The Enduring Presence: Examining The National Guard's Afghanistan Deployment

The US military deployment in Afghanistan has been a significant aspect of the country's foreign policy since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Nearly half of the troops deployed to Afghanistan over the past two decades were from the National Guard and Reserves. The National Guard, a military branch with a long history in the US, has played a pivotal role in this conflict. With the military withdrawal from Afghanistan, the use of National Guard units in foreign wars has come under scrutiny, and legislators are rethinking their deployment strategies.

Nearly half of the troops deployed to Afghanistan were from the National Guard and reserves

The National Guard is a state-based military force that becomes part of the U.S. military's reserve components of the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force when activated for federal missions. It is composed of National Guard military members or units of each state and the territories of Guam, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, for a total of 54 separate organizations.

The National Guard has been deployed in Afghanistan since the beginning of the war in 2001. Nearly half of the troops deployed to Afghanistan over the past 20 years were from the National Guard and reserves. This has led to some state legislators reconsidering the use of their National Guard units for undeclared foreign wars.

The National Guard has a long history of participating in U.S. conflicts, dating back to the 17th century when colonial militias were formed during British colonization. The National Guard officially came into existence in 1916, though it had been referred to as such since 1824 when some New York State militia units adopted the name in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. Since then, the National Guard has participated in every major U.S. conflict and has become an integral part of the U.S. Armed Forces.

In recent years, the National Guard has been increasingly utilized for both domestic and overseas operations. In 2005, more than 50,000 National Guard members were deployed to help with the Hurricane Katrina cleanup efforts, while simultaneously, over 79,000 Guard members were federalized to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This dual role of the National Guard, serving both state and federal interests, has led to some tensions between the states and the federal government regarding the deployment of National Guard troops for foreign wars.

The utilization of the National Guard in Afghanistan has had a significant impact on the lives of its members and their families. Many National Guard members have had to leave their civilian jobs and careers, often taking a pay cut and facing financial difficulties. Multiple deployments and prolonged absences have also put a strain on marriages and family life, with a high number of divorces and broken relationships reported.

In conclusion, the National Guard has played a crucial role in the war in Afghanistan, with nearly half of the deployed troops coming from its ranks. This has led to a reevaluation of the use of National Guard units for undeclared foreign wars and has highlighted the commitment and sacrifices made by National Guard members and their families in serving their country.

The Alabama National Guard was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002

The Alabama National Guard has a long history dating back to 1807. In 2002, the Alabama National Guard was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. This deployment came just a year after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, which triggered the US invasion of Afghanistan.

The Alabama National Guard's involvement in Afghanistan in 2002 is particularly notable as it marked the first wave of National Guard troops being sent to the country. Sergeant 1st Class John Braswell, a member of the Alabama National Guard Special Forces unit, expressed his surprise at the activation of a National Guard battalion so early in the conflict. This deployment also had a significant impact on Braswell's personal life, as he had to take a pay cut, which forced him and his wife to sell their home.

The Alabama National Guard has a proud history of serving their country and state, dating back to the early 19th century. The Alabama National Guard was originally formed in 1807, and its troops have fought in numerous conflicts, including the Seminole Wars, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. During World War I, the Alabama National Guard was federalized and sent to Europe, where they fought alongside other US forces as part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division. In World War II, they were assigned to the 31st "Dixie" Division and saw action in the Pacific Theatre.

In recent years, the Alabama National Guard has continued to play an active role in US military operations abroad. In addition to their deployment to Afghanistan in 2002, they have also been involved in the Iraq War, with members of the Guard serving in Iraq from 2001 to 2002, 2005, and 2007 to 2008. The Alabama National Guard has also provided support during domestic emergencies, such as natural disasters and civil disturbances, showcasing their dedication to serving and protecting their community, state, and nation.

The Idaho National Guard has been deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq 15 of the last 20 years

In recent years, National Guard soldiers and airmen have served in over 80 countries in a wide variety of operations, including peacekeeping, stabilization, and security. They have a unique mission, being the only branch with a two-fold mission of providing trained units to the nation and to individual U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia.

The Idaho National Guard, in particular, has a long history of serving the nation and has been called upon to deploy across the state, country, and world. For example, in 2019, Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard's Detachment 2, C Company, 1-168th General Support Aviation Battalion were welcomed home from their deployment to Afghanistan, where they provided aeromedical evacuation support. This marked the eighth time in the past decade that an Idaho Army National Guard aviation unit had deployed.

Additionally, Citizen Soldiers of the Idaho Army National Guard have twice deployed to Iraq, in 2004 and 2010, and once to Afghanistan in 2011. The Idaho Air National Guard's Citizen Airmen, flying the A-10 attack aircraft, were also among the first Americans to cross the border into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Many of these airmen have undertaken repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Idaho National Guard is headquartered at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, with units dispersed throughout the state in 27 communities. The 116th Cavalry Brigade is the state's largest unit, with around 1,800 Idahoans, as well as soldiers from Oregon and Montana. The Idaho Air National Guard's 124th Fighter Wing has approximately 1,000 personnel assigned.

The Idaho National Guard's deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq have not been without consequences. Dan McKnight, a former Idaho National Guardsman, founded the nonprofit Bring Our Troops Home after watching a friend struggle with substance abuse and lose his wife after his fifth deployment. McKnight and other National Guardsmen have expressed discontent with the frequent and lengthy deployments, which have taken a toll on their lives, including injuries, financial losses, and broken marriages.

The US war in Afghanistan has led to the deaths of about 2,400 American service members

The US war in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of about 2,400 American service members, with 20,000 more wounded, many grievously. The war, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, also saw the deaths of 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives and 1,822 civilian contractors. The conflict resulted in a significant number of fatalities among US troops, with certain states and communities bearing a higher toll than others due to the disproportionate recruitment of low-income and minority individuals from these areas.

The human cost of the war extends beyond those who lost their lives. Many veterans have struggled with mental health issues and suicide following their service. The true number of suicides related to the war is unknown, as official Pentagon numbers do not include troops who returned home and later took their own lives. However, it is estimated that over 30,000 service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars have died by suicide—more than four times the number killed in combat. This mental health crisis has had a profound impact on the lives of those who served and their loved ones.

The war in Afghanistan also resulted in the deaths of thousands of allied troops and national police, with estimates ranging from 73,000 to 177,000. These individuals fought alongside US forces and made immense sacrifices in the conflict. Additionally, thousands of private contractors lost their lives while providing logistical and security support to American troops. The exact number of contractor deaths is unknown, as the US government does not thoroughly report these fatalities.

The war in Afghanistan had far-reaching consequences, and the impact was felt not only by those who served but also by the families and communities left behind. The true cost of the conflict is evident in the lives lost and forever changed, both in the US and among its allies.

The US deployment to Afghanistan has been a contentious issue, with legislators reconsidering the use of National Guard units for undeclared foreign wars. Nearly half of the troops deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq over the past two decades were from the National Guard and reserves. As a result of this heavy involvement, there have been calls to restrict the deployment of National Guard troops to congressionally declared wars.

The number of US troops in Afghanistan is twice the number in Iraq

The number of US troops in Afghanistan has fluctuated over the years, with the highest number reaching 100,000 during the war's peak. In 2021, it was reported that there were 3,500 troops in the country, though other sources state the number was closer to 600. This is twice the number of troops in Iraq, which stood at 2,500 as of March 2023.

The US first sent troops to Afghanistan in 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The initial force consisted of about 1,000 special force troops, supported by US airstrikes. The number of troops grew over time, with the US military presence reaching 100,000 in 2010. The US began withdrawing its troops in 2011, and by 2014, the number had decreased to 16,100.

In 2015, then-President Barack Obama announced plans to withdraw all US troops by the end of his second term in 2016. However, this timeline shifted under the Trump administration, which authorized the deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan in 2017.

In 2020, the US committed to a full military withdrawal from Afghanistan by May 1, 2021. This deadline was later extended to September 11, 2021, and the last US troops left the country on August 31, 2021.

Meanwhile, the number of US troops in Iraq has also undergone changes over the years. The US first invaded Iraq in 2003, and the number of troops peaked at 170,000 in 2007. The US withdrew its troops from Iraq in 2011 but re-intervened in 2014 due to the rise of the Islamic State.

In 2020, the Iraqi Council of Representatives passed a non-binding measure calling for the expulsion of all foreign troops from the country, including American and Iranian forces. The US began a partial drawdown of forces, and in July 2021, President Joe Biden announced the end of the US combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year. The US combat mission formally concluded on December 9, 2021, leaving 2,500 troops in the country to serve in advisory and assistance roles.

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