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The National Guard finished a dynamic year in December, leaving an indelible mark supporting the warfighter and protecting communities.
From fortifying a world-leading State Partnership Program to pioneering advancements in cyber and space operations, the nation’s oldest military organization shined as a trailblazer in 2023.
The Air National Guard’s role in Air Defender 2023 was one example. Led by Germany, the multi-national exercise showcased NATO’s defensive capabilities and marked the largest air force redeployment exercise since the military alliance's inception.
"Moving 100 aircraft over the ocean in a matter of four flying days is a monumental feat," said Air Force Maj. Brandyn Dietman of the Wisconsin Air Guard’s 128th Air Refueling Wing, one of several units providing an "air bridge" to Germany, where the exercise primarily occurred.
The efforts of the more than 25,000 Guard members who deployed in 2023 reflect what Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, cites as a testament to the Guard’s inherent value as a member of the Joint Force and an integral part of U.S. military might.
"As a combat reserve of the Army and the Air Force, our soldiers and airmen are built to fight our nation’s wars," said Hokanson, who is also a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "It’s our primary mission – our reason for existing."
He added the Guard is equally adept at responding to natural disasters and emergencies nationwide, citing the nearly 400 domestic operation responses last year.
One of those communities was Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, where the Guard conducted aerial water drops, search and recovery efforts and assisted local law enforcement during destructive wildfires.
Spc. Kaimana McBrayer, a Hawaii Army Guardsman, emphasized the personal connection from being embedded in the affected community.
"It’s unreal, especially as a Hawaiian, because we have a special connection to the land and the people – so this hits close to home," said McBrayer, whose unit had just completed a warfare exercise before being mobilized to respond to the disaster.
The Guard also responded to wildfires in Rhode Island, Louisiana and Wisconsin last year.
Guardsmen additionally played a crucial role in responding to Hurricane Idalia on Florida’s Gulf Coast, activating about 6,500 personnel.
Several air assets were sent to the Sunshine State from Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee Guard units. Some Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina Guardsmen were also on duty, focusing on search and rescue, clearing roads of debris and assessing damage caused by the storm.
Last February, the Ohio Guard and the West Virginia Guard swiftly responded to a hazardous materials train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, highlighting the Guard’s unique capability in responding to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies.
In late May, Typhoon Mawar wreaked havoc on Guam, a 210-square-mile American territory with a population of nearly 180,000 people. The island also serves as a strategic focal point for the nation's Indo-Pacific Command.
Guardsmen quickly took action, setting up traffic control points, establishing collection points for debris and distributing emergency commodities to assist the affected community.
As Mawar made landfall, Guam faced an additional challenge once its telecommunication system was targeted by cyber code originating from China. Two months later, the Guam Guard convened a conference attended by several U.S. agencies, emphasizing the critical need for building and maintaining a robust cybersecurity program.
In Estonia, the Maryland Air Guard collaborated with the Baltic nation’s armed forces to build an information-sharing platform, enhancing its defense against cyber threats.
This effort was part of the Defense Department's SPP, an initiative where Guard elements partner with nations worldwide for military-to-military applications and homeland security training.
In July, the Guard celebrated the SPP's 30th anniversary by adding four countries, bringing the program's total to 100 partner nations and 88 state partnerships in 2023.
In October, Hokanson visited Sweden to discuss its prospects for joining the SPP after its NATO bid. Hokanson also emphasized the importance of the United States and Sweden learning from each other, especially in the cyber and space domains.
Meanwhile, the Guard continued its critical role in space operations. In August, the Ohio Guard’s 178th Wing hosted the Vulcan Guard exercise, incorporating diverse space weapons systems in realistic scenarios.
Defense officials credit the Guard with supplying 60% of all space electromagnetic warfare capability to the Space Force’s Space Operations Command.
Given the high demand for unfettered access to space for combatant commanders, space-based units like the Florida Air Guard’s 114th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron conducted Exercise ThunderMoose in Maine last summer.
The exercise showcased the Guard's ability to airlift a new electromagnetic warfare system while establishing a base location, all made possible by the expertise of satellite communications, radio frequency, intelligence, security and aerospace ground equipment specialists.
While visiting the New York Air Guard’s 222nd Command and Control Squadron last year, Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward Vaughan, the NGB's director of space operations, highlighted how high-tech civilian jobs seamlessly translate into Guard roles.
"More than half of the squadron members hold civilian employment in the intelligence community or with private sector space contractors," said Vaughn. "This provides high-quality expertise and readiness to deter or fight in the next war."
Army Guard soldiers also demonstrated their exceptional skills in tactical competitions, securing victories in prominent events such as the 2023 International Sniper Competition and the U.S. Army "All Army" Small Arms Championships.
On the Air side, airmen from New England achieved remarkable success in the William Tell 2023 Competition, dominating nearly half of the event's categories.
Comprising 20% of the Joint Force and continuing its service across nearly every zip code in America, Hokanson added the Guard's success would continue being defined by its people in 2024 – the 430,000 Guardsmen who stand "Always Ready, Always There."
"We are the nexus of our nation’s defense strategy," he said. "We need to tell our story."
— By Master Sgt. Erich Smith, National Guard Bureau
