Indiana Army National Guards

Our Indiana Mission
The Constitution of the United States provides for the National Guard and for more than 200 years the volunteer members have met the needs of both our state and our nation. Our first United States President, George Washington, said, "When we assume the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen." The citizen soldiers of this great state live by these words.

The National Guard is unique and stands apart from all other reserve components whereas it is a resource of the state governor with a justifiable state mission. When a natural disaster or a civil disturbance strikes our communities, the Guard is ready, trained, and organized and is often the first to respond. The National Guard has proven itself capable of responding immediately and effectively to the needs of the citizens of Indiana, and our soldiers and airmen are unmatched in their dedication to duty.

Our Mission Abroad
The members of the Indiana National Guard are trained and equipped to augment both the United States Army and the United States Air Force in wartime and in times of national or international emergencies.

Indiana Guard members have served our nation in every major conflict since the American Civil War. The importance of the National Guard to our nation's security and defense is a time-tested commodity. We believe the National Guard is the most cost-effective means for Indiana to contribute to the national defense. Soldiers and airmen take advantage of overseas training opportunities in preparation for prompt mobilization.

During 1998, many Indiana Army National Guard personnel participated in overseas deployments for training and exchange programs. Our soldiers gained valuable experience and insight serving in the countries of Germany, Italy, and Slovakia and earned positive recognition from our active component counterparts.

Also serving overseas during 1998 were the men and women of the Indiana Air National Guard. Airmen from the 181st Fighter Wing, Terre Haute, and the 122nd Fighter Wing, Ft. Wayne, deployed to Germany, Haiti, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait, Slovakia, and South Korea.

The M-16 is the main weapon of the Army National Guard solider. It is a gas-operated rifle that shoots in both automatic and semi-automatic modes. In automatic mode, it can fire up to 800 rounds per minute. The M-16 and its ammunition are lighter; a soldier can carry more rounds into battle and increase his chances of survival.

The M1 Abrams tank is the Army National Guard’s main battle tank. It is one of the most lethal tanks in existence. It features a stabilized cannon that allows it to shoot on the move, a laser range finder that improves first-round accuracy, thermal sights that allow night engagements, high tech armor that provides the best protection for its crew of four and a turbine engine that is not only powerful but will burn many kinds of fuel, including gasoline, diesel oil, and jet fuel. In Desert Storm, the M1 proved almost unstoppable by the Iraqi’s Soviet-made tanks.

The Cobra helicopter is a flying gunship designed to provide close-in-fire support for ground troops as well as operate as an attack craft against enemy merchandized units. It has a flying range of 357 miles, and a cruising speed of 219 mph. The gunner sits in front of the pilot and controls the machine–guns and rocket launchers. AH-1 Cobra One interesting feature is the power-aimed gunner’s helmet. It is linked to the weapon system, so as the gunner turns his head and puts the helmet’s built-in sight on the target, the machine gun turns with him. To aim at something, all the gunner has to do is look at it. All Cobras can carry a great variety of armament, including 40 mm grenade launchers, miniguns, 20 mm (or alternative 30 mm) guns, and a wide range of rockets.