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59-547: The oldest active regiment in the U.S. Army (active, Reserve and National Guard) is the 201st Field Artillery , the "First West Virginia," founded in 1735 as a Virginia militia regiment. The West Virginia National Guard traces its heritage to the 1735 militia company established in Berkeley County by Morgan Morgan. Originally formed for protection against Indian raids, militia units were quickly mobilized when necessary in war time. Militia units provided frontier service in

118-604: A Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Jazz Ensemble, Rock Band, and several other small ensembles including, but not limited to, a Brass Choir, Jazz Quartet, and Percussion Ensemble. Located in Preston County , Camp Dawson is the main training site for the units of the West Virginia National Guard. Comprising over 4,000 acres, Camp Dawson has multiple ranges, training sites, and is home to Dawson Army Airfield (K3G5). The West Virginia Guard also hosts

177-693: A DIV AFT Initial Planning Conference to clarify unit alignments for all eight ARNG Division Headquarters and synchronize activities that will facilitate unity of effort between Division Headquarters and aligned for training States." The Army National Guard fields 37 multifunctional support brigades. In 2016, the Army and the Army National Guard began a training and readiness initiative that aligned some Army brigades with National Guard division headquarters, and some National Guard brigades with Army division headquarters. Among others, this program included

236-520: A key role in the suppression of the labor revolt. Following World War I, the 150th and 201st Infantry Regiments were organized in southern and northern West Virginia, respectively. These units were federalized in January 1941 as President Franklin D. Roosevelt prepared the nation for war. The 150th spent World War II defending the Panama Canal while the 201st provided the first line of defense for

295-401: A local training sortie. That same day the wing received its first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, one of eight C-17s the unit is slated to receive. List of decorations awarded by the West Virginia National Guard 201st Field Artillery Regiment The 201st Field Artillery Regiment (" First West Virginia " ) is a West Virginia Army National Guard regiment. It currently perpetuates

354-536: A national coal strike brought miners out in the New River Gorge, and in 1912–13 when miners struck for union recognition on Paint and Cabin creeks in Kanawha County. Martial law was declared for the strike zone in 1912, and miners and mine guards were sentenced to prison for various violations. ‘‘Mother’’ Jones was among those brought before the court-martial. In 1916, the West Virginia National Guard

413-462: A staff which aids in planning and day-to-day organization and management. In addition to a chief of staff, the Director's staff includes several special staff members, including a chaplain and protocol and awards specialists. It also includes a primary staff, which is organized as directorates, divisions, and branches. The directorates of the Army National Guard staff are arranged along the lines of

472-404: A state's joint force headquarters or regional training institutes are administered as Table of distribution and allowance (TDA) units. In addition to many deployable units which are non-divisional, the Army National Guard's deployable units include eight infantry divisions. These divisions, their subordinate brigades or brigades with which the divisions have a training oversight relationship, and

531-521: A typical American military staff: G-1 for personnel; G-2 for intelligence; G-3 for plans, operations and training; G-4 for logistics; G-5 for strategic plans, policy and communications; G-6 for communications; and G-8 for budgets and financial management. Of the 45 individuals to serve as President of the United States as of 2021 , 33 had military experience. Of those 33, 21 served in the militia or ARNG. (Note: President George W. Bush served in

590-949: Is an organized militia force and a federal military reserve force of the United States Army . It is simultaneously part of two different organizations: the Militia of the United States (consisting of the ARNG of each state, most territories, and the District of Columbia ), as well as the federal ARNG, as part of the National Guard as a whole (which includes the Air National Guard ). It is divided into subordinate units stationed in each state or insular area, responsible to their respective governors or other head-of-government. The Guard's origins are usually traced to

649-703: Is supporting Homeland Security activities, and has deployed troops as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq , Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa , and peace keeping missions in Kosovo . The WVARNG has a three-fold mission: Two units of the West Virginia Army National Guard, the 150th Cavalry Regiment and the 201st Field Artillery Regiment , are among

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708-598: The 38th Division ; the Supply Company became part of the 113th Engineer Train, the Machine Gun Company and 1st Battalion part of the 137th Machine Gun Battalion, Companies E and F part of the 113th Engineer Regiment, and Companies G and H became part of the 113th Ammunition Train. The 3rd Battalion and Headquarters Company (less Band) became part of the 150th Infantry Regiment along with the entire 2nd West Virginia Infantry Regiment. What would become

767-654: The Center for National Response at the Memorial Tunnel in Kanawha County . It was reported on April 24, 2022, after the beginning of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , that West Virginia would be sending a number of M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. The West Virginia Air National Guard is the state's air force militia. It is part of both the United States Air Force and

826-623: The Keep 'Em Flying grassroots organization to try to prevent the unit from being decommissioned. Following an outpouring of community support, money was raised for newspaper ads and radio ads, and to hire analysts familiar with BRAC, all in an attempt to save the unit. On June 13, 2005, members of the BRAC commission came to Charleston to evaluate the base and talk to General Tackett, Governor Joe Manchin , Senator Robert Byrd , Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito and Col. Bill Peters, Jr., former commander of

885-630: The Seattle port of embarkation on 12 September 1941, arriving at Kodiak, Alaska , on 16 September 1941. The 201st transferred to Adak Island in November 1942 and to Amchitka in January 1943 before departing Alaska on 22 March 1944 and returning to the Seattle port of embarkation on 2 April 1944. The regiment moved to Camp Carson, Colorado on 10 April 1944 under the XVI Corps, and was reassigned to

944-486: The State Adjutant General . The Adjutant General (TAG) is the de facto commander of a state's military forces, and reports to the state governor. Several units have been affected by Army National Guard reorganizations. Some have been renamed or inactivated. Some have had subordinate units reallocated to other commands. A partial list of inactivated major units includes: Upon the creation of

1003-591: The United States Air Force in 1947, the National Guard Bureau was organized into two divisions; Army National Guard and Air National Guard . Each were headed by a major general who reported to the chief of the National Guard Bureau . The head of the Army National Guard was originally established as the chief of the Army Division at the National Guard Bureau . The position was downgraded to brigadier general in 1962 due to force reduction. It

1062-512: The 1201st Forward Support Company, which are attached to the regiment. Blazon: Symbolism: Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 201st Infantry Regiment on 21 November 1929. It was redesignated for the 201st Armored Field Artillery Battalion on 20 July 1953. It was redesignated for the 201st Artillery Regiment on 18 July 1960. The insignia was redesignated for the 201st Field Artillery Regiment on 19 July 1972. Army National Guard The Army National Guard ( ARNG )

1121-574: The 130th and chair for Keep 'Em Flying. Following this visit, and taking in all the information that was presented to them during that time, the BRAC commission voted unanimously, 9–0, to keep the unit intact. Since the September 11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., the unit has had members deployed to the Afghan and Iraq wars. Unit members have received six Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts in support of these operations. In December 2006,

1180-671: The 167th is flying the C-17 Globemaster III and the 130th is flying the C-130 Hercules in support of operations worldwide. In addition, the 130th and the 167th Wings took part in Operation Desert Shield . Both units report to Air Mobility Command . On 13 May 2005, the Department of Defense released its Base Realignment and Closure, 2005 (BRAC) report, and the 130th Airlift Wing was one of

1239-596: The 167th received its first C-5 Galaxy , out of a total of 11 aircraft. In February 2012, the Force Structure Overview was released by the Secretary of the Air Force . The document detailed numerous aircraft changes throughout the active, Guard and Reserve forces, including the replacement of the unit's C-5 aircraft with C-17s. On September 25, 2014, the 167th Airlift Wing flew its final C-5 mission,

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1298-439: The 201st Infantry was demobilized from January–June 1919 as the various elements of the 38th Division noted above. The 1st West Virginia Infantry was rerganized from 1924–27, and was redesignated the 201st Infantry on 11 May 1926. The regimental headquarters was organized on 17 December 1927 and federally recognized at Fairmont, West Virginia . The headquarters was relocated on 5 June 1930 to Morgantown, West Virginia . The regiment

1357-660: The 201st returned to their home base in May, 1991. The "First West Virginia" did not lose a single soldier during the war. In December 2003, the 201st was again called to active duty for Operation Iraqi Freedom . The soldiers trained at Fort Drum , New York in January and February, 2004 before going overseas. While in theater, the battalion was subordinated to the 197th Fires Brigade of the New Hampshire National Guard and commanded by Colonel James Guise. The 197th reported directly to III Corps Artillery, under

1416-746: The 38th Infantry Division. The Second Regiment was reorganized and redesignated as the 150th Infantry while the First Regiment was broken up into support units. The 150th Infantry landed in Europe at the end of the war and saw no action in that conflict. One of the West Virginian National Guard's most infamous actions was when it took part in the Battle of Blair Mountain , the largest labor uprising in American history. It played

1475-588: The ARNG may be ordered, temporarily or indefinitely, into United States service. If mobilized for federal service, the member or unit becomes part of the U.S. ARNG, which is a reserve component of the U.S. Army . Individuals volunteering for active federal service may do so subject to the consent of their governors. Largely on the basis of a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision , governors generally cannot veto involuntary activations of individuals or units for federal service, either for training or national emergency. The President may also call up members and units of

1534-527: The ARNG, in its status as the militia of the several states, to repel invasion, suppress rebellion, or enforce federal laws. The Army National Guard is one of two organizations administered by the National Guard Bureau , the other being the Air National Guard . The Director of the ARNG is the head of the organization, and reports to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau. Because the ARNG is both

1593-660: The Aleutian Islands. The National Guard was dramatically changed after World War II. Artillery units, transportation, and engineering units were added to the 150th Infantry Regiment. Probably the biggest change, however, was the addition of a combat fighter squadron, bringing an important aviation component to the Guard Since World War II, the Army and Air National Guard has served in a number of capacities, lending aid to West Virginians during natural disasters caused by periodic flooding and to victims of

1652-691: The French and Indian War and during Dunmore’s War. Men from Western Virginia fought on all fronts in the Revolutionary War. During the War of 1812, Western Virginia militia units took part in the Northwest campaigns, and one company of Cabell County troops fought alongside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Cabell, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties provided infantry regiments for service in

1711-565: The Mexican War of 1846-1848. In 1861, the 81st Virginia General Assembly voted to secede from the United States following the Battle of Fort Sumter . However, opposition to secession and slavery as well as anti-Confederate, Pro-Union sentiments were strong in Northwestern Virginia. The counties that now compose of present-day West Virginia voted to secede from Virginia and establish their own separate, pro-Union state, and

1770-641: The National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team becoming affiliated with the Army's 10th Mountain Division and the National Guard's 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment affiliating with the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team . In addition, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division began an affiliation with the National Guard's 36th Infantry Division . Army units partnering with Army National Guard headquarters include: The Army and Air National Guard in each state are headed by

1829-515: The National Guard. The ARNG's portion of the president's proposed federal budget for Fiscal Year 2018 is approximately $ 16.2 billion to support an end strength of 343,000, including appropriations for personnel pay and allowance, facilities maintenance, construction, equipment maintenance and other activities. Deployable Army units are organized as Table of organization and equipment (TOE) organizations or modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE) organizations. Non-deployable units, such as

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1888-716: The Virginia elements of the Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment , which fought in the American Revolution. Organized by Colonel Morgan Morgan in Bunker Hill, West Virginia in 1735, it is one of the oldest continually-active regiments in the U.S. Army, and the oldest unit in the West Virginia Army National Guard. Units also saw action on both sides of the American Civil War, with many companies of

1947-502: The West Virginia National Guard's separate identity truly began to coalesce during this period. West Virginia provided some 40,000 men for service in both Northern and Southern forces. Many enlisted in the regiments of bordering states, especially Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These troops primarily saw service on West Virginia soil or in the Valley of Virginia. Federal and Confederate units from West Virginia were present at both

2006-651: The West Virginia National Guard. The West Virginia Air National Guard was officially federally recognized on March 7, 1947, as the 167th Fighter Squadron, based at Kanawha Airport in Charleston. During the early years of the 167th, it flew the T-6 Texan trainer, P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt . The unit was activated October 10, 1950 during the Korean War, and was designated the 167th Fighter Bomber Squadron when it returned on July 10, 1952. In December 1955,

2065-610: The XXXVI Corps on 17 July 1944. Beginning in April 1944, the regiment provided an accelerated six-week course of infantry training (four weeks of familiarization, qualification, and transition firing, and two weeks of tactical training) to men who were formerly members of disbanded anti-aircraft and tank destroyer units or who had volunteered for transfer to the infantry from other branches of the Army. It relocated to Fort Jackson , South Carolina, on 10 September 1944 under IX Corps and

2124-748: The attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, than at any other time in its history. Elements of the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard served in action in Afghanistan and in Iraq. The leadership of the West Virginia National Guard includes: The West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) is the United States Army component of the West Virginia National Guard. It has 38 units and activities stationed in 22 counties throughout West Virginia and overseas. The WV ARNG

2183-681: The century when it consisted of two bands, the 201st Infantry Band in Morgantown, WV and the 150th Infantry Band in Bluefield, WV. Upon release from federal service in World War Two, these two bands were consolidated into the current 249th and was stationed in Fairmont, West Virginia. In 1995, the 249th was stationed in Morgantown. The band is made up of members from throughout the state as well as surrounding states. These personnel make up

2242-468: The city of Salem, Massachusetts , in 1636. That year a regiment of militia drilled for the first time to defend a multi-community area within what is now the United States. The ARNG operates under Title 10 of the United States Code when under federal control, and Title 32 of the United States Code and applicable state laws when under state control. It may be called up for active duty by

2301-595: The coal refuse dam break on Buffalo Creek in 1972. As part of its military mission, elements of the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard were activated for duty during the Korean War, the war in Vietnam, the Gulf War of 1991, the Iraq War, in support of the peacekeeping mission to Bosnia in 1997–98, and more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The West Virginia National Guard was mobilized more frequently after

2360-734: The command of Brigadier General Richard Formica . The unit spent one year in Iraq before returning home in February 2005. The Battalion Headquarters (HHB) operated out of Camp Cedar II and Tallil Airbase , both of which are approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of An Nasiriyah in the Dhi Qar province of Iraq. B Battery and Service Battery were co-located with the HHB. A Battery operated out of Convoy Support Center (CSC) Scania and C Battery operated out of CSC Navistar in Kuwait . The Battalion's mission

2419-656: The first land battle of the war at Philippi and at the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. A few ceremonial and social militia companies were formed after the Civil War, but the state did nothing to encourage their formation. Although violence during the Railroad Strike of 1877 led industrialists to plead for more militia companies, organization of the militia continued to be slow due to a lack of popular and legislative support. However, national labor problems and

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2478-635: The formation of the National Guard Association as a lobbying group resulted in federal legislation that furnished funding and material for Guard companies. In 1889, the West Virginia legislature renamed the militia the West Virginia National Guard and provided state support. The First Infantry Regiment was organized in northern West Virginia and the Second Infantry Regiment in southern West Virginia. In 1898,

2537-559: The militia of the several states and a federal reserve component of the Army, neither the Chief of the National Guard Bureau nor the Director of the ARNG "commands" it. This operational command authority is performed in each state or territory by the State Adjutant General , and in the District of Columbia by the Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard when a unit is in its militia status. While under federal activation,

2596-402: The nineteen Army National Guard units with campaign credit for the War of 1812 . The 150th served with the 38th Infantry Division between the wars, served in the Panama Canal Zone during World War II , and was an armored cavalry regiment for a time after World War II. West Virginia is also home to the 249th Army Band, stationed in Morgantown, WV. The band's history dates back to the turn of

2655-415: The operational command authority is transferred to the commanders of the unified combatant commands , who command all U.S. forces within their area of responsibility . The Chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Director of the ARNG serve as the channel of communications between the Department of the Army and the ARNG in each state and territory, and administer federal programs, policies, and resources for

2714-500: The regiment also trained some 26 company-grade infantry officers of the 100th Division at Camp Dawson. The regiment was relieved from assignment to, and attached to, the Second Army on 30 December 1940. On 6 January 1941 the 201st was inducted into federal service at Morgantown , West Virginia, and moved to Fort Benjamin Harrison , Indiana , on 10 January 1941 where it was attached to the Second Army . The regiment staged at Camp Murray , Washington, on 5 August 1941 until it departed

2773-423: The regiment combined to form the Union Army's 1st West Virginia Infantry . Headquartered in Fairmont, West Virginia , the 201st Field Artillery employs the M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, and is part of the 197th Field Artillery Brigade , which is part of the New Hampshire Army National Guard . During World War I, the 1st West Virginia Infantry Regiment was broken up and assigned to various units of

2832-402: The river from the Green Zone) for the first elections while the rest of the unit and battalion trained their replacements. Today, 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery Regiment is the only active squadron in the regiment. Battery A, B, and C each field the M109A6 Paladin, a self-propelled howitzer utilizing a 155mm main cannon. The "First West Virginia" is also complemented by two detachments from

2891-427: The state or territorial governors to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, as well as civil disorder . The District of Columbia Army National Guard is a federal militia, controlled by the President of the United States with authority delegated to the Secretary of Defense , and through him to the Secretary of the Army . Members or units of

2950-449: The states represented by the largest units include: Army Aviation Magazine wrote on 31 March 2021 that "The ARNG is pressing forward with the Division Alignment for Training (DIV AFT) effort. The DIV AFT intent is to enhance leader development and training readiness through codified relationships across echelons and states to develop combat capable division formations for large scale combat operations. The Director, ARNG. recently convened

3009-599: The two regiments were merged into one for service in the Spanish-American War. The First West Virginia Volunteer Infantry was stationed in Georgia. Later, another regiment was formed, the Second West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, which served in Pennsylvania during the war. The militia or National Guard was activated for service in areas of labor unrest in 1877, 1880, 1894, 1902, and 1912. Though there were hundreds of strikes during this period, most were controlled by local police authorities. When this failed, troops were called to duty. The most prolonged service took place in 1902 when

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3068-450: The unit was redesignated as the 167th Fighter Interceptor Squadron , and relocated to Eastern West Virginia Region Airport in Martinsburg, WV. Today the West Virginia Air National Guard is composed of two airlift units, the 130th Airlift Wing based at Charleston Air National Guard Base in Charleston, West Virginia , and the 167th Airlift Wing based at Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base in Martinsburg, West Virginia . As of 2015,

3127-414: The units slated to be eventually decommissioned. Its complement of eight C-130H aircraft would be realigned to Pope Air Force Base , and its complement of expeditionary combat support (ECS) personnel to the 167th Airlift Wing. Upon learning of this, several former commanders of the 130th Airlift Wing along with members of the local Kanawha County Commission and the Yeager Airport Board of Directors formed

3186-444: Was activated for 180 days unless sooner released or later extended. The 201st left Fairmont and went to Fort Campbell , Kentucky for training. It joined XVIII Corps Artillery, 18th Field Artillery Brigade . On the exact 256th anniversary of its founding, the unit fired 256 rounds downrange at Iraqi forces. David Tucker was a chaplain 's assistant of the unit at the time and noted this in a letter to The Fairmont Times . The units of

3245-407: Was activated in response to President Woodrow Wilson’s call for troops to pursue Pancho Villa on the Mexican border. Again, the regiments were merged and the Second West Virginia Volunteer Infantry was sent to the border. After several months the unit returned home, only to be federalized within weeks for service in World War I. The Second Regiment and a newly recruited First Regiment were absorbed into

3304-448: Was assigned to XXIII Corps on 25 September 1944. It arrived at Camp Rucker (now Fort Novosel ), Alabama, on 3 March 1945 under the Replacement & School Command and was inactivated there on 26 September 1945. Following the war’s end the 201st reverted to state control where it was reorganized and redesignated as the 201st Field Artillery Battalion. In December 1990, the unit was called to serve in Operation Desert Storm . The unit

3363-568: Was assigned to the Second Army on 1 October 1933. The regiment, or elements thereof, were called up to perform the following state duties: 1st Battalion called up to perform martial law in connection with a mine explosion at Everettville, West Virginia , 1–5 May 1927; Headquarters Company to perform firefighting duties at Terra Alta, West Virginia , 9–10 February 1934. The regiment conducted annual summer training most years at Camp Dawson, West Virginia, and some years at Camp William G. Conley, West Virginia, from 1921–40. For at least three years (1931–33)

3422-439: Was convoy security and route clearance for Main Supply Route (MSR) Tampa, the primary route for supplies in Iraq at the time. C Battery would later move north to Camp Cedar II and Tallil Airbase and continue convoy security. Some members of C Battery were also attached to the 1st Cav Division in Jan 2005 to provide extra security in Baghdad (they were stationed in the Hotel District: the Baghdad, Palestine and Sheraton Hotels across

3481-411: Was renamed to Director of the Army National Guard and elevated back to major general in 1970. The position was later elevated to the rank of lieutenant general in 2001. The Army National Guard is also authorized a deputy director which was originally established as a brigadier general office in 1970. It was elevated to the rank of major general in 2006. The director of the Army National Guard oversees

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