2006 Texas Army National Guard

Texas Army National Guard deploys to threats across the globe
and down the street such as responding to hurricanes.

Texas Military Forces

Military Mission
The Texas Guard traces its lineage back to the year 1822 and the Republic of Mexico’s Militia Act organizing two militia districts within the province of Texas along the Brazos and Colorado Rivers.

            In 1828, The Militia Law was passed by the Legislature of Coahuila and Texas establishing one battalion of Infantry in San Felipe de Austin (Austin County) and Nacogdoches (Nacogdoches County) and a cavalry squadron in San Antonio de Bexar (Bexar County) with a separate troop in Goliad (Goliad County). 

            With the onset of the Texian War of Independence, the Texas Permanent Council in Nov-Dec 1835, reorganized and expanded the existing militia companies into a regular infantry and artillery regiment, a cavalry battalion and auxiliary forces.  These organizations continue to this day as the Texas Military Forces composed of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard. 

Associated Sites

            Texas Military Forces are stationed around the state.  The 142d Corps Support Detachment and the 1st Battalion, 111th Engineer Regiment are currently assigned in Abilene. 

Manpower and Motivation

Of the sixty-three FTX! Interpreted Texas Counties, there are numerous guardsmen and facilities.

Activities and Operations

OIF: There have been several thousand Texas Guardsmen deployed to Iraq, to include the majority of organizations in the FTX! interpreted counties.
OEF: Several thousand Texas Guardsmen have deployed to Afghanistan.
KFOR/SFOR: Texas Guardsmen have participated in numerous Stability and Support Operations in Kosovo and Bosnia since 1999, when Texas provided the first National Guard command and control headquarters ever for coalition forces.
MFO:  Currently in the Sinai, there is one Texas Army National Guard Cavalry Squadron from Waco providing observers.
SAD: Texas Military Forces differ from federal forces in that the regularly conduct missions at the order of the governor in support of civil authorities.  Two of the largest missions in recent memory are:
            Columbia:  When STS-107, Columbia broke apart over East Texas, Texas Guardsmen were among the first to provide security and protection.  Several hundred Texas Guardsmen were activated and were the lead state agency present.  The Guardsmen were instrumental in recovering the remains of the seven crewmembers.
            Hurricane Rita:  In the fall of 2005, Texas established Joint Task Force Rita, composed of several thousand soldiers and airmen of the Texas National Guard.  Texas Guardsmen provided life support for the numerous affected East Texas Counties.