Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 West Coast states appeal for National Guard Stryker brigade By Courtesy Story
 SACRAMENTO - The governors and National Guard leaders from California, Oregon and Washington this week sent a letter to national defense leaders, urging them to convert the Army National Guard's 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team, with units in Washington and California, to a Stryker armored vehicle brigade. Replacing the unit"s tanks with Stryker vehicles would provide the states" National Guard forces with highly advanced, flexible vehicles suited for deployment during state and regional emergencies. "As a community-based force, responding to emergencies at home is at the core of the National Guard mission," said Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, adjutant general for the California National Guard. "Transitioning to a Stryker brigade would empower us to respond more effectively during domestic emergencies, both natural and man-made." As soldiers return from combat tours overseas, the Department of Defense (DoD) is also bringing home vehicles and equipment that have yet to be assigned to military installations. In their letter, the governors and adjutants general emphasized that assigning returning Strykers to the National Guard would eliminate the need for the active duty Army to store and maintain the vehicles as well as provide for easier access for homeland defense and overseas wartime missions - all at a lower cost to taxpayers. A recent two-year DoD report to Congress stressed the remarkable cost-effectiveness in utilizing the National Guard and Reserves as opposed to their active duty counterparts in carrying out national security operations. "The 81st currently uses old tanks that are too heavy to use on our roads during emergencies," said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. "By converting the 81st to a Stryker brigade, and supplying this unit with newer, more modern equipment, we achieve a double win. Our National Guards would have an enhanced ability to respond to local and regional emergencies like floods, fires and earthquakes. Additionally, a conversion would position this equipment closer to the Asia-Pacific Region, where the U.S. military is placing a heavier focus." At present, there is only one Stryker brigade in the National Guard, located in Pennsylvania. Converting the 81st to a Stryker mission would allow for close alignment with the Stryker Brigade Center of Excellence at Washington"s Joint Base Lewis-McChord, California"s National Training Center at Fort Irwin and Oregon's Umatilla/Boardman Training Complex.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 In Thailand, Hokanson Sees Enduring Partners in Name and Practice
 By Sgt. 1st Class Zach Sheely,
  Pennsylvania Guard Military Police Deploying to Guantanamo Bay
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  National Guard Officer Candidates Train with Albanian Partners
 By Capt. Kenneth Meisner,
  More
 New York, Connecticut Soldiers are Regional Best Warriors5/20/2024Connecticut Guard Deploys Cloud-Based Radar/Radio Connection5/17/2024New York Air Guard Transports Special Operations Forces5/15/2024 View more Guard News »
 Pennsylvania Guard Military Police Deploying to Guantanamo Bay5/21/2024
Maryland Air Guard Participates in Desert Flag 20245/17/2024
Georgia Army Guard Joins DEFENDER 24 Exercise in Sweden5/8/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 In Thailand, Hokanson Sees Enduring Partners in Name and Practice5/21/2024

National Guard Officer Candidates Train with Albanian Partners5/21/2024

New Hampshire Guard Welcomes Cabo Verde State Partners5/17/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil