Return to Guard Missions

Combat and Humanitarian Missions

The Kansas National Guard has been involved in the nation’s conflicts since the state’s inception as a territory. Since 1855, the Kansas National Guard has been involved in both combat missions and civil support roles. From the jungles of the Philippines to the mountains of Afghanistan; from the mountains of Tennessee to the deserts in Djibouti, the Kansas Guard has served in many combat and peacekeeping missions.

Beginning in the 1920’s, the Kansas Guard has become increasingly involved in supporting their local communities. Through strikes, jail breaks, floods, tornadoes and even Hurricane Katrina, the Kansas Guard has provided stability, services and support to communities as they dealt with adversity.


The Kansas Territorial Militia

In 1854 the Kansas Territory was opened to settlement. Farmers saw the opportunity to buy land cheaply from the government, and businessmen saw profits to be made. Others, however, saw political opportunity; the Kansas-Nebraska Act had decreed that the voters of Kansas would decide whether there would be slavery in Kansas.

Civil War (1861-1865)

Twenty regiments of Volunteer infantry and cavalry, plus four separate batteries of artillery were accepted into the service of the Union Army. These units totaled about 21,000 men of which two regiments and one separate battery were Black. Three regiments of American Indians were recruited mostly in Kansas. Approximately 13,400 militia responded to a call …

Indian Wars (1867-1868)

The Eighteenth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry was a battalion-sized unit organized as Kansas Militia and mustered into federal service in 1867 to defend settlers in Kansas against hostilities by Indians. In October 1868, a full regiment was organized for a six month period of federal service to defend against Indians. Both of these organizations served with …

Spanish-American War (1898-1899)

Four regiments of Kansas Volunteers entered into federal service totaling 4,000 men. The Twentieth Kansas served heroically in the Philippine Islands under COL Frederick Funston. Funston remained in the Philippines and effected the capture of the rebel leader with the aid of other officers and some natives. This act hastened an end to the hostilities. …

Mexican Border Conflict (1916)

The Kansas National Guard provided 2,800 soldiers for federal service on the border to guard against invasion from Mexico. Most of the units were stationed at Eagle Pass, TX for about two months and were mustered out after five months of service.  

World War I (1917-1919)

The entire Kansas National Guard, totaling 10,000 men, was called to federal service. All units were assigned to the 35th Division except an ammunition train assigned to the 42nd Division. These units served in Europe and participated in actions against the Germans, primarily the Argonne Offensive.

World War II (1940-1945)

The entire Kansas Army National Guard, consisting of four regiments in the 35th Division and many supporting units, was mobilized a year prior to Pearl Harbor. The 35th Division was sent to southern California to protect against possible Japanese invasion. In June 1942, elements of the division were sent to the Aleutiane to combat the …

Korean War (1950-1953)

The 127th Jet Fighter Squadron, Kansas Army National Guard and its supporting units were called for duty with HQ Btry, 130th FA Group, 174th MP Bn, and 195th Art Bn. They served for 21 months in a federal status. Many Kansans served in Korea.

Berlin Crisis (1961-1962)

Berlin Crisis: Nearly 450 Kansas Guardsmen were called to active duty. The 250th OD Co; 110th OD Co HHD, 110th OD Bn, and HQ Det, 469th OD Gp served at Ft. Riley. The 170th OD Ammo Co was stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX.

Vietnam War (1966-1969)

The 69th Brigade was mobilized into active federal service in May 1968. The 69th went to Fort Carson, Colorado and some 2,350 members were deployed to Vietnam. The 995th Maint Company was also mobilized in May of 1968 and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas. The unit sent some 60 of its soldiers to Southeast …

Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

Over 500 Airmen volunteered from the 190th Air Refueling Group for active service beginning on Aug. 10, 1990, and were sent to Saudi Arabia. The 170th Maintenance Company mobilized nearly 200 Soldiers in late November 1990 who went to Saudi Arabia after a short training period at Fort Riley. Mobilized Airmen from the 184th Tactical …

Kosovo – Operations Joint Guardian and Enduring Freedom

Operation Joint Guardian refers to U. S. military operations that are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo. Operation Enduring Freedom refers to U. S. military operations with the war on terrorism that take place at an overseas site or in support of units going outside the United States. Btry …

Bosnia-Herzegovina – Operations Deliberate Forge and Joint Endeavor

Operation Joint Endeavor refers to U. S. military operations that are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia-Herzogovina. The 35th Inf Div commanded Stabilization Force 13 (SFOR 13) in Bosnia in 2003 as part of Task Force Eagle, a multinational force. They were replaced by the 34th Inf Div six …

United States – Operation Noble Eagle

Operation Noble Eagle refers to U. S. military operations associated with the war on terrorism following September 11, 2001 that took place inside the boundaries of the United States, including airport security and force protection missions. The 1st Bn, 127th FA was deployed in Sept, 2001 to provide installation protection at Ft. Riley and Ft. …

Iraq – Operation Iraqi Freedom

The 226th Engineer Company of Augusta & Winfield, KS was mobilized on Jan. 2, 2003, and accompanied Active Army units on the initial attack into Iraq in the spring of 2003. On May 24, 2003 they were pulled back into Kuwait, and arrived home on July 4, 2003. The 102d Military History Detachment left Kansas …

Afghanistan – Global War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom

The Global War on Terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom refer to U. S. military operations associated with the war on terrorism that either take place at an overseas site or in support of units going outside the United States. From 2007 on, this primarily involved Kansas National Guard unit deployments to Afghanistan.

Turkey – Operation Northern Watch

The 226th Engineer Company deployed to Afghanistan in Jan, 2010, for a year-long mission to build infrastructure for U. S. and coalition forces.n Northern Watch involved use of United States military forces to enforce the .No Fly. zone over northern Iraq. A portion of the 190th Air Refueling Wing Deployed to Incirlik, Turkey, on July …

Germany – Operation Enduring Freedom

The 2d Bn, 137th Inf deployed to Germany for six months in 2002, replacing units deployed in the War on Terrorism.

Africa – Operation Enduring Freedom

The 2d Bn, 130th FA began a deployment to Egypt as part of the Multinational Force & Observers-Sinai (MFO-Sinai) in the fall of 2009. Here their mission was to keep the peace in the Sinai region between the Arabs and Israelis. The unit returned home in July of 2010. The 2d Combined Arms Battalion, 137th …