National Guard Initiative

Virginia National Guard

Current State:

The National Guard was dual-tasked in the past.  In wartime, the nation expected the National Guard to fulfill its mission overseas; in peacetime, the nation expected the National Guard to be available for domestic emergencies.  Since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, however, the National Guard is being called upon to do both at the same time, not by accident but because our nation’s enemies may attack us in both places at once. The Defense Department and the Commonwealth of Virginia have depended heavily on the National Guard to the point that many of the nation’s as well as state’s accomplishments would not have been possible without the Virginia National Guard (VaNG).

Several critical Homeland Security and Homeland Defense missions have been assigned to the VaNG, which requires a much more expansive communications capability.  Interoperability with federal, state, and local authorities is the prime requirement.  Current VaNG communications capability during emergencies where standard telephone and cellular service are not available or reduced is limited to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) and a small quantity of High Frequency Band (HF) Radios.  This system, while adequate for communication between Army units in a tactical field environment and with VaNG personnel in fixed locations (National Guard Armories), does not provide the capability to communicate with federal, state, and local agencies to an adequate degree. Mobile and portable communications are very limited.  In addition, as a result of the Global War on Terrorism with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the availability of SINCGARS radios has been diminished.

The 34th Civil Support Team (34th CST) is assigned to the VaNG.  This unit has equipment configured for mobile and portable communications, which are adequate to meet current requirements.  However, the 34th’CST’s mission is to respond to a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) strike and is subject to be called away worldwide within 48 hours notice.  Also, the 34th CST does not have enough of the required equipment for the VaNG to support the Commonwealth overall. 

Desired Future State:

The VaNG seeks Interoperability as defined by DoD, which is “the ability of systems, units or forces to provide services to and accept services from other systems, units, or forces and to use the services so exchanged to enable them to operate effectively together.” The desired future end state for the VaNG is to be interoperable at all levels of command with Public Safety Agencies at the local, state and federal levels within the geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also to identify and train VaNG personnel to operate all Public Safety communications equipment and integrate all systems to protect and defend the Commonwealth.   

The VaNG must obtain a higher level of Interoperability with all military responders and local, state, and federal agencies responding to natural and man-made disasters.  By increasing the current capability from one disaster location to the ability to respond to multiple disasters in various geographic areas of the state, the VaNG seeks to expand its communications capabilities such that it can transmit and receive at the HF, VHF, UHF, 700/800 MHz, SATCOM and Ku Band Satellite systems.  This requirement implies fixed, mobile, and portable platforms, operating at a Level 3 of Interoperability.  By the purchase of a JPS-Raytheon ACU-1000 cross band repeater and various mobile and portable radios and repeaters, such as the Incident Commander’s Radio Interface we will enhance the ability to achieve Level 5 Interoperability.  This also includes one (1) 34th CST – Unified Command Suite (UCS), which is already deployed, to become a Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) user, having statewide Interoperability with local, state and federal responders.  It also includes one (1) additional UCS to be assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters- Virginia (JFHQ-VA) of the VaNG and designated as the Adjutant General’s Tactical Command Post.

Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET) and Non-secure (Non-Classified and Unclassified) Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) data channels are required in order to provide the ability for secured and unsecured voice, data, and video (Secure VTC) communications.  Finally, a failsafe means of communications with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center is required, utilizing microwave technology to and from the VaNG Joint Operations Center (JOC).

Training through annual exercises with the above described communications equipment is part of the desired future end state as are redundant power sources, transportation resources, equipment storage, and operator and planning personnel.

The Justification for Change:

Under certain emergency conditions the VaNG is required to assume responsibilities for missions currently covered by other agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol, which is funded by the Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and possibly even the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Because of this the DoD recently released the Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support, a first-ever document that addresses DoD’s roles in the homeland defense mission and support to civil authorities.  The Strategy for Homeland Defense and Civil Support articulates strategic goals and objectives and provides direction to relevant Homeland Defense activities across the nation.  These activities include deterring and preventing attacks, protecting critical defense and designated civilian infrastructure, providing situational understanding, and preparing for and responding to incidents.  The strategy transforms homeland defense and civil support capabilities and will improve significantly DoD’s ability to counter threats of the 21st Century.

The strategy defines strategic objectives in a “lead, support, enable” framework.  The department has the lead role in providing for the defense of the United States, is an important government partner in providing support to civil authorities, and actively seeks to enable domestic and international partners to improve their homeland defense and homeland security contributions.  The strategy focuses on building needed transformational capabilities, enhanced maritime awareness and response capability, strengthened allied contributions to collective security, and improved support to civil authorities.

When directed by the Governor or appropriate state authority, VaNG forces and assets in state active duty status must respond quickly to perform homeland defense and homeland security activities within the geographic boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Newly expanded authorities under Title 32 of the US Code – and the VaNG on-going transformation – provide the Governor and state authorities with the authority to use flexible responsive VaNG units to perform homeland defense activities, when approved by the Secretary of Defense.  For example, VaNG forces may, when the Secretary of Defense determines doing so is both necessary and appropriate, provide security for critical infrastructure and support civilian law enforcement agencies in responding to terrorist acts. 

The VaNG simply must improve its Interoperability and must do so now.  As stated above, we do not have the equipment, personnel, or training to accomplish our Homeland Security/Homeland Defense missions.

Requested Support From the Commonwealth of Virginia:

Our strategy for achieving Interoperability consists of two key objectives.  First, at some future point the VaNG will receive communications equipment in limited quantities from various DoD sources, such as the U. S. Army and the National Guard Bureau. We are now and will continue to be assertive in obtaining the equipment on an expedited schedule.  We intend, in other words, to do what is necessary to move the VaNG “ahead of the pack” for equipment fielding.  Second, and more importantly, we request support from the Commonwealth of Virginia.  We are committed to working closely with The Commonwealth Interoperability Coordinator’s Office (CICO) to achieve the support and communications equipment necessary to be Interoperable with state and local agencies. We request that CICO establish an Initiative Action Team (IAT), consisting of members from the VaNG and experts to achieve Initiative 6 of next year’s Strategic Plan for Communications Interoperability, which is to “Increase coordination and collaboration between CICO and the VaNG to leverage its unique federal/state capabilities.


Department of Defense, Joint Publication 1-02