Does the Army National Guard Have Special Forces?
The United States Army National Guard, an integral part of the U.S. military, often piques the interest of many due to its unique blend of state and federal roles. One common question that arises is whether the Army National Guard has its own special forces. The answer is yes, the Army National Guard does have special forces units, though they operate under different structures and missions compared to the U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets.
The Army National Guard’s special forces are part of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), which is responsible for the Army’s special operations forces. The National Guard’s special forces are known as the Army National Guard Special Operations Forces (SOF) and are tasked with a variety of missions that range from domestic emergencies to international peacekeeping and combat operations.
The National Guard SOF includes units such as the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), which is the only National Guard unit designated as a Special Forces Group. This group is made up of soldiers who have completed the rigorous Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) and are capable of conducting missions in unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense.
Additionally, the Army National Guard has other specialized units such as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), which is a part of the 160th Special Operations Wing. While not a Special Forces unit per se, the 160th SOAR (A) provides critical aviation support to Special Operations Forces, including the National Guard’s SOF units.
These units are not only trained to operate in the same capacity as their active-duty counterparts but also have the capability to integrate with active-duty Special Forces units when needed. The National Guard’s special forces play a crucial role in maintaining the United States’ military readiness and ensuring that the nation is equipped to respond to a wide array of threats.
The missions of the Army National Guard’s special forces are diverse and include:
1. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): In times of natural disasters or other emergencies, these units can be deployed to provide relief and support to affected areas.
2. Foreign Internal Defense (FID): They assist in training and advising foreign military and security forces to help them develop capabilities to counter internal threats.
3. Counter-terrorism: The National Guard’s special forces can be involved in counter-terrorism operations, both domestically and internationally.
4. Special Reconnaissance: They conduct reconnaissance missions to gather critical intelligence information.
5. Direct Action: These units can execute precision strikes against high-value targets.
In conclusion, the Army National Guard does have special forces, and they play a vital role in the U.S. military’s strategic capabilities. While their roles and missions may differ slightly from those of the active-duty Special Forces, they are no less critical in ensuring national security and preparedness.
