Louisiana National Guard The Louisiana National Guard consists of the Louisiana Army National Guard , a reserve component of the United States Army , and the Louisiana Air National Guard , a reserve component of the United States Air Force , under the United States Department of Defense . The guard is directed by an adjutant general appointed by the Governor of Louisiana . Unless federalized by order of the President of the United States , which places members on active US military duty status , the Louisiana National Guard is under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Military Department . The National Guard has both active and inactive ( reserve ) members as well as full and part - time members . Part - time Guard members are referred to as ' weekend Warriors ' both by the military and civilians . State service . The Governor may call individuals or units of the Louisiana National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend themselves to use of the National Guard . The state mission assigned to the National Guard is : " To provide trained and disciplined forces for domestic emergencies or as otherwise provided by state law . " Federal service . When National Guard troops are called to federal service , the President serves as Commander - in - Chief . The federal mission assigned to the National Guard is : " To provide properly trained and equipped units for prompt mobilization for war , National emergency or as otherwise needed . " History . The National Guard traces its beginning to 1636 and the militia of the colonies . In 2011 the National Guard celebrated 375 years of service . The Militia Act of 1903 organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system . From 1968 to 1972 in the second term of Governor John J . McKeithen , the adjutant general was David Wade , then a retired Lieutenant General in the United States Air Force , who had commanded Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City from 1963 to 1966 . Components . Louisiana Army National Guard . The Louisiana Army National Guard has 9 , 500 members stationed at 67 armories in 63 communities throughout Louisiana , reporting to the Joint Force Headquarters . Louisiana Air National Guard . The 159th Fighter Wing is the main component of the Louisiana Air National Guard . Stationed at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans , in Belle Chasse Louisiana the wing is nicknamed the " Bayou Militia " . If Federalized the wing becomes part of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . The wing was founded in 1941 , on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain as one of 29 original National Guard wings in the United States , but was moved to the current location in 1957 . State Guard . In addition , the Louisiana State Guard ( LSG ) is an all - volunteer militia force under the Louisiana Military Department that provides reserve personnel to both the Louisiana Army National Guard and the Louisiana Air National Guard . It is under state jurisdiction and its members are employed only within the State of Louisiana . It is not subject to be called , ordered or assigned as any element of the federal armed forces . It ' s mission is to provide units organized , equipped and trained in the protection of life or property and the preservation of peace , order and public safety under competent orders of State authorities .