Welcome to the landing page for the 2017 SGAUS Conference!

For information about the conference and the workshops offered:  Information.

For conference registration:    Coming Soon.

For hotel registration:  Hotel.

For family activities and area attractions: Activities & Attractions.

On behalf of the Executive Board and all the members, we wish to express our gratitude for the great partnership our Corporate and individual sponsors have established with our Association.

Please take the time to view the list and visit their web sites by following the link below.

Sponsors

Attention! ROTHCO Products Now in the SGAUS Store

SGAUS has partnered with Rothco, the world’s foremost supplier of military, tactical, outdoor clothing and gear.  We have increased our store offerings from 68 to 1,375 items.  Check us out at the SGAUS and/or Rothco store.

Founded in 1953, Rothco has provided the military clothing and outdoor retailer with top quality merchandise.  Today Rothco serves over 10,000 dealers globally.  While Rothco’s heritage is rooted in authentic military apparel and gear, Rothco also serves the Tactical, Public Safety, Survival & Preparedness, Outdoor & Camping, and Government Suppliers.

You must be a member of SGAUS to access the Rothco store though the SGAUS website.  Price compare our products online, and you will see that our sales prices are below the retail prices of others.

Another value added service is provided to you as a member of SGAUS.  Thank you for your support and your service in your State Defense Force.

Board of Directors, State Guard Association of the United States.

California State Military Reserve Establishes Maritime Component

 ALAMEDA, California, March 18, 2017 – The soldiers and airmen of the California State Military Reserve (CSMR) could be forgiven for not knowing naval protocol for reporting aboard an aircraft carrier. Well-accustomed to working in the field with the California National Guard at Camp Roberts in Central California or at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos near Los Angeles, most CSMR troops had never heard a 1MC announcement, nor had cause to request permission to come aboard a warship – especially not one with the storied history of the decommissioned USS Hornet (CV 12), now pierside in Alameda, CA. Not since World War II had California had an operational maritime component – yet with the official activation of the CSMR Maritime Support Command (MARSCOM) on Saturday, March 18th, the Golden State once again seemed “haze gray and underway.”

 “The Adjutant General, Major General David S. Baldwin, really wanted to see this happen,” said Brigadier General (CA) Frank Emanuel, CSMR’s Commanding General. “The Adjutant General understands that many of our service members bring a wealth of maritime experience to the California Military Department. Some have served in federal maritime services or in civilian maritime professions – either way, we want to maximize the use of their experience and talents in support of the State.”

 The Maritime Component mission is to provide a qualified and ready force to support the California Military Department’s defense support to civil authority and response to natural or manmade disasters.  BG (CA) Emanuel’s vision for the Maritime Component is to maximize the capability within the Naval and Marine forces.  Additionally, Maritime will both lead and support operations in California’s harbors and on its inland waterways by partnering with other organizations (e.g., Coast Guard Auxiliary, Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, CalTrans, etc.) to increase their capacities.

Units of the California State Military Reserve’s Maritime Support Command (MARSCOM) in formation on the hangar deck of decommissioned USS Hornet (CV 12) in advance of the command’s activation ceremony.  Maritime, Army, and Air service members represent California in this joint command. 

While MARSCOM is the operational command that focuses on support to federal, state, and municipal agencies with maritime connections to their missions, the California Maritime Regiment (CMAR) is the maritime service component. CSMR Soldiers and Airmen were offered the opportunity to switch service components to become Sailors, with or without transferring to MARSCOM. Since all CSMR units are joint commands, there is now a mix of Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors serving in important roles throughout the organization.

 Within its various units, MARSCOM is staffed by experienced sea service veterans, former Soldiers and Airmen, and even first-time military volunteers. Whether they are old salts who want to keep serving or new recruits who are joining a military organization for the first time, CMAR and MARSCOM have welcomed all volunteers. “I have a great deal of respect for all of our plankowners. It took personal courage to make the leap to Maritime and to help us build this new organization,” said Captain (CA) Michael Hanson, commander of MARSCOM. “I’m confident that their integrity, skill, and hard work will enable us to make many important contributions to the State of California in the years ahead.”

 The more than 90 Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen of MARSCOM’s five operational units located throughout Northern and Southern California were well-represented aboard the decommissioned USS Hornet, and the historic warship buzzed with the energy of a formal unit commission ceremony. Sideboys rendered honors to the official party as the bosun’s pipe (played by a member of USS Hornet’s Vietnam-era crew) and the CSMR Band filled the ship’s hangar deck with the sounds that traditionally signify important naval events. MARSCOM’s official unit colors were unveiled for the first time and the first watch was officially set.

In a formal activation ceremony aboard decommissioned USS Hornet (CV 12), CSMR MARSCOM Senior Enlisted Advisors display the new command’s official colors for the first time. 

 “In almost 20 years of military service, this is the first time I’ve ever been a unit plankowner,” said Lieutenant (CA) Johan Lai, the commanding officer of MARSCOM’s North Harbor Detachment ONE and a veteran of both the Navy Reserve and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. “Now the real work continues for us:  training, building our capabilities, developing our personnel. We’re part of a proud legacy of state military service, and we can’t rest on our laurels.”

With its complement of Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen participating in major state exercises, State Active Duty emergency activations, and ongoing operational missions with other units across the state, MARSCOM is already providing vital contributions to the CSMR, the California Military Department, and the State of California – and has done so with honor, courage, and commitment.

 CSMR MARSCOM South Shore unit members share the stage with their commanding officer, CSMR’s commanding general, and MARSCOM’s commander aboard decommissioned USS Hornet (CV 12). 

Alaska SDF Participates in Arctic Eagle

 JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — The Alaska National Guard participated in Arctic Eagle 2017, a command post and tabletop exercise, Feb. 22 – 26. Decision makers and supporting players practiced the logistics and coordination required to respond to a state emergency. The Alaska National Guard and other agencies assessed their ability to conduct effective and sustained operations in Arctic conditions.

This year’s exercise was in preparation for Arctic Eagle 2018, a major emergency response exercise that will occur next year, which will test the capabilities and effectiveness of a multi-national, multi-agency response to a major incident in the state.

Arctic Eagle 2017 provided a platform for participants to practice operations in a collaborative environment and integrate new and emerging capabilities for responding to a state emergency in the harsh terrain and weather conditions of northern environments and challenging geographical locations.

The countries of Denmark and Canada partnered with the Alaska National Guard, the Alaska State Defense Force and other agencies, in collaboration with U.S. Northern Command’s Alaskan Command, to apply and respond to scenarios that will prepare them for the 2018 exercise.

“It’s important that we are proficient, equipped and effective at providing support to civil authorities as requested,” said Col. Tony Stratton, Alaska National Guard joint staff director of operations, training and exercises. “We are the first military responders to domestic emergencies, and we must be ready to help Alaskans in times of need.”

The command post exercise, commonly referred to as a “CPX,” employed the scenario of a failing satellite—powered by a nuclear reactor—in a deteriorating orbit, which reentered the earth’s atmosphere and broke apart, scattering radioactive debris on parts of Alaska.

GA SDF Conducts a Mobile Surge Hospital Exercise During Vigilant Guard 2017

 The Air Dominance Center, Savannah, Ga., March 29, 2017 – Members of the Georgia State Defense Force (GA SDF), Georgia Air National Guard (GA ANG), Georgia Army National Guard (GA ARNG), Georgia Department of Public Health (GA DPH), Georgia Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units, Georgia Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and Youth Challenge Academy cadets participated in Mobile Surge Hospital Full Scale Exercise, which is a part of a multi-state training exercise – Vigilant Guard 2017, sponsored by U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with the National Guard Bureau.

GA SDF Chief Surgeon Lt. Col. Michael Greene (left) and Medial Reserve Corps Director Col. John S. Harvey (center) are inspecting the Mobile Surge Hospital on March 29, 2017, as it was set up at Air Dominance Center in Savannah, GA, and prepared for the disaster casualties (role players) arrival during the Vigilant Guard 2017 exercise. Vigilant Guard 2017 Georgia is a multi-state multi-agency training exercise, sponsored by U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with the National Guard Bureau.

The objectives of the exercise were outlined as follows: evaluating the existing response procedures during the catastrophic disasters; to grow the partnership among healthcare organizations, emergency responders, GA SDF, GA ANG, GA ARNG; and to identify areas for improvement.

During the exercise, Lt. Col. Michael Greene, Capt. Lee Duncan and Sgt. Jonathan Melko were assigned to lead the GA SDF Task Force in setting up, running and conducting the security of the Mobile Surge Hospital.

GA SDF Command Surgeon Col. John S. Harvey, who is also a Medical Director of the Medial Reserve Corps, GA DPH, was leading the joint State Medical Assessment Team. GA ANG supported the mission with the airlift by fixed and rotary wings.

GA SDF soldiers assembled the Mobile Surge Hospital at Air Dominance Center (ADC). The Medical Assessment Team and GA SDF Task Force (Medics, Communications, Force Protection and Public Affairs) arrived to ADC from the Dobbins Air Reserve Base (DARB), Marietta, GA by C-130 Hercules aircraft. The Mobile Surge Hospital contains the following sections: Triage, Medical, Trauma and a designated area for overflow patients, as well as an area for health and safety officers.

Youth Challenge Academy cadets were acting as casualties of the disaster. Victims (role players) were delivered by UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters from the “disaster” area in Tybee Island.  Upon arrival to the Mobile Surge Hospital, victims were triaged by the Medical Assessment Team in order to determine the required medical care and distributed to the appropriate section of the hospital for stabilization.

GA SDF Chief Surgeon Lt. Col. Michael Greene walks by the Mobile Surge Hospital on March 29, 2017, that was set up at Air Dominance Center in Savannah, GA, during the Vigilant Guard 2017 exercise. Vigilant Guard 2017 Georgia is a multi-state multi-agency training exercise, sponsored by U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with the National Guard Bureau.

Pfc. Sullivan and Pfc. Cowan were responsible for setting up and running a communications station at the Mobile Surge Hospital exercise area and establishing the line with Vigilant Guard exercise Mobile Operation Center (MOC) in Marietta, GA.

 Joint GA State Medical Assessment Team conducts a triage assessment for the victim of the disaster (role player) as GA State Defense Force soldiers are staying nearby ready to assist during the Vigilant Guard 2017 exercise March 29, 2017, at Air Dominance Center in Savannah, GA. Vigilant Guard 2017 Georgia is a multi-state multi-agency training exercise, sponsored by U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with the National Guard Bureau.

The following observers visited the Mobile Surge Hospital exercise area during the training and observed a dedication, selflessness and excellent team work within the participants.

Maj. Gen. Burton Francisco, Special Assistant to Commander of NORAD, NORTHCOM,

Maj. Gen. Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General, Georgia Department of Defense,

Brig. Gen. Jesse T. Simmons, Jr., Commander, Georgia Air National Guard,

Brig. Gen. Thomas Carden, Jr., Commander, Georgia Army National Guard.

“During the Mobile Surge Hospital Full Scale Exercise members of multiple agencies were working together in realistic scenario,” – said Col. John S. Harvey – “such training will guarantee that a job will be done well if a real disaster should happen.”

GA SDF Mobile Hospital Task Force at Air Dominance Center March 29, 2017, during the Vigilant Guard 2017 exercise March 29, 2017, at Air Dominance Center in Savannah, GA. Vigilant Guard 2017 Georgia is a multi-state multi-agency training exercise, sponsored by U.S. Northern Command, in collaboration with the National Guard Bureau.