Montana Army National Guard

Last updated

Montana Army National Guard
Montana STARC DUI (from TIOH).jpg
Montana Army National Guard Headquarters DUI
Active1867 - present
Country United States
Allegiance Montana
Branch Army National Guard
TypeARNG headquarters command
Part of Montana National Guard
Garrison/HQ Helena, Montana

The Montana Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

Contents

Montana Army National Guard units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ran ks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards. The Montana Guard also bestows a number of state awards for local services rendered in or to the state of Montana.

The Montana Army National Guard maintains facilities in 28 communities.

History

Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 163rd Armored Brigade 163rd Armored Brigade CSIB.png
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 163rd Armored Brigade

The Montana Army National Guard was originally formed in 1867. The 163d Infantry dates its history to independent companies grouped together around 1900. The Militia Act of 1903 organized the various state militias into the present National Guard system.

The 163rd Infantry Regiment of the Montana Guard formed part of the 41st Infantry Division, which fought through the Pacific during World War II. The Regiment was inducted into the Regular Army in September 1940, and were sent to Camp Murray at Fort Lewis, Washington. They participated in large-scale military exercises in California in 1941. On 7 Dec. 1941 small units were detailed to guard the Washington coastline from Japanese saboteurs. In March 1942 they were sent to Australia. Their engagements included the Battle of Buna-Gona in 1942–1943, the Salamaua-Lae campaign in 1943, Operations Reckless and Persecution and the Battle of Biak in 1944, and the liberation of the Philippines in 1945. In September 1945 the Regiment went ashore at Hiro, Japan as part of the occupation of that country. By this time most of the original Montanan troops had been discharged. [1]

The Montana ARNG maintained the 163rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (whose roots date back to 1884), until 1988. In 1985 its units included the 1/163 Cavalry, the 2/163 Cavalry, the 3/163 Cavalry (based in Texas), an Air Troop, an Attack Helicopter Troop (based in Utah), and the 1063rd Engineer Company. [2] The Montana units of the 163rd Armored Cavalry Regiment were converted and expanded into the 163rd Armored Brigade on 1 September 1988. [3] The 3rd Battalion, 49th Field Artillery of the Wyoming Army National Guard became the brigade direct support artillery battalion. [4] The 163rd Armored Brigade inactivated in 1997 due to budget cuts. [5]

On the disbandment of the 163rd Armored Brigade, the 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry was reassigned to the 116th Cavalry Brigade headquartered in Idaho. 'Commonly referred to as the Griz Battalion, the 1-163rd at first was designated as a Cavalry Regiment in 1953, named the 163rd Cavalry Regiment. The unit was renamed the 1-163rd Infantry Battalion during the 2006 reorganization of the Montana Army National Guard, and was re-designated as Cavalry once again in 2007, combining mechanized infantry with Abrams tank units.' [6] In the 2006 reorganization, the 1st Battalion, 190th Field Artillery at Billings became the 190th Combat Service Support Battalion. [7]

In April 2010, the 1st Battalion, 163rd Cavalry received mobilization orders and prepared to deploy to the Middle East for the second time in five years. [8]

Units and formations

Duties

Montana Army National Guardsmen helping during a wildfire fighting effort Defense.gov News Photo 000802-F-3378P-066.jpg
Montana Army National Guardsmen helping during a wildfire fighting effort

National Guard units can be mobilized at any time by presidential order to supplement regular armed forces, and upon declaration of a state of emergency by the governor of the state in which they serve. Unlike Army Reserve members, National Guard members cannot be mobilized individually (except through voluntary transfers and Temporary Duty Assignments TDY), but only as part of their respective units. However, there has been a significant number of individual activations to support military operations (2001-?); the legality of this policy is a major issue within the National Guard.

Active duty callups

For much of the final decades of the twentieth century, National Guard personnel typically served "One weekend a month, two weeks a year", with a portion working for the Guard in a full-time capacity. The current forces formation plans of the US Army call for the typical National Guard unit (or National Guardsman) to serve one year of active duty for every three years of service. More specifically, current Department of Defense policy is that no Guardsman will be involuntarily activated for a total of more than 24 months (cumulative) in one six-year enlistment period (this policy is due to change 1 August 2007, the new policy states that soldiers will be given 24 months between deployments of no more than 24 months, individual states have differing policies).

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Jersey Army National Guard</span> Military unit of New Jersey, United States of America

The New Jersey Army National Guard consists of more than 6,000 Citizen-Soldiers. The New Jersey Army National Guard is currently engaged in multiple worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germany, Kosovo, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Egypt. The Guard has also deployed to help with the recovery from Hurricane Irma in Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hurricane Maria in Florida and Puerto Rico, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Army National Guard</span> Military unit

The Oregon Army National Guard is a federally mandated and equipped military organization under the civilian direction of the Oregon Military Department, with the Governor of Oregon as its Commander-in-Chief. It responds to state and national emergencies, military conflicts and natural disasters, and conducts search and rescue operations. While the history of the militia dates back to the establishment of the first Oregon militia in 1843, the present Guard was not established until after 1903. The modern Guard includes citizen soldiers, and its motto is "When we are needed, we are there."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the U.S. state of New York

The New York Army National Guard is a component of the New York National Guard and the Army National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the United States Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alabama Army National Guard</span> American military unit, founded 1807

The Alabama Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgia Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the state of Georgia

The Georgia Army National Guard is the Army National Guard component of the Georgia National Guard, administratively part of the Georgia Department of Defense. It consists of more than 11,100 citizen-soldiers training in more than 79 hometown armories and regional facilities across the state. Georgia’s Army Guard is the sixth largest in the nation and includes combat, combat support and combat service support units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idaho Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the state of Idaho

The Idaho Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

The Mississippi Army National Guard is the Army National Guard component of the Mississippi National Guard. It was originally formed in 1798. It is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. It is managed by the Mississippi Military Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the U.S. state of North Carolina

The North Carolina Army National Guard (NCARNG) is North Carolina's principal military force. The force is equipped by the federal government and jointly maintained subject to the call of either. The professional head of the North Carolina Army National Guard is the Adjutant General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the U.S. state of Texas

The Texas Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army, the United States National Guard and the Texas Military Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington Army National Guard</span> Military unit

The Washington Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the Washington National Guard based in Washington. The history of the Washington Army National Guard dates back to 1854 with formation of the Washington Territorial Militia. The command is headquartered at Camp Murray in Pierce County. It consists of 6,200 soldiers in two brigades and various smaller units located throughout the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nebraska Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the U.S. state of Nebraska

The Nebraska Army National Guard is a group of Army National Guard units in the U.S. state of Nebraska. The Adjutant General for these units is Major General Daryl L. Bohac, who was announced as the new Deputy Director of the Army National Guard in May, 2013, and assumed his new duties later in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">191st Infantry Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 191st Infantry Brigade was constituted on 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 191st Infantry Brigade, and assigned to the 96th Division. It was organized in December 1921 at Portland, Oregon, and redesignated on 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 191st Brigade, then redesignated on 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 191st Infantry Brigade. It was converted and redesignated on 6 April 1942 as the 96th Reconnaissance Troop, 96th Division. The Troop was ordered into active military service on 15 August 1942 and reorganized at Camp Adair, Oregon, as the 96th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 96th Infantry Division. It was reorganized and redesignated on 16 August 1943 as the 96th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized, and then again reorganized and redesignated on 20 November 1945 as the 96th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop. Following World War II service with the 96th Infantry Division in the Pacific, it was inactivated on 3 February 1946 at Camp Anza, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment</span> Military unit

The 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment is a battalion of the 68th Armor Regiment, United States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States military beret flash</span>

In the United States (US) Department of Defense, a beret flash is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is typically 2.25 in (5.72 cm) tall and 1.875 in (4.76 cm) wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a military beret. These flashes—a British English word for a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance. The embroidered designs of the Army's beret flashes represent the heraldic colors and patterns of a unit with a unique mission or represent the history of the Army. The Air Force's beret flashes represent an Air Force specialty code (AFSC) with a unique mission. Joint beret flashes—such as those worn by the Multinational Force and Observers and the Joint Communications Support Element—are worn by all who are assigned, given their uniform regulations allow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team</span> Military unit

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team is the largest formation of the Idaho Army National Guard. It is headquartered at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. It has been reorganized into an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) but remains the only unit to be designated a "Cavalry Brigade Combat Team" by special appointment of the US Army. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team has units located throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Nevada. It was reorganized into a heavy armor brigade in 1989. Often referred to as the Snake River Brigade and formerly known as the 116th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the unit includes about 3,000 citizen-soldiers from Idaho.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">155th Armored Brigade Combat Team</span> Military unit

The 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team is a brigade combat team of the Mississippi Army National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">504th Military Intelligence Brigade</span> Military unit

The 504th Military Intelligence Brigade is located at Fort Hood, Texas. The brigade is tasked to improve the situational awareness for commanders at division level or higher, so they can adapt their units combat power for the current operations. For this the Military Intelligence Brigades can deploy unmanned aerial vehicles, signals gathering equipment, human intelligence collectors and long range surveillance patrols. From 2007 to 2015 the 504th served as an expeditionary military intelligence brigade (EMIB) becoming one of three active duty Surveillance Brigades of the United States Army. In 2015, the brigade returned to its original name and mission as the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of III Armored Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">163rd Infantry Regiment (United States)</span> Military unit

The 163rd Infantry Regiment is a regiment of the Montana National Guard. It went overseas with the 41st Infantry Division in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Army National Guard</span> Component of the US Army and military of the U.S. state of Tennessee

The Tennessee Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization. National coordination of various state National Guard units are maintained through the National Guard Bureau.

References

  1. Glynn, Gary. Montana's Home Front During World War II, 2nd ed., Big Elk Books, Missoula. 2012
  2. Isby and Kamps, Armies of NATO's Central Front, Jane's Publishing Company, 1985, p.385. ISBN   0-7106-0341-X
  3. "Helena to get new army tank unit". Independent Record. 18 December 1987. pp.  1A, 8A.
  4. "New raison d'etre for Guard battalion". Casper Star-Tribune. 24 December 1988. p. A3.
  5. "163rd to be deactivated" . Independent Record. 10 September 1997. pp.  1C, 2C via Newspapers.com.
  6. http://www.mtguard.com/MTARNGunits163rd.php, accessed September 2009
  7. Kidston, Martin J. (30 August 2006). "Guard to deactivate two units" . Independent-Record. p. 9A via Newspapers.com.
  8. Record, MARTIN J. KIDSTON Independent. "Guard's 163rd to deploy again to Middle East". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 "Locations". Montana National Guard. 24 November 2022.