The National Guard is integral to the U.S. military, and it is changing to remain effective for the future, Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, said Jan. 25. He spoke to challenges facing the NG and its 430,000 service members. They were among forces who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq and that currently has 22,000 service members deployed in Europe and the Middle East. They perform missions for state governors and to help Americans in the aftermath of disasters.
Regarding changes ahead, the general:
* Has the "Health Care for Our Troops Act ... on my radar" that would provide about 60,000 NG and reserve components with premium-free medical insurance.
* Is adamant that guardsmen performing the same duties as active-duty counterparts should get the same pay and benefits. "Duty-status reform goes a long way to address this inequity."
* Says on the operational side, the ANG will modernize brigades and divisions to produce all-domain combat forces aligned with the Army by making rotations more predictable and giving guardsmen more leadership opportunities.
* Says there is a need to keep all of its 25 reserve Air Force fighter squadrons and modernize their aircraft to provide combat capability and strategic depth for deterring adversaries. (National Guard Bureau 01/25/23) Leaders Detail Future of National Guard > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News
Gulf Coast Note: Air National Guard fighter units regionally include the 122d Fighter Squadron of the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana. The 122d is equipped with the F-15C/D Eagle. The 100th Fighter Squadron (100 FS) is a unit of the Alabama Air National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing located at Dannelly Field, Alabama. The 100th is equipped with the General Dynamics F-16C+ Fighting Falcon.
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