Connecticut Army National Guard

The Connecticut Army National Guard maintains 32 armories, and is present in 22 communities.

During FY99, members of the Connecticut Army National Guard engaged in a variety of activities concurrent with its state and federal mission. CTARNG soldiers deployed to several countries for training opportunities including Germany, Korea, Egypt, Honduras, Canada and the Dominican Republic. In Canada, CTARNG units participated in the Partnership for Peace exercise with 18 other nations. Engineer units took part in Task Force Grizzly in Southern California on a variety of construction projects along the US and Mexican border. In Honduras, well-drilling units provided water as part of Operation Restore Hope.

Connecticut's Counterdrug Program executed $950,000 in conjunction with various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to support drug interdiction and demand reduction activities. The state's drug demand programs reached more than 19,000 children with anti-drug messages and included retreats and programs for three of the state's largest inner cities. FY99 also saw the completion and dedication of more than $30 million in facility expansions at the state's two helicopter training and repair facilities.

The principle component of the Connecticut Military Department is the National Guard and the Office of Emergency Management. It augments state and local civil authorities in case of emergencies beyond their capabilities and provides assistance to local areas through community service programs. The National Guard also performs its federal mission as the primary augmentee to the active federal military forces. Authority and responsibility for the Military Department is contained in Title 27 of the General Statutes. The Department's principle public responsibility is to serve as the protector of citizens and their property in time of war, invasion, rebellion, riot or disaster. It serves as the main source for the Governor in ensuring public safety in a variety of emergencies. The basis for the Military Department rests on the foundation of the citizen-soldier serving the community.

The Military Department operates thirty-eight Facilities strategically located throughout the state to provide support and mission capability for the Connecticut Army and Air National Guards and State Militia Units. These facilities include twenty-two armories, eight maintenance shops, four aviation facilities, four training site facilities and two horse guard facilities.

The Property & Procurement Office located at the Hartford Armory manages these facilities. The facilities management staff prepares specifications and contracts for minor repair projects. It coordinates with the Department of Public Works on bond improvement projects and renders emergency assistance to the facilities on a 24 hour, 7 day-a-week basis. It operates a central warehouse which distributes equipment, supplies, and cleaning materials to the various facilities and encourages energy conservation. It supervises and trains 55 maintenance personnel at the various facilities who are responsible for the cleaning, minor repairs, preventive maintenance and general upkeep of the facilities.