Following the announcement by U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and Homeland Security Director, Governor Tom Ridge that there was a credible basis for increasing the threat level from yellow to orange, (the second highest threat level possible), more than 400 Army National Guard troops reported to armories throughout the state.  Maintenance personnel at various locations ensured that equipment was ready, communications were functioning, and that vehicles were fueled and positioned for immediate service.  Full-time support staff also verified that alert rosters were accurate and that additional Guard personnel would be available should the size or scope of the mission escalate.
 

Caption:Troops from the New Jersey Army National Guard await orders during the September 11th “Alert.” Regardless of their specific area of expertise (armor, artillery, aviation, etc.) all soldiers are fully trained and qualified in basic combat skills to include proficiency with the M-16 automatic rifle, the standard weapon issued to most troops.  With 32 active Armories spread throughout the state, Guard units are only moments away from responding to emergency situations regardless of location.

National Guard Liaison Officers also were assigned to the State Police Emergency Operations office in West Trenton and other locations to ensure close coordination with the New Jersey State Police.  According to Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Devery, Spokesperson for the National Guard, the troops were not deployed to specific locations but remained ready to respond wherever and whenever needed.

The New Jersey Army National Guard has more than 6,000 troops available for service while the Air National Guard has more than 2,500.  There are active National Guard Armories in 20 of the state’s 21 counties (Passaic County is the exception); Air Guard units are stationed at McGuire Air Force Base and the Atlantic City International Airport.

In it’s traditional role as a state militia, ensuring public safety, the National Guard does not have law enforcement authority and therefore, works in close cooperation with the State Police or other law enforcement personnel.  More than 1,700 Guardsmen were mobilized for service at the Hudson River bridges and tunnels, major airports, and the state’s two nuclear power facilities following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001.  At this time, Guardsmen remain on duty only at the two nuclear sites.

Personnel and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft from the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing were placed on federal active duty immediately following reports of the first civilian airliner crashing into the World Trade Center, also continue to provide CAP (combat air patrols) in the skies over the northeast quadrant of North America to include New York City and Washington D.C.
Other citizen -soldiers from both the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard have been deployed around the world to participate in Operation “ Enduring Freedom”  the global war against terror as well as  Operation “Noble Eagle” the Homeland Security operation.

According the Brigadier General Rieth, the National Guard is New Jersey’s “Home Town Team” with roots deep in local communities.  “We add tremendous value to America, serve our local communities, and make New Jersey a much better and safer place in which to live, work, and raise our families.  Our armories are centers for community activity, scouting, and available to host a wide variety of local events from recreational to cultural to commercial.”

In addition to constantly training to serve its national defense (combat) mission and the current involvement in Homeland Defense and Homeland Security missions, the Guard also is actively involved in Drug Interdiction and Drug Demand Reduction programs in support of the State Police, DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), ATF (Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms), and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and conducts the ChalleNGe Youth program at Fort Dix.  Army Guard Aviation units also have been involved in a diverse assortment of “non-traditional” missions to include transporting high profile prisoners for the U.S. Marshall’s Service and assisting the FBI by transporting anthrax samples collected at the Hamilton Postal facility to the Army’s Medical Research Facility at Ft Detrick, Maryland for analysis.