Wyoming National Guard

The Wyoming Army National Guard is composed of several types of army units to include: army aviation, construction engineers, field artillery, and medical assets. In 1996 it underwent reorganization. Under the new force structure, it went from two field artillery battalions to a single battalion. It also gained a ribbon bridge company and a rear operations center for an infantry division.

The Wyoming ARNG prides itself for its great tradition and community support. During FY99 the WYARNG honored distinguished Medal of Honor recipients and supported over 200 mandays of state missions including assisting with power generators during major power outages, search and rescue, fire fighting and preparing for floods.

WYARNG soldiers continue a proud legacy in completing missions nationally and internationally. The 1041st Engineer Company conducted tactical field training exercises at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, WY. The unit also constructed several comfort facilities and erosion control structures as training and improvement projects. The 197th Engineer Detachment and the 133rd Engineer Company traveled to Germany to support the 7th Army Training Center.

The WYARNG continued to stand in the forefront of technological development. Throughout 1999, the Casper-based 4th Infantry Division Rear Operations Center unit participated in the field testing of several battle field computer systems as part of the US Army's Force XXI modernization program. One of the largest field artillery exercises in recent years was held at the Wyoming National Guard Training Site in 1999. More than 1,500 soldiers from the 115th Field Artillery Brigade and three battalions from Wyoming, Utah and Montana conducted live fire and related large-unit exercises at Camp Guernsey.

The Wyoming Military Department's goal is to provide atrained, quality-based force of people supported by appropriate equipment, facilities and real property, technology, and support services to successfully execute its federal andstate missions. The Wyoming National Guard Headquarters, under the direction of the Plans and Operations office, planned and prepared for contingency operations in regard to Y2K. Although not used, this process was valuable for total training and similar exercises.

In January 2000 the 1022nd Air Ambulance unit deployed 10 people to Ft. Polk, La., to the Joint Readiness Training Center, as part of the MEDEVAC TEAMSUPPORT. When the 1022nd received notification of their potential rotation to Bosnia, projected to be during the early months of the year 2001, they began intensive training in preparation for certification for overseas deployment.

During May, the 197th Engineer Detachment traveled to Germany for AT. This was the last AT for the 197th, as it was deactivated later in the year.

The 960th Maintenance Company deployed 60 people to Italy in June 1999, which was their AT as well. In support of individual and collective readinessgoals, other units throughout the state conducted training in various locations.

The 1041st Engineer Company (Assault Float Bridge) hosted the annual Boss Lift which brought 30 employers and their representatives to Rock Springs by C-130 aircraft and then by UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter to Flaming Gorge Reservoir. While there, they observed the 1041st, which launched bridge sections and assembled them into a floating raft section in record time.

The 133rd Engineer Company continued to improve drainage and parking lots at the University of Wyoming. The 67th Army Band performed at the Governor's Ball in October and again for the Secretary of the Army in Laramie in November. They also toured the state during the year, reaching audi-ences throughout Wyoming. Public Affairs, both from State Area Command and the 197th Public Affairs (PA) team, were busy providing support throughout the year. Public Affairs issued 71 press releases and fielded 51 community supportevent requests. Recruiting and training videos were assembled for the 1022nd and 1041st units. The annual Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve "BossLift" was chronicled in both still photos and video. A new state of the art digital video editing system was acquired along with two new still digital cameras. Three members of the PA team deployed to Japan for two weeks in support of the "Yama Sakura Exercise".

The 4th ROC ID (Rear Operations Center, Infantry Division), which is located in Casper, received Force XXI digital equipment during fiscal year 1999. Received were two Maneuver Control System computers, an All Source Analysis computer, three Advanced Communications Improvement programs, a Single Channel Ground Airborne Radio system, and three Precision Lightweight GPS (Global Positioning System) Receiver systems. This new equipment not only brought the 4th ROC ID up todate, it is currently the only National Guard unit to receive this equipment.

In October 1999, the town of Lusk lost all electrical power for six days. The Wyoming Army National Guard sent 12 generators and 18 personnel there to assist the town and surrounding area until electrical power was restored.

A constitutional amendment affecting both the Airand Army National Guard was on the November 7, 2000, ballot. If enacted, it would repeal the requirement that any person appointed to a military office other than the offices of adjutant general, assistant adjutant general for the Army National Guard andassistant adjutant general for the Air National Guard must be a qualified elector. A second provisionwould change current eligibility requirements to allow any qualified resident to serve in the state militia if he or she is between the ages of 17 and 70 and allow nonresidents who are accepted into service to serve if they meet the other requirements.