| Headquarters, State Area Command Rhode Island Army National Guard |
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|---|---|
Rhode Island STARC Shoulder Sleeve insignia |
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| Active | |
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | Rhode Island |
| Branch | Army National Guard |
| Type | ARNG Headquarters Command |
| Part of | Rhode Island National Guard |
| Garrison/HQ | 645 New London Ave, Cranston, RI 02920 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
MG Robert Bray |
The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) is the land force militia for the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It was established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the United States Code[1][2] and operates under the command of the state governor. The National Guard is the only United States military force empowered to function under arms in a state status, so they may be called up for active duty by the governor to help respond to domestic emergencies and disasters, such as those caused by hurricanes, floods, or civil unrest.
With the consent of the governor, members or units of the Rhode Island Army National Guard may be appointed, temporarily or indefinitely, to be federally recognized armed force members, in the active or inactive service of the United States. If federally recognized, the member or unit becomes part of the Army National Guard of the United States[3][4][5], which is a reserve component of the United States Army. Army National Guard of the United States units or members may be called up for federal active duty in times of Congressionally sanctioned war or national emergency.
The President may also call up members and units of the Rhode Island Army National Guard, with the consent of the state governor, to repel invasion, suppress rebellion, or execute federal laws if the United States or any of its states or territories are invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation, or if there's a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the federal government, or if the President is unable with the regular armed forces to execute the laws of the United States. Because both state Army National Guard and the Army National Guard of the United States relatively go hand-in-hand, they are both usually referred to as just Army National Guard.
The Rhode Island Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard and are maintained by the National Guard Bureau. Members and units are trained and equipped as part of the United States Army. The same ranks and insignia are used and National Guardsmen are eligible to receive all United States military awards in addition to state awards.
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The Rhode Island National Guard was established from the First Colonial Defensive Force on May 13, 1638 called the "Traine Band" in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The new force was founded as, “Freemen as a militia subject to call and expected to perform certain military duties in the protection of the people.”[6]
The Rhode Island Militia undertook its first military actions against England on July 19, 1769 when they sunk the British schooner HMS Liberty in Newport, Rhode Island. Three years later, on the night of June 10, 1772, now under Captain Abraham Whipple's command, the militia seized and burned the British schooner HMS Gaspée in Narragansett Bay. On April 22, 1775, following the Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts, the Rhode Island General Assembly created a 1,500 man "Army of Observation" under the command of Brigadier General Nathanael Greene and sent them to Boston to serve in the new Continental Army under General George Washington. Major General James Mitchell Varnum was also involved in the war effort. Over twenty Rhode Island units had fought for independence including the First Rhode Island Continentals who stood at Yorktown for the surrender of British General Cornwallis. After the war, the militia reorganized into five brigades: the Bristol County, the Kent County, the Newport County, the Providence County, and the Washington County Brigades. In 1916, Light Battery "A", Rhode Island Field Artillery, was called into federal service on June 19, 1916 for duty with General John J. Pershing to fight against Poncho Villa during the Mexican Expedition. The following year, Battery "A", Rhode Island Field Artillery, expanded to form the 1st Battalion, 103d Field Artillery, an element of the 26th "Yankee" Division during World War I.
During World War II, the majority of the Rhode Island National Guard units belonged to the 43rd Infantry Division under General Douglas MacArthur for service in the Southwest Pacific, fighting in the New Guinea, Northern Solomons, and Luzon campaigns.
During the Korean War, the Rhode Island National Guard had units serving with the 43rd Infantry Division in Germany and the 705th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion on the island of Okinawa.
During the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, the Rhode Island National Guard had two units called to Federal service. The 107th Signal Company was activated on May 13, 1968 and served in the Republic of Vietnam until October 1969. The 115th Military Police Company was activated for duty at West Point, NY until December 1969.
During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm the Rhode Island National Guard had four units mobilized for duty. The 143rd Airlift Wing, out of Quonset Point, flew military airlift mission from the U.S. into Europe transporting passengers and cargo. The 118th Military Police Battalion conducted Enemy Prisoner of War detainee operations, the 119th Military Police Company oversaw three POW camps, and the 115th Military Police Company provided base security, VIP escort and security and custom missions. The current War on Terror has seen the largest mobilization and deployment of Rhode Island National Guard troops since the World War I.
Mission: Provide well-trained, well-led, and well-equipped mission-ready units in support of the National Military Strategy and, as required, state and local officials.
Vision: A ready, relevant, and reliable force of Citizen Soldiers capable of conducting full-spectrum operations in joint and interagency environments.[7]
43rd Military Police Brigade
56th Troop Command
Special Operations Detachment - Global
RI Medical Command
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