Lawrenceville, New Jersey –  Happy Holidays!  Your National Guard is proud to be of service to community and country during this special time.

As of Tuesday, December 18th, the New Jersey National Guard is involved in security, recovery, and logistical support missions, as well as military operations connected with the September 11 Attack on America. At present there are over 1575 NJ National Guard soldiers, airmen, and Naval Militia personnel called to duty for this emergency, both here at home and abroad. To recap some of the missions and operations that the NJ National Guard is currently conducting:

The 108th Air Refueling Wing (108th ARW) of the New Jersey Air National Guard located at McGuire Air Force Base has called approximately 400 personnel to active duty and deployed them to southwest Asia to provide refueling support to coalition forces in the area. These personnel deployed in early December and are expected to be deployed for an extended period. The 108th also continues to fly routine refueling missions in support of the Air Force daily, including refueling the fighters involved in combat air patrols over the northeast corridor. 50 security police were called up in September and sent to Washington, D.C., to assist in providing security for key facilities and government buildings; they remain deployed at this time. 

 The 177th Fighter Wing (177th  FW) of the New Jersey Air National Guard, located at the Atlantic City International Airport, has been flying combat air patrol missions in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) since the morning of Sept. 11.  Several hundred members of the wing are currently on duty for the emergency. Over four hundred of those airmen have been called to federal service by the Presidential Call-up. Security police from the 177th have been called to federal active duty and have deployed to selected Air Force bases nationwide to assist with security. 

 More than 150 soldiers of the 50th Brigade of the NJ Army National Guard were called to duty by the Governor on October 2nd to provide additional security at three of New Jersey’s airports. After strict screening and specialized training by the FAA, these soldiers deployed to Newark, Mercer County, and Atlantic City Airports where they are providing a “highly visible, armed force to enhance existing security and reassure the American people’s faith in flying.” Armed Guard soldiers are stationed at every security checkpoint at each airport. Public reaction to the presence of National Guard soldiers has been very positive. The mission is expected to last four to six months until new federal security measures are in place in the nation’s airports.

More than 75 soldiers from the 50th Brigade of the NJ Army National Guard were deployed on 8 October to augment existing security at the two nuclear power stations in New Jersey following a request from the Governor. No specific threats were identified, but it was considered a prudent precaution to bolster security at these key facilities following the military action in Afghanistan. This mission will continue as long as the need exists.

 Currently the NJ National Guard has more than 240 soldiers augmenting police security at key Port Authority facilities in New Jersey including the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, and PATH facilities. Soldiers are currently from combat units of the 50th Brigade and will rotate units every few weeks. While deployed, the soldiers will be housed at local armories. Duties include security of key buildings and transportation hubs, cargo inspections at river crossings, and traffic control at security checkpoints. The troops deployed full-time on 27 October. The mission will continue as long as the need for their service is identified. 

The 42nd Division Support Command, headquartered at Somerset, NJ is providing on-call transportation support for the donation warehouse at the Military Ocean Terminal, Bayonne. Personnel and trucks are helping to move supplies managed by the Salvation Army to emergency and rescue organizations around the region. Over 1200 tons of donated material has been received, sorted, and transported to date. The Support Command is currently preparing soldiers to take over the security mission on the bridge and tunnels in early February.

The New Jersey National Guard has been operating its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Fort Dix 24/7 since the emergency began. Subordinate operations centers are also working 7 days per week in Somerset, Atlantic City, and Caven Point. 

The New Jersey Naval Militia  (NJNM)has been providing support since the earliest hours of the emergency. Naval Militia personnel man the EOC 24 hours per day and provide trained operations personnel to augment the National Guard on a daily basis. The NJNM has two new security missions which statrted in December. New Jersey Sailors are augmenting DOD security at Lakehurst Naval Engineering Station and manning entrance stations; and the Naval Militia is conducting waterborne patrols at the nuclear power stations using NJNM patrol boats. Naval Militia chaplains and legal personnel continue to support NJ National Guard units in performing their monthly training missions.

 More than 1650 inquiries, requests for information, and interviews have been answered by the Public Affairs Office at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs since the start of the emergency. Additionally, more than 1300 images of operations and consequences of the attack have been processed since 11 September. 
 
 If you have questions regarding NJ National Guard operations or missions, please contact Colonel John Dwyer, Public Affairs Officer at 609-530-6939.