Ohio Army National Guard

Ohio Army National Guard
Unit name	Ohio Army National Guard
Caption	Flag of the Ohio National Guard
Dates	1788–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	Ohio
Branch	United States Army
Type	Army National Guard
Role	State militia; federal reserve force
Size	~11,000 soldiers
Command structure	Ohio National Guard
Garrison	Beightler Armory, Columbus, Ohio
Commander1	Governor Mike DeWine
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	MG John C. Harris Jr.
Commander2 label	Adjutant General
Identification symbol label	Distinctive unit insignia

Ohio Army National Guard. The Ohio Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the Ohio National Guard, tracing its militia origins to the Northwest Territory in 1788. It serves a dual mission, providing trained units to the U.S. Department of Defense for federal service while remaining available to the Governor of Ohio for state emergencies. With a history of service from the War of 1812 to modern global operations, its soldiers are a key part of the nation's military reserve.

History

The lineage of the force begins with the militia of the Northwest Territory, established after the American Revolutionary War and notably involved in the Northwest Indian War. Units served with distinction in the War of 1812, including at the Battle of Lake Erie and the Siege of Fort Meigs. During the American Civil War, Ohio provided massive numbers of troops to the Union Army, with regiments fighting in critical battles like Antietam and Gettysburg. The Militia Act of 1903 formally organized it as part of the modern National Guard of the United States. In the 20th century, its divisions, such as the 37th Infantry Division, saw extensive action in both World War I and World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater of Operations. The Ohio National Guard was also involved in the Kent State shootings in 1970 during civil unrest.

Organization

The force is headquartered at Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio, under the command of the state's Adjutant General, who reports to the Governor of Ohio. It is divided into two major maneuver brigades and various separate functional brigades and groups. These units fall under the operational control of the U.S. Army National Guard for training and federal mobilization, aligning with the United States Army Forces Command and United States Army Reserve. For state active duty, it coordinates closely with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and other civil authorities.

Major units

The principal combat formations include the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which is part of the 28th Infantry Division, and the 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. Key support commands are the 16th Engineer Brigade, the 371st Sustainment Brigade, and the 73rd Troop Command. Aviation assets are consolidated under the Ohio Army National Guard Aviation unit, operating from facilities like the Army Aviation Support Facility at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.

Missions and deployments

Its federal mission includes mobilization in support of the United States Department of Defense, with recent major deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Soldiers have also supported peacekeeping operations in the Balkans and Sinai Peninsula. The state mission involves responding to domestic emergencies such as natural disasters, including floods along the Ohio River and tornado outbreaks, and providing security support for events like the Republican National Convention when held in Cleveland.

Training and facilities

Soldiers conduct annual training at major installations like the Camp Perry Training Site and the Camp Ravenna Joint Military Training Center. They also frequently train at federal United States Army posts such as Fort Bliss, Fort Hood, and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk. Key state-owned facilities include the Buckeye Training Site and numerous armories across the state, such as the Cincinnati Armory and the Cleveland Armory.

Equipment

The force utilizes standard United States Army issue equipment, including the M4 carbine and the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle for its brigade combat teams. The 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade operates the Avenger (missile system) and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System. Aviation units fly the UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Engineers employ a variety of vehicles like the M9 Armored Combat Earthmover, and logistics units use the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.

Category:Ohio Army National Guard Category:Military in Ohio Category:Army National Guard