National Guard of Texas

National Guard of Texas
Unit name	National Guard of Texas
Dates	1823–present
Country	Texas / United States
Allegiance	Texas; United States
Branch	Texas Military Department; Texas Army National Guard; Texas Air National Guard
Type	Militia; National Guard
Role	State and federal military reserve
Size	Variable; several regiments, brigades, wings
Garrison	Austin, State Capitol
Garrison label	Headquarters
Battles	Texas Revolution, Battle of San Jacinto, Mexican–American War, American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Global War on Terrorism
Notable commanders	Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Anson Jones, Rick Perry, Greg Abbott

National Guard of Texas The National Guard of Texas traces lineage to militia forces formed in the Republic of Texas and has served in state and federal capacities across conflicts including the Texas Revolution and modern operations. It operates as part of the Texas Military Department and interoperates with United States National Guard structures, supporting civil authorities during emergencies and contributing to overseas deployments. Its personnel serve in both the Texas Army National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard under dual state-federal status governed by statutes such as the Militia Act of 1903 and the National Defense Act of 1916.

History

Origins date to 1823 militias during Anglo-American colonization of Mexican Texas and formalization during the Republic of Texas. Units participated in the Battle of San Jacinto and the Mirabeau B. Lamar era expansion. Integration into the United States after annexation involved service during the Mexican–American War and later complex alignment in the American Civil War with units on the Confederate side such as Texas cavalry and infantry. Postbellum reconstitution saw units like the Texas Rangers interface with militia reform, leading into 20th-century federalization under the Militia Act of 1903 and the National Defense Act of 1916. Guard units mobilized for World War I as federalized divisions, and again for World War II with deployments overlapping units from the 36th Infantry Division and the 149th Fighter Wing. Cold War era assignments included activations for the Korean War and the Vietnam War support roles. In the 21st century, the force has taken part in operations linked to the Global War on Terrorism, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, while responding domestically to disasters like Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Ike.

Organization and Structure

The organization integrates the Texas Army National Guard and Texas Air National Guard under the Adjutant General within the Texas Military Department. Command relationships mirror federal-state dual-status arrangements codified in the United States Code, with mobilization authorities linked to the President of the United States and the Governor of Texas. Major subordinate elements include brigade-level headquarters such as the 36th Infantry Division headquarters elements, the 71st Troop Command, and the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. Air components include wings like the 147th Attack Wing, the 149th Fighter Wing, and the 136th Airlift Wing. Support organizations encompass the Texas State Guard and partner entities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Defense, and Joint Task Force constructs during domestic emergencies.

Roles and Missions

Primary roles encompass disaster response for events like Hurricane Rita, Hurricane Ike, and Hurricane Harvey, civil support to Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement during border security missions, and federal mobilization for contingencies including Operation Noble Eagle and international deployments. Missions extend to infrastructure protection at facilities like Port of Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, support to Department of Homeland Security initiatives, and participation in multinational exercises like Bright Star and Exercise Northern Strike. The Guard also provides domestic security during high-profile events associated with the Republic of Texas heritage, Presidential inaugurations, and major sporting events such as Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas.

Units and Components

Notable ground units include the 36th Infantry Division (United States), 71st Troop Command, 149th Cavalry Regiment, 142d Field Artillery Brigade, and the 72nd Brigade Combat Team lineage elements. Aviation assets derive from units such as the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade and subordinate battalions. Air components include the 136th Airlift Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, the 147th Attack Wing at Ellington Field, and the 149th Fighter Wing at Joint Reserve Base San Antonio. Specialized elements encompass engineering units like the 176th Engineer Brigade lineage, medical detachments, military police units, and cyber and communications squadrons that interface with United States Cyber Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command during missions.

Equipment and Facilities

Equipment ranges from armored vehicles such as variants of the M2 Bradley and M1 Abrams in certain active formations, to rotary-wing platforms like the UH-60 Black Hawk and the CH-47 Chinook operated by combat aviation elements. Air inventory historically includes the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon in Guard fighter wings, as well as airlift platforms including the C-130 Hercules. Logistics and engineering equipment support disaster response with heavy-lift assets, bridging gear, and construction equipment. Key facilities include armories across metropolitan locations like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, and training sites such as the Camp Mabry, Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), and Camp Swift for large-scale exercises and mobilization.

Training and Readiness

Training pipelines integrate federal professional military education institutions like the United States Army War College, Air War College, and service schools including the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore and aviation courses at Fort Novosel. Annual training cycles follow annual training and drill weekends aligned with readiness standards from United States Northern Command and U.S. Army North. Exercises include interoperability events with Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and multinational partners such as Mexican Secretariat of National Defense liaison activities. Readiness metrics track force structure against mobilization timelines used in deployments to theaters including Iraq, Afghanistan, and rotation support to NATO operations.

Legal Status and Governance

The Guard operates under statutes including the Militia Act of 1903, the National Defense Act of 1916, and Title 32 and Title 10 provisions of the United States Code, establishing federalization pathways by the President of the United States and state activation by the Governor of Texas. Oversight includes the Texas Legislature, the Governor of Texas, and the Adjutant General of Texas, with budgetary interaction involving the Department of Defense and federal funding programs such as the National Guard Bureau allocations. Legal frameworks guide domestic employment under Posse Comitatus Act limitations, emergency powers statutes in the Texas Government Code, and coordination with civil authorities during public health crises such as pandemics and biocontainment events.

Category:Military units and formations in Texas