New Hampshire National Guard

New Hampshire National Guard
Unit name	New Hampshire National Guard
Dates	1861–present
Country	United States
Type	Militia
Garrison	Concord, New Hampshire

New Hampshire National Guard The New Hampshire National Guard is the state militia force serving New Hampshire and the United States. It traces roots to colonial militia units that fought in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the American Civil War, and later conflicts, evolving into a modern reserve component aligned with the United States Department of Defense, the National Guard Bureau, and state authorities. The force integrates with federal formations during mobilization and supports state officials during emergencies such as the Great New England Hurricane and public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

The militia tradition in New Hampshire dates to the 17th century with units participating in colonial conflicts like King William's War and Queen Anne's War. During the American Revolutionary War New Hampshire militia elements served alongside Continental units at engagements connected to the Siege of Boston and the Battle of Saratoga. In the American Civil War regiments from New Hampshire fought in campaigns under the Army of the Potomac and at the Battle of Gettysburg. Postbellum reforms influenced by the Militia Act of 1903 (also known as the Dick Act) and the National Defense Act of 1916 transformed state militias into federally integrated National Guard units that mobilized for World War I and World War II. During the Cold War the Guard supported continental air defense tied to the North American Aerospace Defense Command and responded to crises including civil disturbances related to events like the Kent State shootings era protests. In the 21st century the organization deployed personnel to operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom while providing state response to disasters like Hurricane Katrina and regional winter storms.

Organization and Structure

The Guard operates under dual state-federal status defined by statutes including the United States Code provisions for the National Guard of the United States. The state chief executive, the Governor of New Hampshire, is the commander-in-chief for state missions, while federalization places units under the United States Secretary of Defense and combatant commands such as United States Northern Command and United States Central Command. Administrative oversight flows through the Adjutant General of New Hampshire, who liaises with the National Guard Bureau and coordinates with agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency during emergencies. The force organizes according to Army and Air components aligned with formations such as the United States Army Reserve and the Air National Guard for training, readiness, and mobilization.

Components (Army and Air)

Army components include infantry, support, and engineering elements that trace lineage to units like volunteer infantry regiments from the Civil War era. These Army units coordinate with formations such as the United States Army National Guard and may be augmented by the Army National Guard Combat Arms structure for deployments. The Air component, the Air National Guard, fields airlift, air refueling, and support roles interoperating with commands like the Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command. Individual units maintain affiliations with larger federal wings, groups, and brigades and train for missions consistent with continental defense and expeditionary operations.

Missions and Operations

Primary state missions include disaster response, civil support, and emergency management assistance during events like New England storms and public health emergencies exemplified by responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Federal missions encompass deployment to theaters in Southwest Asia and Afghanistan under operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and participation in multinational exercises with allies in NATO frameworks like Operation Atlantic Resolve. Domestic support roles include coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, participation in consequence management for incidents related to terrorism and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats under programs linked to the National Response Framework.

Training and Facilities

Training occurs at state armories and regional training centers, involving annual training rotations, weekend drills, and specialty courses provided through institutions like the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Air Force Reserve Command. Facilities include readiness centers in municipalities across New Hampshire and access to federal installations such as nearby Fort Devens-era ranges and regional airfields supporting aircrew and ground force training. Exercises often integrate with civilian agencies including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and statewide emergency management offices to rehearse disaster response, homeland security missions, and interoperability with local law enforcement and fire services.

Awards, Honors, and Notable Deployments

Units and personnel have received campaign streamers and awards tied to conflicts from the American Civil War through World War II, Korean War era mobilizations, and recent campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. Notable deployments include contributions to Operation Noble Eagle homeland defense tasks after the September 11 attacks, overseas rotations for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and domestic missions supporting recovery from Hurricane Katrina and pandemic response during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual service members have earned decorations from entities such as the Department of Defense and state-level commendations issued by the Governor of New Hampshire.

Category:Military units and formations in New Hampshire Category:National Guard (United States)