Country United States Headquarters Fort Indiantown Gap | Garrison/HQ Fort Indiantown Gap | |
Active As militia: 1747-1870
As reserve: 1870-present Role State Militia
Reserve force Size Full Time: 3,500
Part Time: 15,500 Current
commander Brigadier General Anthony Carrelli Motto "Civilian in peace. Soldier in war." Branches United States Army, United States Air Force Similar United States Army, United States Air Force, California National Guard, Florida National Guard, New Jersey Army Nati Profiles | ||
The Pennsylvania National Guard is composed of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. It is one of the largest National Guards in the United States. It has the third-largest Army National Guard of all the states and the fourth-largest Air National Guard. These forces are respective components of the United States Army and Air Force. The state air and ground national guard forces are governed through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Contents
History
John Oppell Foering noted, "without question the Washington Grays (Philadelphia) have been the parent and pattern of the militia of the City and State, as well as the foundation upon which was erected the magnificent National Guard of Pennsylvania if not of the entire country." The sculpture to the 1st Regiment Infantry National Guard of Philadelphia is positioned adjacent to John Wilson's sculpture Washington Grays Monument.
After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, eight Army and Air Guard units from Pennsylvania were mobilized for duty during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Among ANG units involved were the 193rd Special Operations Wing, flying C-130s modified to transmit radio and television signals, and the 171st Air Refueling Wing. Seemingly the four Army units were scheduled to all return home by May 1991. Every member returned home safely.
Following the end of the Cold War, National Guard State Partnership Programs were established across Europe. In 1993, the Pennsylvania – Lithuania National Guard Partnership was initiated.
Quarterly Magazine
Pennsylvania National Guard Quarterly Magazine - Guardians
Leadership
The command element of the Pennsylvania National Guard is the Joint Staff.
Commander-in-Chief: Governor Tom Wolf
The Adjutant General: - Brigadier General Anthony Carrelli
Deputy Adjutant General - Army: Vacant
Deputy Adjutant General - Air: