Arkansas National Guard

Arkansas National Guard
Government of Arkansas · Public domain · source
Unit name	Arkansas National Guard
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army National Guard and United States Air National Guard
Type	National Guard
Garrison	Little Rock Air Force Base and Camp Robinson
Engagements	American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), Iraq War

Arkansas National Guard. The Arkansas National Guard is a component of the United States National Guard and comprises the Arkansas Army National Guard and the Arkansas Air National Guard. The organization is headquartered at Camp Robinson and Little Rock Air Force Base, with the Adjutant General of Arkansas serving as its commander. The Governor of Arkansas is the commander-in-chief of the Arkansas National Guard, which has been involved in various conflicts, including the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), and Iraq War, alongside other United States Armed Forces units such as the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force.

● History

The history of the Arkansas National Guard dates back to the American Civil War, when the state of Arkansas seceded from the United States and joined the Confederate States of America. The Arkansas State Militia was formed during this period, with units such as the 1st Arkansas Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Arkansas Infantry Regiment fighting in battles like the Battle of Shiloh and the Battle of Pea Ridge. After the war, the Arkansas State Militia was reorganized and became part of the United States National Guard. During World War I, the Arkansas National Guard was mobilized and served in France alongside units like the American Expeditionary Forces and the Allies of World War I. The organization also played a significant role in World War II, with units such as the 153rd Infantry Regiment and the 206th Field Artillery Regiment participating in battles like the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. The Arkansas National Guard has also been involved in more recent conflicts, including the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), and Iraq War, working alongside other units like the United States Central Command and the International Security Assistance Force.

● Organization

The Arkansas National Guard is organized into the Arkansas Army National Guard and the Arkansas Air National Guard. The Arkansas Army National Guard is composed of units such as the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, while the Arkansas Air National Guard is composed of units like the 188th Fighter Wing and the 189th Airlift Wing. The organization is headquartered at Camp Robinson and Little Rock Air Force Base, with the Adjutant General of Arkansas serving as its commander. The Arkansas National Guard is also part of the United States National Guard Bureau, which is responsible for the administration and operation of the United States National Guard. Other organizations that the Arkansas National Guard works with include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Department of Defense, and the National Guard Bureau.

● Units

The Arkansas National Guard is composed of various units, including the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, the 188th Fighter Wing, and the 189th Airlift Wing. These units are equipped with a range of equipment, including the M4 carbine, the M109 howitzer, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the C-130 Hercules. The Arkansas National Guard also has units that specialize in areas like military police, engineer, and signal corps, which work alongside other units like the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Army Signal Corps. Other units that the Arkansas National Guard works with include the United States Army Reserve, the United States Navy Reserve, and the United States Air Force Reserve.

● Deployments

The Arkansas National Guard has been deployed to various locations around the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo. The organization has also been involved in humanitarian missions, such as providing aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey. The Arkansas National Guard has worked alongside other units like the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force during these deployments. Other organizations that the Arkansas National Guard has worked with during deployments include the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the European Union.

● Equipment

The Arkansas National Guard is equipped with a range of equipment, including the M4 carbine, the M109 howitzer, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the C-130 Hercules. The organization also has access to equipment like the Humvee, the M1 Abrams, and the UH-60 Black Hawk. The Arkansas National Guard has also invested in new technologies, such as drones and cybersecurity systems, to enhance its capabilities. Other equipment that the Arkansas National Guard uses includes the M16 rifle, the M240 machine gun, and the M777 howitzer, which are also used by other units like the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps.

● Notable Members

The Arkansas National Guard has had several notable members, including Orval Faubus, who served as the Governor of Arkansas during the Little Rock Nine crisis, and Winthrop Rockefeller, who served as the Governor of Arkansas and was a member of the Rockefeller family. Other notable members include Asa Hutchinson, who served as the Governor of Arkansas and was a member of the United States House of Representatives, and Mark Pryor, who served as a United States Senator and was a member of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services. The Arkansas National Guard has also had members who have received awards like the Medal of Honor, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star Medal, which are also awarded to members of other units like the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps.