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101-846: As state militia units , the units in the Maryland Air National Guard are not actively in the United States Air Force chain of command until federalized. They are under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Maryland through the office of the Maryland Adjutant General unless they are federalized by order of the President of the United States . The Maryland Air National Guard is headquartered in Baltimore , and its commander

202-585: A Cal Fire interagency training program alongside their National Guard counterparts. In the Texas State Guard , there are minimal requirements for general accession, but joining specialized teams like the Dive, Rescue, and Recovery (DR&R) Team requires physical fitness testing and completion of the Texas Dive School. Officer Candidate Schools are also maintained by the active State Defense Forces of

303-498: A JAG Academy an Engineer Specialty Qualification Badge, and plans for a Medical Academy in the future. Individual states have made efforts to increase their capabilities to be prepared to take on future missions. In March 2017, the California State Military Reserve activated its Maritime Component to lead and assist in future homeland security missions while working in conjunction with other agencies, including

404-583: A call-up of the Texas State Guard to monitor the exercises and facilitate communication between US special operations forces conducting training and the governor's office. In early 2020, a number of state defense forces were activated to combat the COVID-19 pandemic . As of April 2020, the Alaska State Defense Force , the California State Guard , the Governor's Guards of Connecticut ,

505-529: A dual enlistment/commission and thus enter both the state National Guard and the newly created National Guard of the United States, a federal reserve force. In 1940, with the onset of World War II and as a result of its federalizing the National Guard, Congress amended the National Defense Act of 1916 , and authorized the states to maintain "military forces other than National Guard." In 1950, with

606-513: A new mission and was redesignated the 135th Tactical Airlift Group and equipped with the de Havilland C-7A Caribou . In 1980, the unit converted to the C-130 Hercules aircraft. The 175th Tactical Fighter Group also changed aircraft to meet the evolving needs of the Air Force. In 1970, the 175th turned in its F-86s and received A-37 Dragonflies in their place. Nine years later, in 1979, the unit

707-491: A separate group of the 175th Wing, it dedicated its first C-130J, the latest and most advanced version of the venerable transport. The 135th had played a major role in the test and evaluation of the aircraft and its procedures and was the first fully equipped C-130J unit in the U.S. Air Force. In February 2000 the 135th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (135th EAS) was first formed from 135th personnel and aircraft and deployed to Lambarene Airport, Gabon, for exercise "Gabon 2000" with

808-524: A state government. State defense forces are authorized by state and federal law and are under the command of the governor of each state. State defense forces are distinct from their state's National Guard in that they cannot become federal entities. All state National Guard personnel (to include the National Guard of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the territories of Guam and

909-613: A subdued "CA" beneath the rank insignia. A similar pattern can be found in the New York Guard. The Georgia State Defense Force often works in tandem with and support of federal troops. The Georgia State Defense Force wears the OCP pattern of the ACU with a unique Georgia SDF red flash on the U.S. Army's black beret and "Georgia" in place of the "U.S. Army" uniform name tape. The Tennessee State Guard and Alabama State Defense Force can wear either BDUs or

1010-700: Is Brigadier General Drew Dougherty. Under the "Total Force" concept, Maryland Air National Guard units are considered to be Air Reserve Components (ARC) of the United States Air Force (USAF). Maryland ANG units are trained and equipped by the Air Force and are operationally gained by a Major Command of the USAF if federalized. In addition, the Maryland Air National Guard forces are assigned to Air Expeditionary Forces and are subject to deployment tasking orders along with their active duty and Air Force Reserve counterparts in their assigned cycle deployment window. Along with their federal reserve obligations, as state militia units

1111-778: Is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force , allotted to the Maryland Air National Guard . At the time of its inactivation, it was assigned to the 175th Wing , stationed at Warfield Air National Guard Base , Middle River, Maryland. The unit cased its colors 27 Sep 2013 and was inactivated 30 Sep 2013. The 135th Airlift Group mission was to maintain combat-ready aircrew and aircraft to mobilize, deploy and provide intra-theater airlift in support of U.S. interests worldwide. It supported theater commanders' requirements for combat delivery capability through tactical airland/airdrop operations and humanitarian aeromedical evacuations. The Maryland Air National Guard's introduction to

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1212-511: Is an insurrection in any State against its government, the President may, upon the request of its legislature or of its governor if the legislature cannot be convened, call into Federal service such of the militia of the other States, in the number requested by that State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to suppress the insurrection. 10 U.S.C. 252 – "Use of militia and armed forces to enforce Federal authority" Whenever

1313-465: Is provided in some SDFs. However, most SDFs do not require weapons proficiency. A 2006 report by the U.S. Freedom Foundation, an organization affiliated with the State Guard Association of the United States , recommended minimum standards for state defense forces, including weapons training, but the report has been largely ignored. Some SDFs have laws that in the event of deployment by order of

1414-799: The 130th in West Virginia, the 143d in Rhode Island, and the 135th in Maryland. The 135th Air Resupply Squadron was established in September 1955 as a new Maryland Air National Guard unit with no previous United States Air Force history or lineage by the National Guard Bureau. Activated on 10 September at Harbor Field, Baltimore, Maryland, the squadron was assigned to the 135th Air Resupply Group. Allocated to Military Air Transport Service (MATS), and equipped with C-46D Commando transports. The 135th

1515-837: The 1st Air Base Group , that support the operations of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard . * Colorado does not operate an active state defense force, but rather has a statutory state defense force staffed by one individual appointed by the governor. Some state defense forces advertise recruitment and physical standards lower than the U.S. military with relaxed waiver standards. While other state defense forces, and specific units, advertise professional military and physical fitness standards to retain integration with National Guard counterparts and more physically demanding state and interagency missions. California , for instance, requires no physical fitness test prior to entry and has weight/height standards significantly more relaxed than

1616-751: The Coast Guard Auxiliary , the California Department of Fish and Wildlife , CalTrans , and other civilian departments. As of May 2017, the Maryland Defense Force has significantly reorganized; the number of available officer billets has been shrunk, and the job descriptions reorganized, in order to avoid having a top-heavy organizational structure. New units, including the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Support Unit, have been approved, and others, such as

1717-505: The Compact Clause of the U.S. Constitution , under 32 U.S.C.   § 109 which provides that state defense forces as a whole may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces of the United States, thus preserving their separation from the National Guard. However, under the same law, individual members serving in the state defense force are not exempt from service in the armed forces (i.e., they are not excluded from

1818-579: The Federal Emergency Management Agency 's Citizen Corps . Some states follow the lead of the Army and offer a permanent tab (worn in a similar manner as the Army's Ranger and Sapper tabs) as an incentive to become certified as part of the local or unit CERT team. State defense forces may incorporate Medical Reserve Corps units into their organizational structure. The 47th Medical Company (MRC), of

1919-908: The Georgia State Defense Force , the Indiana Guard Reserve , the Maryland Defense Force , the New York Guard , the Ohio Military Reserve , the South Carolina State Guard , the Tennessee State Guard , the Texas State Guard , and the Virginia Defense Force had all contributed members to their respective states' efforts in combating the pandemic. In 2022, the Florida State Guard

2020-551: The Glenn L. Martin Company Airport , whose longer runway was necessary to support jet operations. Maryland gained a second flying unit – and its first group-level headquarters – in 1955 when the 135th Air Resupply Group was organized at Harbor Field. The 135th was one of a handful of Air Force special operations units in existence at the time. Equipped with Curtiss C-46 Commando transports and SA-16 Albatross seaplanes, its mission

2121-487: The Global War on Terrorism . From January to June 2003, the 104th Fighter Squadron was deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan , where it flew strikes against Taliban and al Qaeda forces and earned the distinction of being the longest-deployed Air National Guard fighter squadron at Bagram. In 2004 multiple members of the 135th APF were mobilized to backfill the 436th APS at Dover AFB DE and later forward deployed to support

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2222-650: The Horn of Africa , and elsewhere as part of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron . In addition to its service overseas, the Maryland Air National Guard has remained fully engaged at home. When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, the Maryland Air National Guard was among the first to respond. The 135th Airlift Group flew 42 relief missions and deployed nearly 200 troops to support recovery and relief efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi . From 2006 to 2008,

2323-807: The New Mexico State Defense Force , the 10th Medical Regiment of the Maryland Defense Force , and the Medical Brigade of the Texas State Guard receive training and recognition from the Medical Reserve Corps program sponsored by the Office of the Surgeon General of the United States through the Citizen Corps program, and are simultaneously organized as units of their respective state defense force. Weapons qualification and training

2424-422: The New York Guard had little or no formal military training despite holding, in some cases, general officer ranks. The former commander of the force, Pierre David Lax, noted that, "if you are friendly with the governor and you always wanted to be a general, you ask the governor to make you a general, and poof, you are a brigadier general." Another former commander asserted he regularly awarded titles to members of

2525-463: The State Guard Association of the United States , as an attempt to discredit the legitimacy of SDFs; concerned it would cause confusion among civilians. Proponents argued that it was necessary to ensure there was no confusion between SDFs and the National Guard. SDFs include a variety of special units including medical, aviation, and ceremonial units. The following are examples: The U.S. Constitution , coupled with several statutes and cases, details

2626-659: The State Guard Association of the United States , has become a common training focal point among state defense forces. Alabama, California, Indiana, Ohio and others have adopted the MEMS Badge as a basic qualification required of all members desiring promotion. Training is conducted both online, and through MEMS academies in each state, and includes course material provided by FEMA and other agencies, as well as practical experience in local disaster planning and exercise management. Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) are being organized by several SDFs by utilizing training offered by

2727-657: The USS Pueblo (AGER-2) in Korea. While mobilized, the unit conducted fighter ground attack training for Air Force pilots designated to be forward air controllers . The unit returned to Maryland and demobilized in December. The Maryland Air National Guard endured multiple changes in designation and equipment during the 1970s. The 135th Special Operations Group switched first to a tactical air support role, where it flew forward air controller missions with O-2A Skymasters , then in 1977, assumed

2828-628: The United States by direction of their respective state military departments and by the state's National Guard Adjutant General . Similar to their state's National Guard counterparts who take a dual federal and state military commission, military officers who are commissioned through a SDF Officer Candidate School take a sole military commission to the state that they support, recognized by their state's military code and 32 U.S.C.   § 109 . In states with full integration of state military resources ( SDF and National Guard counterparts)

2929-681: The "tactical response uniform" (TRU) in the Woodland pattern but whose cut and accouterments match the ACU but cannot mix pieces. The Alabama State Defense Force has also recently introduced a new "Standard Service Uniform" composed of a blue "tactical" shirt, and khaki "tactical" pants. The few states with both SDF air and naval units wear modified USAF and USN/USMC uniforms. Currently, only Ohio, Alaska and New York have uniformed naval militias . Only California, Vermont, and Puerto Rico have an air wing, though Indiana formerly had an Air Guard Reserve. In all cases,

3030-575: The 'militia' – organized or not – to call if needed for the purposes specified in the Militia Clauses" ( Perpich v. Department of Defense , 496 U.S. 334 (1990)). The Court, however, explicitly noted that it was not deciding this issue. The following is an extract of the laws which the Court cited as possibly giving the federal government authority to activate the state defense forces: 10 U.S.C. 251 – "Federal aid for State governments" Whenever there

3131-470: The 104th was reactivated as the 104th Fighter Squadron at Baltimore Municipal Airport , equipped with P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft, later replaced by P-51 Mustangs . From 1955 to 1958, the unit was organized as a fighter-interceptor squadron and charged with defending the Baltimore-Washington area against possible Soviet bomber attack. The unit soon converted to F-86 Sabre , and in 1957 relocated to

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3232-409: The 1990s. A-10s from the 175th were likewise kept busy patrolling the skies over Bosnia-Herzegovina as a part of the U.N./NATO task force and enforcing the “no-fly” zone over southern Iraq, where it was called upon to fly retaliatory strikes against Iraqi targets. On 15 June 1996, the two flying groups of the Maryland Air National Guard merged to form the 175th Wing. The 175th Wing, which carries on

3333-636: The 1991 Gulf War, Expeditionary units are composed of "aviation packages" from several wings, including active-duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air National Guard, would be married together to carry out the assigned deployment rotation. On 15 June 1996, the units of the 135th and 175th merged to form the 175th Wing. The 175th Wing became composite organization with an Air Combat Command-gained fighter unit and an Air Mobility Command-gained airlift unit. Reactivated in 1999 as

3434-455: The 702d EAS were suspended by the Air Force and returned to the United States. Originally, C-27J aircraft were supposed to remain in theater through 2014, but the Air Force decided to bring all of the aircraft back to the U.S. before the end of July after it submitted its 2013 budget proposal, which recommends terminating the C-27J and retiring the aircraft. L-3 Communications, which has maintained

3535-539: The 8th EAMS at Al Udeid AB Qatar. From 2004–present, members of the 135th APF(later re-designated as the 175th Small Air Terminal) have deployed multiple times to various locations in the CENTCOM AOR in support of ongoing operations there. Elements of the 135th Airlift Group remained almost continuously deployed in support of the War on Terror from December 2004 to January 2007, flying combat airlift missions into Iraq, Afghanistan,

3636-515: The Anti-Submarine Campaign. In late 1942, the unit was inactivated and its personnel transferred to the 517th Bombardment Squadron, later redesignated the 12th Anti-Submarine Squadron, at Langley Field, Va. In the fall of 1943, the 12th was transferred to California and redesignated the 859th Bombardment Squadron . By this time most of its original National Guard members had been reassigned to other units as individual replacements. In 1946,

3737-535: The MDDF Cyber Unit, have planned expansions. Training standards were also heightened, with the MDDF requiring that drill participation, age, height, and weight requirements be more strictly enforced. Further, all new soldiers are currently required to earn their Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge . These changes were made with the goal that the future MDDF would be able to "seamlessly integrate into missions with

3838-570: The Maryland Air Guard deployed a number of members to Arizona in support of the U.S. Border Patrol's efforts to secure the U.S-Mexico border. As a result of the USAF's decision to divest itself of the C-27, the 135th Airlift Group inactivated in 2013, bringing 58 years of service to a close. The Maryland Air National Guard First Sergeant Ribbon was an award to honor First Sergeants of the guard after at least three years of exceptional service. It

3939-420: The National Guard, especially medical commands to buttress civil authorities during a civil crisis, has become an emerging trend. Several state defense forces have begun to shift their focus to preparing for larger emergencies which may require multiple states to coordinate relief efforts. In July 2015, the Virginia Defense Force headed a multi-state communications exercise, the first ever of its kind, where

4040-664: The National Guard." Florida, in its effort to develop its State Guard, in 2023 it received approval to construct its headquarters and training center in Flagler County . In September 2024 it was reported that the Florida State Guard plans to build an airbase at Tallahassee International Airport , with the planned site consisting of two hangars, an office, and accompanying infrastructure. There are currently 20 active state defense forces and 5 active naval militias. The Puerto Rico State Guard includes an air support component,

4141-522: The New York legislature in exchange for their support of budgetary allocations to the force. The report also noted that a majority of the unit's rare deployments involved providing ceremonial support, such as bands and color guards, to the state government. An April 2014 Department of Defense report by the Inspector General's office reported confusion and inconsistency among state adjutant generals as to

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4242-439: The President considers that unlawful obstructions, combinations, or assemblages, or rebellion against the authority of the United States, make it impracticable to enforce the laws of the United States in any State or Territory by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, he may call into Federal service such of the militia of any State, and use such of the armed forces, as he considers necessary to enforce those laws or to suppress

4343-638: The SA-16 crews practiced pulling personnel from the ground by means of the Fulton Recovery System, which retired Col. Richard T. Lynch, a former 135th commander, described as being "like bungee jumping in reverse." In 1958, the group was inactivated and taken over by the Maryland Air National Guard. However, it was reactivated in 1962 and re-designated as Air Commando following the revival of an active duty air commando unit at Hurlburt Field, Florida in line with President John F. Kennedy 's initiative to bolster

4444-595: The SA-16 was extremely hazardous. To make matters worse, doctrine required pilots to land their aircraft on water at night, with no landing lights. Night water landings were practiced at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in southern Maryland. Three crewmen were killed when their plane crashed while attempting a water landing in May 1956. Ultimately, the 135th's mission included counterinsurgency, military civic action, psychological operations, tactical air operations, and unconventional warfare. In addition to blacked-out water landings,

4545-603: The State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or (2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws. 135th Airlift Group The 135th Airlift Group (135 AG)

4646-539: The Texas State Guard wears standard U.S. Army camouflage uniforms, a state guard unit patch, and the "U.S. Army" name tape replaced with one reading "Texas State Guard." Similarly, the California State Military Reserve wears a uniform identical to their National Guard counterparts except for the unit patch, beret flash, and the "California" name tape. Outer garments such as a Gore-Tex jacket have

4747-479: The U.S. Secretary of Defense to transfer surplus U.S. military equipment to state defense forces. Co-sponsors of the bill included Jim Marshall and Frank Wolf . Congress took no action on the measure before adjourning. In recent years, state defense forces have focused on retooling their capabilities to be better prepared for future missions by improving their professionalism and interoperability with other agencies. The development of professional commands to support

4848-561: The U.S. entry into World War II , the unit was transferred to the 59th Observation Group (now the 59th Medical Wing ) as part of a larger reorganization of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Along with the rest of the Maryland National Guard, the 104th was mobilized for federal service on 3 February 1941. During the war, the 104th flew anti-submarine patrols out of Atlantic City, N.J., in O-46s and was awarded campaign credit for participation in

4949-587: The United States military special forces during the early involvement in the Vietnam War . In 1963, the 135th added U-10 Super Couriers to its inventory. The U-10s were used for infiltration, extraction and psychological operations. These aircraft were temporarily replaced by U-6 Beavers from 1965 to 1967 due to a need for U-10s in Vietnam. In 1963, the 135th participated in Exercise Swift Strike III, one of

5050-469: The VDF practiced long-distance radio communications with the Tennessee State Guard , Indiana Guard Reserve , Texas State Guard , and the California State Military Reserve . Further efforts at standardizing training between state defense forces by setting competency requirements have been undertaken by the State Guard Association , which followed its Military Emergency Management Specialist training program with

5151-673: The Virgin Islands) can be federalized under the National Defense Act Amendments of 1933 with the creation of the National Guard of the United States. This provides the basis for integrating units and personnel of the Army National Guard into the U.S. Army and, since 1947, units and personnel of the Air National Guard into the U.S. Air Force . The federal government recognizes state defense forces, as per

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5252-479: The ability of SDFs to work alongside their National Guard counterparts, and a lack of coordination with and support from the Department of Defense. During a survey conducted by the Inspector General of SDF commanders and adjutant generals, 18 of 19 considered their SDFs to be part of the organized militia and subject to the Code of Military Justice, 14 of 18 considered the members of SDFs to be "soldiers", 14 of 18 considered SDF personnel to be "lawful belligerents" under

5353-440: The aircraft in Afghanistan, is shutting down its operations in the country and is having its equipment withdrawn as well, an Air Force official said. The Air Force decided to bring the aircraft back to the U.S. ahead of schedule because the maintenance contract with L-3 will expire this summer, the service official said. Keeping the aircraft in theater would mean spending an additional $ 20 million to $ 25 million in maintenance costs,

5454-425: The armed forces. In 2008, Alaska disarmed its state defense force after an investigation concluded the lack of training intensity or standardization was a potential legal liability to the state. By 2010 the status of the force had been downgraded even further, with the Adjutant-General of the Alaska National Guard informing volunteers that they would only be called upon as a "reserve of last resort to be used only in

5555-481: The combat theater, while the unit's Mobile Aerial Port Flight was called up and sent to Dover Air Force Base , Del. The same year, the 175th won Gunsmoke , the U.S. Air Force Worldwide Gunnery Competition, earning recognition as the best fighter unit in the Air Force. The 135th participated in humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia , peacekeeping and humanitarian relief in Bosnia , the U.S. intervention in Haiti , and enforcement of U.N. sanctions against Iraq during

5656-450: The curriculum is often similar, with the National Guard curriculum taking on additional requirements to meet federal recognition (referred to as FEDREC ). For example, California maintains both Officer Candidate Schools at Camp San Luis Obispo , with the State Guard OCS being 11–12 months and the National Guard OCS being 16–18 months, both celebrate a joint graduation. The Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge , created by

5757-408: The display of previously earned qualification badges on the utility uniforms if the badge was issued by the US Armed Forces. For example, if a state SDF member earned a parachutist badge while in the US Armed Forces, they are no longer allowed to display said badge on their SDF uniform. Federal awards not issued by the US Armed Forces are still authorized. This was largely seen by SDF groups, including

5858-539: The draft). Under 32 USC § 109(e), "A person may not become a member of a defense force ... if he is a member of a reserve component of the armed forces." Nearly every state has laws authorizing state defense forces, and 19 states, plus the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , have active forces with different levels of activity, support, and strength. State defense forces generally operate with emergency management and homeland security missions. Most SDFs are organized as ground units, but air and naval units also exist. Depending on

5959-410: The elements of the Maryland ANG are subject to being activated by order of the Governor to provide protection of life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. State missions include disaster relief in times of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and forest fires, search and rescue, protection of vital public services, and support to civil defense. The Maryland Air National Guard consists of

6060-425: The enforcement of U.N. sanctions against Iraq during the 1990s. In mid-1996, the Air Force, in response to budget cuts, and changing world situations, began experimenting with Air Expeditionary organizations. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept was developed that would mix Active-Duty, Reserve and Air National Guard elements into a combined force. Instead of entire permanent units deploying as "Provisional" as in

6161-416: The federal government.) This fear of violating regulations also inhibited their use and integration with their National Guard counterparts, preventing them from conducting joint operations alongside one another, and also from volunteering in support of federal missions. Other problems cited by the Inspector General's office were a lack of standardization in training and physical fitness, raising questions as to

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6262-447: The federal service for certain units, but certain jobs — like firefighters, search and rescue, and certain maritime search and rescue/dive personnel within the Cal Guard 's Emergency Response Command and Maritime Service — require passing a physical fitness test, pack hikes, and tryouts. California State Guard wildland firefighters , for example, must complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Red Card standards, then complete

6363-465: The field had been obtained by the state and renamed Martin State Airport in 1975. Despite the end of the Cold War, the Maryland Air National Guard remained heavily involved in operations around the world through the remainder of the century. During the build-up to the 1991 Persian Gulf War , a number of unit personnel were mobilized to fill support roles. Three Maryland C-130s were mobilized and deployed to Germany to “backfill” for aircraft being sent into

6464-559: The first C-27J Spartan light transport was received. The squadron will obtain four of the C-27Js. Beginning in July 2011, the 135th EAS along with the Ohio Air National Guard 164th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron began rotational deployments for joint operations of the C-27J from Kandahar Airfield , Afghanistan as the 702d Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. The 702d EAS flew the two aircraft on 3,200 missions, moved 1,400 tons of cargo, transported 25,000 passengers and executed 71 airdrops, according to Air Force data. In June 2012, operations of

6565-399: The following major components: The Maryland Air National Guard traces its origins to 29 June 1921. On that date the 104th Observation Squadron was federally recognized in Baltimore. It became the first post-World War I National Guard unit to be equipped with its own aircraft, 13 Curtiss JN-4 Jennies, which it flew until 1923. The unit was based at Logan Field in Baltimore . The 104th

6666-519: The largest military maneuvers since World War II. During the exercise, the unit not only flew a variety of special air warfare missions, but received an operational readiness inspection from Tactical Air Command to boot. The 135th also worked with U.S. intelligence agencies. A common mission was to pick up agents in training, fly a zig-zag course to make sure they didn't know where they were headed, then have them parachute out over western Maryland. The trainees then had to make their way to Patuxent with only

6767-468: The late 1980s, however, a series of high-profile reports caused several states to shut down or significantly restructure their forces. In 1987, the governor of Utah removed all but 31 officers from the Utah State Guard , after a probe revealed that its ranks were "peppered with neo-Nazis, felons and mental patients." Meanwhile, in 1990, the Virginia General Assembly launched an investigation and subsequent overhaul of its state's force after receiving tips that

6868-404: The latest and most advanced version of the venerable transport. The 135th played a major role in the operational test and evaluation of the aircraft, procedures development and evaluation, and was the first fully equipped C-130J unit in the U.S. Air Force. In 2011, the unit again transitioned aircraft, this time to the new C-27J Spartan . The wing was also selected as the lead unit to convert to

6969-486: The law and authorized "state defense forces" permanently under Title 32, Section 109, of the United States Code. Two years later, Congress amended the law and changed the name from "State defense forces" to "defense forces." Still, it was not until the early Ronald Reagan administration that many states developed their defense forces into elements that existed beyond paper, when the U.S. Department of Defense actively encouraged states to create and maintain SDF units. By

7070-402: The lineage and honors of the 175th Fighter Group, is a composite organization with an Air Combat Command-gained fighter unit, and Air Mobility Command-gained airlift unit, a U.S. Air Forces in Europe-gained civil engineer flight, and, since 2006, an information operations squadron. The wing has been deeply involved in fielding the latest Air Force aircraft. In 1999, it dedicated its first C-130J,

7171-411: The most extreme emergencies." The ASDF remained deliberately hamstrung for several years, until Governor Bill Walker overruled the Adjutant-General in 2016 when he announced his intention to reform the Alaska State Defense Force by expanding it further into rural Alaska and improving training standards. Further controversy was stoked by a New York Times report which found many senior officers in

7272-567: The new A-10C – the first A-10 aircraft in the U.S. Air Force to be modified for precision engagement. Beginning in 2006, wing personnel were deeply involved in the test and evaluation process and in September 2007, the 104th Fighter Squadron became the first unit to take the A-10C into combat, when it deployed to Iraq. Since the September 11 attacks , 2001, members of the Maryland Air National Guard have repeatedly volunteered or been mobilized to take part in

7373-600: The objective of increasing the capacity of ECCAS states in the field of peacekeeping and conflict prevention and management. This exercise represented a direct application of the French RECAMP-concept (reinforcement of African peacekeeping capacities). BRAC 2005 saw the C-130J aircraft of the squadron being transferred to the 146th Airlift Wing (ANG), Channel Islands AGS, CA (four aircraft), and 143d Airlift Wing (ANG), Quonset State Airport AGS, RI (four aircraft). In 2011,

7474-425: The official said. The end of the C-27J program "....would leave the Maryland Air Guard without the airlift capability it has used to deliver troops, equipment and supplies to isolated terrain in combat overseas and disasters in the United States. "It also would leave the 250 pilots, loadmasters, maintenance workers and other personnel of the 135th Airlift Group without an assignment. It is unclear what will become of

7575-576: The outbreak of the Korean War and at the urging of the National Guard, Congress reauthorized the separate state military forces for a time period of two years. These state military forces were authorized military training at federal expense, as well as "arms, ammunition, clothing, and equipment," as deemed necessary by the Secretary of the Army . At the end of the two years, however, they were not reauthorized under federal law. In 1956, Congress finally revised

7676-418: The rebellion. 10 U.S.C. 253 – "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, if it - (1) so hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States within

7777-432: The relationship of state defense forces to the federal government. Outside of 32 U.S.C. 109, the U.S. Supreme Court noted: "It is true that the state defense forces 'may not be called, ordered, or drafted into the armed forces.' 32 U.S.C. 109(c). It is nonetheless possible that they are subject to call under 10 U.S.C. 331–333, which distinguish the 'militia' from the 'armed forces,' and which appear to subject all portions of

7878-470: The resources they carried—sometimes taking as much as six weeks to do so. The 135th would then fly down to "extract" the trainees and bring them home. The unit's loudspeaker-equipped U-10s were used to broadcast orders to student protesters at the University of Maryland during demonstrations in 1971, their only actual operational use by the 135th. It remained a special operations-type unit until 1971, when it

7979-456: The responsibilities of State Adjutant Generals to enforce on their state's SDFs. The new regulations include: solid red background nametapes with white lettering, solid red backgrounds and white ranks for rank tabs, solid red covers with white ranks, the requirement of full color state flags, full color unit patches, and a tab on the left shoulder displaying "SDF" in white lettering on a solid red background. Notably, this regulation also disallowed

8080-548: The rules of war, and only 4 of 19 authorized their personnel to conduct firearms training. Almost all of the missions reported to the IG's office were non-military in nature, including small-scale search and rescue, disaster management, and other unarmed, homeland security related-tasks. Due to public fears over the Jade Helm 15 exercises held throughout a number of southwestern states, on 28 April 2015, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas ordered

8181-624: The state adjutant general has the final say on uniforms worn by state defense forces, though federal service regulations generally shape the policies of each state. In March 2024, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau signed an updated Chief of the National Guard Bureau Instruction (CNGBI) 5500.01A National Guard Interaction with State Defense Forces . In this new regulation, it outlined new uniform requirements of SDFs who wear modified US Army Utility Uniforms. These new requirements are

8282-551: The state defense force name or state name rather than "U.S. Army." Standard U.S. Army branch insignia are often used or a unique "state guard" branch insignia consisting of a crossed musket and sword is alternatively used. Where berets are worn, some state defense forces use a beret flash similar to the one the U.S. Army uses, but in bright red thread instead of the Army's blue. Other states have beret flashes that are often based on their state flag. Uniforms vary from state to state and tend to have only subtle differences. For example,

8383-520: The state legislature and/or governor, they will become armed. As a general rule, state defense forces wear standard U.S. military uniforms with insignia closely matching those of their federal counterparts. SDF units generally wear red name tags on service uniforms (as specifically prescribed by AR 670-1 for SDF units when adopting the Army Service Uniform or Battle Dress Uniform (BDU), and name tapes on Army Combat Uniforms (ACU) or BDUs use

8484-420: The state, they may be variously named as state military , state military force , state guard , state militia , or state military reserve . Every state defense force is also the command authority for the " unorganized militia ", which is defined as every able bodied male between the age of 17 and 45 who is not already serving in some capacity within the armed forces or National Guard. The original concept of

8585-620: The states to maintain Home Guards , which were reserve forces outside the National Guard forces that were then being deployed by the Federal Government as part of the National Army. The Secretary of War was authorized to furnish these Home Guard units with rifles, ammunition, and supplies. In 1933, Congress finalized the split between the National Guard and the traditional state militias by mandating that all federally funded soldiers take

8686-616: The unit converted to the C-130B Hercules . In 1981, it moved across the field to join other Maryland Air National Guard units based on the north side of the field. The military facilities are named Warfield Air National Guard Base . During the early 1990s, the 135th participated in humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia, peacekeeping and humanitarian relief in Bosnia, the U.S. intervention in Haiti and

8787-467: The unorganized militia being a citizen army which could be raised immediately in times of extreme national emergency. In the modern day military, the unorganized militia is considered obsolete with very few exceptions. One of the only recognized instances where unorganized militia members wear uniforms and actively perform military duties is the Virginia Militia which actively employs officers amongst

8888-497: The use and status of state defense forces. The Inspector General's office reported an under-utilization of state defense force capabilities due to a lack of clarity in the US Code regarding the use of SDFs, fueling fear that using funds and assets acquired through the federal government for state defense forces could run afoul of regulations. (While the National Guard is operated by the states, most of their equipment and funding comes from

8989-473: The valuable capabilities that State Defense Forces can provide." In the decade following that article, however, no significant action has been taken on the recommendation. Several bills have been unsuccessfully introduced in Congress since the early 1990s seeking to improve the readiness of state defense forces. The most recent, H.R. 206, introduced in 2009 by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, would have allowed

9090-476: The various military schools in the state of Virginia. From its founding until the early 1900s, the United States maintained only a minimal army and relied on state militias to supply the majority of its troops, with the training and readiness of the latter varying widely. As a result of the Spanish–American War and the performance of the militias and other volunteer units during that conflict, Congress

9191-494: The volunteers were "saving money to buy a tank." With the end of the Cold War came a general decrease of interest in state defense forces. The September 11 attacks , however, generated additional attention and, with it, greater scrutiny from some in the United States military who questioned the training and equipment of the units and whether they provided an outlet for "warrior wannabes" who would not otherwise qualify for service in

9292-556: The world of special operations began when Air Force leaders decided to phase out active duty air commando units in 1954. Despite the decision, there was still a need to maintain a limited number of crews and aircraft to support unconventional warfare missions. After lengthy deliberations, the Air Force decided in 1955 to establish four special air warfare units within the Air National Guard: the 129th Air Resupply Group in California,

9393-513: Was called upon to reform and regulate the training and qualification of state militias. In 1903, with passage of the Militia Act of 1903 , the predecessor to the modern-day National Guard was formed. It required the states to divide their militias into two sections. The law recommended the title "National Guard" for the first section, for federal administration, and "Reserve Militia" for the individual states. During World War I , Congress authorized

9494-486: Was designated at the time as a "Psychological Warfare" unit which supported USAF unconventional warfare (guerrilla warfare), direct action (commando-type raids), strategic reconnaissance (intelligence gathering), and PSYWAR operations. The C-46 was supplemented by SA-16 Albatross amphibious aircraft beginning in 1956. The SA-16 (later redesignated HU-16) completely replaced the C-46s in late 1958. Training for water landings with

9595-412: Was discontinued in 2010, but those First Sergeants who received the ribbon prior to that date are authorized to continue to display it. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency State defense force In the United States , state defense forces (SDFs) are military units that operate under the sole authority of

9696-617: Was established in October. The 104th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which had heretofore operated as an independent squadron, became a part of the new group. The spring of 1968 brought considerable activity, with both the 135th and 175th being called out to help quell rioting in Baltimore following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , and elements of the 175th being federalized and deployed to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. , in response to

9797-492: Was initially assigned as division aviation for the 29th Infantry Division . Their annual summer training encampments were at Langley Field , Virginia (until 1931) and Detrick Field , Maryland (1931–41). (Detrick Field, now Fort Detrick , was named for the squadron's flight surgeon , Captain Frederick Detrick .) In addition to Jennies, the 104th flew a variety of other aircraft during the interwar period. Shortly before

9898-703: Was re-equipped with brand new A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from the Fairchild factory in Hagerstown, Maryland . The military facilities at Martin State Airport were formally renamed the Warfield Air National Guard Base in honor of Maj Gen (Ret) Edwin Warfield III, former Adjutant General of Maryland, in 1982 and the base has since been known as Warfield Air National Guard Base. The civilian portion of

9999-466: Was reorganized as a tactical air support unit. In this role, it was tasked with providing Forward Air Controllers to direct air strikes in support of troops on the ground. In 1977 it was again reorganized, this time as a tactical airlift unit as part of a general program to upgrade Air National Guard units. Was assigned the C-7A Caribou light transport, the aircraft being Vietnam War veterans. In 1980,

10100-642: Was restored, and throughout 2023 and 2024 created Arial, Maritime, Land, and Special units. In 2023, Florida approved a $ 107 million budget for 2023-2024. In 2024, signifying cross-state cooperation and operations by State defense forces, the Florida State Guard sent troops to Texas to support border operations. A 2003 article in the United States Army War College 's Parameters journal recommended that " United States Northern Command ( NORTHCOM ) should ensure that future contingency planning efforts for homeland security operations fully incorporate

10201-494: Was the covert infiltration, resupply, and extraction of special forces. Redesignated as the 135th Air Commando Group in 1963 and then the 135th Special Operations Group in 1968, it was one of only five such units throughout the Air National Guard. It remained at Harbor Field until 1960, when it too relocated to the Martin Company Airport. A second group headquarters was added in 1962, when the 175th Tactical Fighter Group

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