

support during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and forest fires; search and 

rescue operations; support to civil authorities; maintenance of vital public services; and 

counterdrug operations. The ARNG also adds value to local communities through 

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engineering projects provided under the Innovative Readiness Training program, and 

mentors at-risk youth through our Youth ChalleNGe program. 

Force Structure 

The 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR06) Report identifies the need for a military 

force that provides greater emphasis to the war on terror and irregular warfare activities, 

including long-duration unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, 

and military support for stabilization and reconstruction efforts. To meet these new 

challenges and threats, the Army is undergoing Modular Force Conversion, which will 

provide a more flexible, more capable, and more rapidly deployable force. 

During Modular Force Conversion, the Army is transforming from a division-based force 

to a more flexible brigade-centric force and is restructuring its organizations to create 

forces that are more stand-alone and alike (“modular”) while enhancing their fullspectrum capabilities. The ARNG Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) are structured and 

manned identically to those in the active Army and can be combined with other BCTs or 

elements of the joint force, facilitating integration, interoperability, and compatibility 

among all components. During the next three years, all ARNG divisional headquarters 

will convert to the new modular division design; all ARNG Guard separate and divisional 

brigades will convert to BCTs; and a number of other formations will convert to various 

modular supporting units by FY08. 

After the Total Army Analysis 2013 (TAA-13) process, the ARNG structure consists of 8 

Divisions, 34 BCTs (10 Heavy BCTs, 23 Infantry BCTs, and 1 Stryker BCT), 7 Fires 

Brigades, 10 Combat Support Brigades (Maneuver Enhancement), 9 Sustainment 

Brigades, 2 Battlefield Surveillance Brigades (BfSB), 8 Divisional Combat Aviation 

Brigades, 4 Theater Aviation Brigades, 1 Theater Aviation Group, and 31 functional 

brigades.

Operational Support Airlift Agency 

The Operational Support Airlift Agency exists as a unique organizational structure with a 

considerable network of geographically-dispersed, yet centrally-controlled, military 

aircraft that provide transportation for both personnel and cargo. This field operating 

agency manages the majority of the 170 Army fixed-wing aircraft for wartime 

requirements and routinely supports all government agencies while training for wartime 

readiness. In FY05, combat support to the warfight included transporting 

time-sensitive/mission-critical supplies and/or personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, 

Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, and the Horn of Africa. While supporting 

homeland security operations, fixed-wing aircraft transported much needed supplies and 

personnel throughout the Gulf Coast for relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and 

Rita. Both at home and abroad in FY05, these aircraft flew more than 50,000 hours, 

transported over 9.1 million pounds of cargo, and carried more than 66,000 passengers. 

The flight hours reflect an emphasis on cargo lift and demonstrate the critical role fixedwing cargo aircraft serve in warfighter and homeland security missions. 

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Full Time Support 

Fighting the Global War on Terrorism has underscored the vital role of Full-Time 

Support personnel in preparing Army National Guard units for a multitude of missions 

both at home and abroad. Full-Time Support is a critical component for achieving 

Soldier and unit-level readiness. Full-time Guard members are responsible for 

organizing, administering, instructing, training, and recruiting new personnel, as well as 

maintaining supplies, equipment, and aircraft. Full-Time Support personnel are key to 

successful transitions from peacetime to wartime, and are critical links to the integration 

of the Army’s components: Active, Guard, and Reserve. 

While some progress has been made in recent years to increase Full-Time Support 

manning levels in ARNG units, obstacles remain in obtaining acceptable Full-Time 

Support levels necessary to achieve unit readiness. During FY05, the ARNG was 

resourced at just 63% of its Full-Time Support requirements (53,278 authorized of 84,452 

required), the lowest resourcing level of any DOD reserve component. It is critical that 

Full-Time Support be increased in the near-term to a minimum of 90% of the total 

requirement (76,108) to improve unit readiness and support the dual missions of Global 

War on Terrorism and Homeland Security. 

Budget (Appropriated Funds) 

For FY05, the Budget Request was adjusted several times throughout the year in order to 

support federal and state missions. The initial request was for $10.4 billion which is $1.2 

billion less than the nearly $11.7 billion spent. To ensure the ARNG remains a viable 

force which is modular, tailorable, and capable of coming together in a number of force 

and capabilities packages, we required first and foremost a ready force, real-time and 

realistic individual and joint collective training, professional leadership development, and 

modernized equipment that is joint force compatible. The FY05 budget was able to fund 

statutory training; AGR end strength of 26,476; and military technician end strength of 

26,676. The National Guard Personnel Medical (NGPM) budget took a $385 million hit 

for cost avoidance in FY05. Without supplementals to resource transformation and 

natural disaster rescue/recovery and increased levels of mobilization (which decreased 

the demand for funding), the budget would not have been able to support required 

training and the AGR program. The FY05 budget request along with the supplemental 

increases provided sufficient resources to support an Army at war during transformation. 

Note: The 2006 budget figures given in the following paragraph are subject to change as 

FY06 is not complete at the time of this writing, and additional funds through 

reprogrammings, supplementals, and reductions may occur. 

The FY06 budget request supports peacetime operational levels and provides nearly $5.3 

billion in NGPA; $4.7 billion in Operation and Maintenance, Army National Guard 

(OMNG); and $892 million in Military Construction, Army National Guard (MCNG). 

The requested budget will support a military end-strength of 350,000, an AGR endstrength of 27,396, and a military technician end-strength of 27,163. FY06 numbers are 

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significantly lower than FY05 due to natural disaster and transformation supplementals 

received in last year’s budget. The FY06 budget does not adequately resource programs 

that train the force, incentive programs to attract and retain quality Soldiers, full-time 

support, installation support which constitutes our power projection platforms to train and 

mobilize the force, nor does it adequately support a robust recruiting and retention effort 

needed to address challenges to strength figures based on increased mobilizations and 

multiple deployments. A significant challenge in FY06 is Recruiting and Retention and 

achieving our stated end strength goal of 350,000. There are not enough funds in the 

base budget to support the emerging requirements in this area. FY06 will rely heavily on 

supplementals to offset unfinanced requirements. 

The FY07 budget request supports the minimum statutory requirements based on the 

expectation that an average of 40,000 ARNG Soldiers will remain mobilized and 

deployed during the fiscal year. Any decrease to this mobilization level will increase the 

demand for funding in the ARNG appropriations. The FY07 budget request includes 

$5.3 billion for National Guard Personnel, Army (NGPA); $4.8 billion for Operations 

and Maintenance, National Guard (OMNG); and $473 million for Military Construction, 

National Guard (MCNG). Given that expected mobilization levels continue throughout 

FY07, this request supports statutory requirements for a military end-strength of 333,000 

(down from the FY06 authorized level of 350,000); an AGR end-strength of 27,492; and 

a military technician end-strength of 27,128. The Army has committed to funding the 

ARNG’s end strength up to the level to which we can recruit – the Congressionally 

authorized level of 350,000. 

The following table shows the numbers for each of the fiscal years (dollars in millions): 

 FY05 FY06 FY07 

NG Personnel, Army $6,364 $5,286 $5,254 

Operation & Maintenance, NG $4,872 $4,709 $4,839 

Military Construction, NG $ 447 $ 892 $ 473

Total $11,683 $10,887 $10,566 

Source: FY07 President’s Budget, February 2006 

Overseas Deployments 

As of April 2006, over 39,000 Guardsmen were serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom 

(139,733 to date), 14,000 in Operation Enduring Freedom (37,700 to date), and 652 in 

Operation Noble Eagle. Since 9-11, over 248,000 Soldiers have been mobilized under 

USC Title 10 authority (federal orders) and over 337,000 under Title 10 or Title 32 

(federal and state orders). 

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Army National Guard personnel support numerous missions at home and around the 

world. Based on an Executive Order from President George W. Bush, Partial 

Mobilization has been invoked. This order provided the authority to mobilize any unit or 

any member of the Ready Reserve to Title 10 active duty for not more than 24 

consecutive months. Domestically, Guard members frequently answer the call for state 

operations such hurricane, fire fighting, and other local emergencies. 

Deployment for Training and Operational Mission Support to the 

Combatant Commanders 

The Army National Guard is an active participant in the Overseas Deployment Training 

(ODT) program. During FY05 more than 20,000 ARNG Soldiers participated in ODT 

related missions. ODT missions include support to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff 

(CJCS) exercises, Combatant Commander (COCOM) Theater Security Cooperation 

Program exchanges and exercises, and Overseas Mission Support (OMS). During ODT 

missions ARNG Soldiers and their leadership rehearsed critical tasks associated with 

deployment preparation, honed skills learned during formal training and combat 

rotations, and often had the opportunity to share those skills with members of armed 

forces from nations within supported COCOMs. 

When ARNG Soldiers participate in ODT missions they help COCOMs fulfill mission 

requirements and enhance communication between U.S. forces and the armed forces of 

nations with the COCOMs. This teamwork between the ARNG and COCOMs is a 

critical national defense tool used to enhance military-to-military communication. The 

following paragraphs provide brief descriptions of ARNG participation in ODT during 

FY05 organized by the COCOMs. 

U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) 

The Army National Guard provided forces to USCENTCOM for two major exercises in 

FY05. The largest CENTCOM exercise, Bright Star, a biannual multi-national event 

held in Egypt, was supported by 1,800 ARNG Soldiers from 18 states and was conducted 

over three rotations. The ARNG also provided 90 Soldiers from the 26th Infantry 

Brigade of the Massachusetts Army National Guard in support of another multi-national 

event, Regional Cooperation 05. 

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) 

The nation’s only Reserve Component Special Forces capability resides in the Army 

National Guard’s 19th and 20th Special Forces Groups (SFGs). The three battalions of the 

19th SFG and the three battalions of the 20th SFG each have a directed training affiliation 

with an Active Component Special Forces Group. As part of the Global War on 

Terrorism, the 19th and 20th SFGs both provided forces in support of operations in 

Afghanistan and Iraq. In spite of wartime mobilizations, increased operational tempo, 

and selected counterdrug missions in FY05, the 19th and 20th SFGs were able to 

participate in Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored exercises and joint combined exchange 

training opportunities. 

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U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) 

The ARNG supported USPACOM exercises and overseas mission support with more 

than 3,870 Soldiers in FY05. This support included Joint Chiefs of Staff exercises in 

Japan, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia. The ARNG executed 

numerous missions within the USPACOM area of responsibility. Other support included 

multiple linguist/translator missions, two maintenance rotations in Korea, and aviation 

support which was also in Korea. The ARNG provided 67,316 Soldier days of support to 

the U.S. Pacific Command in FY05. 

U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) 

The ARNG supported USEUCOM with more than 9,050 Soldiers in FY05. The 

predominance of ARNG support consisted of engineer troop construction projects, 

support to the 7th ATC at Grafenwoehr and Hohelfels, military police / force protection to 

USEUCOM Army post, and maintenance to the 21st Theater Support Command in 

support of the Global War on Terrorism. Major exercises included Morocco, Dakar, 

Bulgaria, Angola, Ukraine, Romania, and various other European locations. The ARNG 

provided 187,275 Soldier days of support to the U.S. European Command in FY05. 

U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) 

The ARNG supported USJFCOM in Exercise Blue Flag 05-01 and 05-02 with 15 

Soldiers in each event. Blue Flag is one of the largest computer-assisted, modeling, and 

simulation exercises in the world and is designed to train combat leaders and their 

support staffs in command, control, communications, and intelligence procedures in a 

variety of operational theaters. Military personnel from 10 countries, as well as the Gulf 

Cooperation Council and NATO, engaged in the exercise. Participant countries included 

the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the 

United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan. 

U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) 

The ARNG supported USNORTHCOM through participation in three major exercises in 

FY05. Approximately 500 ARNG Soldiers participated in Ardent Sentry 05; another 700 

Soldiers participated in Northern Edge 05, and 25 Soldiers supported Steadfast Provider 

05. Northern Edge is Alaska’s premier joint training exercise designed to practice 

operations, techniques, and procedures, and enhance interoperability among the services. 

Participants from all the services, Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Coast 

Guardsmen from Active Component, Reserve, and National Guard units participated. 

U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) 

The ARNG continued to play a key role in the successful execution of USSOUTHCOM’s 

mission to provide regional stability to Latin America. During FY05, more than 2,000 

ARNG Soldiers deployed to the region. The ARNG continued to support the Combatant 

Commander’s New Horizons Theater Engagement Exercises. In FY05, the Utah ARNG 

provided the lead for a multi-state, joint/combined task force that conducted a 

combination of engineer, medical, combat service, and combat service support training 

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and humanitarian aid missions in Nicaragua. The New Horizons series of exercises offer 

ARNG units experience in overseas deployments and training in austere environments 

while providing a benefit to the host nation to ensure regional stability. Other training 

deployments in the region focused on force protection/military police activities, theaterwide equipment maintenance support, explosive ordnance detachment support to range 

clearing operations, Spanish linguist support, medical readiness training exercises, small 

unit exchanges and special forces joint combined exercise training, and training for 

foreign soldiers. The ARNG provided 48,000 Soldier days in support of U.S. Southern 

Command during FY05. 

State Partnership Program 

The State Partnership Program partners U.S. states with foreign nations to promote and 

enhance bilateral relations. It supports Homeland Defense by nurturing dependable 

collaborative partners for coalition operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. 

The State Partnership Program reflects an evolving international affairs mission for the 

National Guard. It promotes regional stability and civil-military relationships in support of 

U.S. policy objectives. State partners actively participate in many and varied engagement 

activities including bilateral familiarization and training events, exercises, fellowship-style 

internships and civic leader visits. All activities are coordinated through the theater 

Combatant Commanders and the U.S. ambassadors’ country teams, and other agencies as 

appropriate, to ensure that National Guard support meets both U.S. and country objectives. In 

FY05 the National Guard has participated in over 425 events involving U.S. states and their 

foreign partners. 

Two new partnerships were formed-Rhode Island and the Bahamas and Ohio with Serbia and 

Montenegro. Nigeria has formally requested a partnership. Identification of a partner state is 

in progress. Several countries have initiated the formal process of requesting a partnership. 

The partner countries are looking for more hands on engagement events, unit exchanges, and 

exercises as well as working with their partner states during actual operations. A prime 

example is the liaison support given by Alaska to their partner state, Mongolia, when they 

deployed troops to Iraq. The National Guard seeks to satisfy this desire for deeper 

relationships while increasing the number of partnerships. 

Domestic Mission Support 

In addition to Guard deployments in support of federal missions, the Guard plays an 

extensive and highly visible domestic role. As part of its unique “dual-mission” 

responsibilities, the Guard routinely responds to domestic requirements within each state. 

Whenever disaster strikes or threatens, the National Guard represents the most significant 

asset governors can rapidly mobilize to provide protection, relief, and recovery. 

In late August 2005, as Hurricane Katrina headed toward the Gulf Coast, the Louisiana 

National Guard’s leadership declared a State of Emergency. The Louisiana leadership 

stood up a Joint Operations Center (JOC) and the Louisiana Governor activated the 

National Guard. Within 24 hours of Katrina becoming a Category 3 hurricane (winds up 

to 115 mph), Louisiana activated 2000 Soldiers and Airmen. Within 48 hours, Louisiana 

mobilized 4000 Soldiers and Airmen and deployed security and medical forces to the 

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Superdome. Based on existing Contingency Plans, Louisiana and the National Guard 

Bureau began Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) coordination with 

individual states, the New Orleans police department, Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA), and other agencies. Neighboring states of Mississippi, Florida, and 

Alabama braced for the impending storm. The Alabama Governor declared a state of 

emergency and state workers posted evacuation orders along the Mississippi coast. 

Meanwhile on Sunday, August 28 the hurricane grew to a Category 5 storm with winds 

up to 160 mph. 

As the storm raged through the last weekend in August, hopes were beginning to rise as 

the winds began to die down and the hurricane was downgraded to Category 4 (winds up 

to 145 mph). Incredibly, two levees broke in New Orleans on Monday, August 29, 

flooding the city and wreaking havoc throughout the area. Some of the destruction 

included destroying approximately 350,000 homes and displacing approximately 200,000 

evacuees to shelters. Shortly after Katrina cleared New Orleans, Army National Guard 

helicopters were already in the air over the mostly impassable flooded streets performing 

roof-top rescues and moving critical supplies and personnel as National Guard troops 

from all over the country began flowing into the flood zone. In a rapidly escalating 

mobilization (the largest stateside deployment in National Guard history), over 50,000 

Guard personnel (Army and Air) deployed to the impact zone. Thousands more provided 

coordination and logistical support from numerous locations. This mobilization was 

three times bigger than the previous largest-ever deployment for a domestic emergency, 

following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco. Unlike other devastating 

hurricanes such as Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Donna in 1960, Hurricane 

Katrina was compounded by a surge of wind and waves that breached the New Orleans 

levees causing massive flooding and unprecedented damage. 

Additionally in FY05, the Army National Guard provided support to civilian authorities 

responding to over 23,000 incidents within the United States. This response included 

providing relief from tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. 

Innovative Readiness Training 

Innovative Readiness Training continues to be one of the most valuable training 

opportunities the Army National Guard offers its Soldiers with incidental benefits to the 

communities. California’s Task Force Grizzly, Arizona’s Task Force Douglas, and New 

Mexico’s Task Force Lobo served as training platforms where Soldiers constructed 

fencing, built roads, and created drainage ditches which will help U.S. immigration 

officers to more effectively patrol the United States-Mexico border. In Alaska, as part of 

Operation Alaska Road, Soldiers continued engineering work on a 15-mile road on 

Annette Island that will connect the indigenous Metlakatla Indians with a port. In West 

Virginia, Task Force Benedum provided engineer training opportunities as it improved 

the Fixed Wing ARNG Aviation Training Site at Benedum Airport (including 

lengthening the runway from 5000 to 7000 feet). Other projects included medical care 

being provided to under-served American Indian populations; and in western states, 

roads, trails, bridges, and parking areas were built to support the Lewis and Clark Trail. 

More than 7,000 Soldiers from over half the states and territories participate annually in 

missions that integrate required training into community support projects.

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Family Assistance Centers 

In FY05, the ARNG continued to provide family assistance to military members and their 

dependents in the states and territories. As the Army’s lead agency for the establishment 

and execution of family assistance, the ARNG operated an average of 420 centers each 

month during FY05. 

The Family Assistance Centers support families of deployed Guard and Reserve service 

members as well as family members of geographically-dispersed Active Component 

families. Support is available throughout all phases of deployment: preparation (predeployment), and reunion (reintegration); and is critical to the long-term health and 

welfare of the family unit. The primary services provided by the Family Assistance 

Centers are information, referral, outreach, and follow-up to ensure a satisfactory result. 

The ARNG estimates a continued requirement for 420 centers in FY06. 

Closing 

As the Army National Guard continues to support the warfight and safeguard the 

homeland, leaders and citizens alike can be assured that the Guard remains committed to 

and fully capable of its land and air challenges. 

“No mastery of command can substitute for an intelligent comprehension of the 

economic goals, the political impulses, and the spiritual aspirations that move tens of 

millions of people.” 

Dwight D. Eisenhower 

Point of Contact for this action is COL John D. Renaud, (703) 607-9127, Army National 

Guard, G5, Chief, Strategic Plans and Policy. 

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