Texas Military Forces

Texas Military Forces
Unit name	Texas Military Forces
Caption	Seal of the Texas Military Forces
Dates	1836–present
Country	Republic of Texas; United States of America
Allegiance	State of Texas
Branch	Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard
Type	Land, Air, State Defense Force
Role	State and federal defense, disaster response, civil support
Garrison	Austin, Texas
Commander1	Greg Abbott
Commander1 label	Governor of Texas
Commander2	John F. Nichols
Commander2 label	Adjutant General
Identification symbol	Texas flag

Texas Military Forces

Texas Military Forces trace their origins to the Texas Revolution and the Republic of Texas, evolving through participation in the Mexican–American War, the American Civil War, both World Wars, and modern domestic operations. The institution comprises state and federally recognized organizations that operate under dual authorities, providing disaster relief during events such as Hurricane Harvey, supporting federal deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and maintaining readiness for civil emergencies. Its legacy is tied to figures like Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, and units that fought at the Siege of Béxar and the Battle of San Jacinto.

History

The origin story centers on the militia forces of the Republic of Texas and volunteers raised by Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin during the Texas Revolution, including engagements at the Siege of Béxar and the Battle of San Jacinto. After annexation into the United States of America, elements served in the Mexican–American War alongside units from New York, Kentucky, and Virginia. During the American Civil War, Texas units were integrated into the Confederate States Army and saw action in theaters like the Trans-Mississippi Department and the Red River Campaign. Reconstitution occurred during Reconstruction and the late 19th century with responses to events such as the Red River War and border incidents during the Mexican Revolution. The 20th century brought National Guard federalization for World War I and World War II, with deployments to France, Italy, and the Pacific Theater. Postwar reorganizations followed laws like the Militia Act of 1903 and the National Defense Act of 1916, shaping the modern dual-status framework used for operations including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and homeland missions supporting agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Organization and Components

The force structure comprises the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, and the Texas State Guard. The Texas Army National Guard includes major subordinate commands such as the 36th Infantry Division, the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and aviation units tied to the Army National Guard. The Texas Air National Guard contains wings like the 136th Airlift Wing and the 147th Attack Wing, operating alongside active-duty counterparts in the United States Air Force. The Texas State Guard functions as a state defense force under statutes like the Title 32 of the United States Code and coordinates with entities such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security during civil support. Headquarters elements link to the Texas Military Department based in Austin, Texas and regional armories in cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and El Paso.

Roles and Missions

Statutory missions include state disaster response under the Texas Disaster Act, civil support operations for incidents involving the Department of Public Safety of Texas, and augmentation of federal forces during mobilization for missions like Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Federal missions derive from mobilization authorities in the United States Code to support combatant commanders in the United States Central Command and United States Northern Command. Domestic tasks have included sheltering and logistics during Hurricane Harvey, infrastructure protection for events such as the Super Bowl LI in Houston, and security support for border operations in cooperation with agencies like United States Customs and Border Protection.

Command and Administration

Command relationships are governed by the Governor of Texas as commander-in-chief at the state level and by the President of the United States for federal activations under Title 10. Administrative control rests with the Adjutant General of Texas and the Texas Military Department, which manage personnel, budgeting, and facilities consistent with regulations from the National Guard Bureau and the Department of Defense. Statutory frameworks include the Militia Act of 1903, Title 32 of the United States Code, and state statutes enacted by the Texas Legislature. Coordination occurs with agencies such as the Governor's Division of Emergency Management and federal partners like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Equipment and Capabilities

Land capabilities include mechanized infantry, armor, and aviation platforms fielded by the Texas Army National Guard such as M2 Bradley, indirect-fire systems, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, and CH-47 Chinook lift aircraft. Air components operate aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, MQ-9 Reaper, and A-10 Thunderbolt II in association with the Air National Guard. Support units provide engineering, medical, logistics, communications, and cyber capabilities leveraging systems standardized by the Department of Defense and maintained under Army National Guard and Air National Guard materiel programs. State-unique assets support civil missions including high-water rescue boats, vertical lift for urban operations, and tactical communications interoperable with Federal Communications Commission and emergency management networks.

Personnel and Training

Personnel include traditional guardsmen in part-time status, full-time technicians, and state-only volunteers in the Texas State Guard. Recruitment and retention rely on incentives administered under state law and federal programs managed by the National Guard Bureau. Training pipelines integrate federal professional military education from institutions such as the United States Army War College, Air University, and the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, plus state mission training at facilities like Camp Mabry, Camp Swift, and joint exercises with entities including the Civil Air Patrol and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Medical readiness, pre-deployment mobilization training, and cyber defense courses prepare units for operations ranging from Operation Iraqi Freedom mobilizations to domestic disaster response.

Category:Military units and formations of Texas