State Defense Forces: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, by S. Actual

On December 13th, 1636, in Salem Massachusetts, the tradition of the American militia was born. Since that time, the brave men and women of the various State militias have continued to serve and protect this great nation throughout the centuries.

One of the greatest historical battles of this Republic, known as the Battle of Bennington in 1777, was a pivotal engagement in the revolutionary war that it led to the defeat of the British military forces, including their hired Hessian and Indigenous native tribal factions. It is also the primary basis for the establishment of benefits for veterans of American battles and is the basis of the modern Veterans Administration compensation. and it was fought by volunteer militia groups.⁽¹⁾

The battle was a major strategic success for the American militia fighting units that were not part of the Continental Army, and is considered part of the turning point of the Revolutionary War; it reduced Burgoyne’s army in size by almost 1,000 men, led his Native American supporters to largely abandon him, and deprived him of much-needed supplies, such as mounts for his cavalry regiments, draft animals and provisions, all factors that contributed to Burgoyne’s eventual defeat at Saratoga. The victory galvanized colonial support for the independence movement and played a key role in bringing France into the war on the rebel side. The battle’s anniversary is celebrated in the state of Vermont as Bennington Battle Day.⁽²⁾

Following this great tradition, during World War II, the Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG) was formed and was called the “Eskimo Scouts,” the Alaska Territorial Guard worked with the U.S. Army, to defend Alaska. In 1947, at the conclusion of World War II, the Alaska Territorial Guard was disbanded. In 1984, Governor Bill Sheffield and the Alaska legislature established the Alaska State Guard. The Alaska State Guard was renamed in 1987, as the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF).

Today the men and women of the Alaska State Defense Force continue the honorable tradition, set forth by the Alaska Territorial Guard, to defend and serve the citizens and the great State of Alaska.
The United States Constitution Article I, Section 8 and 32 USC 109, provides the authority for states to establish militias. The Constitution of Alaska, Article III, Section 19 Alaska Statute 26.05.100 further establishes the authority of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF).⁽⁷⁾

The Governor is the Commander-in-Chief and exercises that authority through the Adjutant General (TAG).⁽³⁾

I write this paper from my experience of being a member of the Alaska State Defense Force (recently retired) and the realization that this Republic is in a very dire situation wherein we will see the State Defense Forces called upon to once again Defend Alaska. I urge you to buy and read the work of L. Shane Land and his book titled “The Arctic Guerilla”. Though many readers of this paper will not live in the Arctic, this work by Mr. Land is applicable in all ways to any American since all of the united States will be affected by what happens in Alaska.⁽¹⁰⁾

In recent days we saw Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida on television announcing that he was activating the Florida National Guard, and the Florida State Defense Force in its first ever out of State deployment, for duty in Texas to defend the State of Texas from the on-going invasion by illegal aliens from around the world.⁽⁴⁾

Currently, 23 states and the territory of Puerto Rico actively maintain state guards. State guards are authorized under Title 32 of the U.S. Code and operate distinctly from the National Guard. They are state-funded, responsive only to the Governor, and focused on the needs of their home state. The 23 states that currently maintain a state guard are Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. Also, the Territory of Puerto Rico, as mentioned previously.

Puerto Rico was struck by two major hurricanes in quick succession:

Hurricane Irma—a Category 4 storm—passed close to the main island of Puerto Rico on September 7, 2017, leading to widespread power outages and water service interruptions for several days. Irma’s heavy rains saturated the ground and its damaging winds weakened Puerto Rico’s already fragile physical infrastructure and natural systems. On September 10, 2017, President Donald Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Puerto Rico (DR-4336)⁽⁵⁾ and FEMA designated nine of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities as eligible for FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA), which provides relief for immediate needs and housing restoration.

Less than two weeks later, on September 20, Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane, directly hit Puerto Rico with peak wind speeds of up to 155 miles per hour and was the most intense hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico since 1928. So, close on the heels of Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria represented a near worst-case scenario for Puerto Rico. The storm’s path moved directly across the main island, with the eye passing only 25 miles from the capital of San Juan. Hurricane-force winds combined with Puerto Rico’s mountainous terrain led to wind tunnels, increased rainfall, and flash flooding.

Many parts of Puerto Rico received at least 15 inches of rain in just a 48-hour period. A second major disaster declaration was issued on September 20, 2017 (DR-4339)⁽⁶⁾, and FEMA extended eligibility for both Public Assistance and IA to all 78 of Puerto Rico’s municipalities.

On September 23, 2017, I was ordered to active duty with other members of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF) to deploy and Command the Joint Incident Command Communications System (JICCS) designated as TANGO-69 to Puerto Rico. Our primary mission was to support the United States Air Force Air Traffic Control at the formerly abandoned United States Naval Air Station in Roosevelt Roads (Fajardo P.R) on the easternmost end of the Island where both Hurricanes had the first direct impact on the Island. This is what the State militias do, and this is what they are created for, to support and defend their respective States. In an emergency, State militias support and defend other States as requested by the governor(s) of the affected State.

We were successful in our primary mission, the soldiers of the Alaska State Defense Force, along with members of the TANGO-69 JICCS that was comprised of Alaska Air National Guard troops, Alaska Army National Guard Troops, the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, Puerto Rico Stated Defense Forces, and United States Marine Corp (Reserve) units for security, gave up their off-duty hours to work with the rescue shelter agencies and FEMA distribution centers in loading relief supplies, providing medical aid and comfort to families, and individuals that were left devastated by the storms. In addition, elements of the 101st Airborne of the United States Army provided helicopter support to our command.

Our typical workday started at 03:00 hours (3:00 AM, civilian time) starting the 15KW generator set(s) we deployed and opened the JICCS system. Once this was done, we started the communications link with the National Guard Headquarters located in Arlington, Virginia. This link via satellite telephone (there was no communications infrastructure left operational on the Island) was needed to establish communications on the Military satellite system, and then set up networking for the various military units operating with us. Most days ended at nightfall since lighting and electrical power on the Island were provided by generators only.

Why join the State Defense Force?

In recent days the President has threatened to activate the National Guard and order it to remove barriers that Texas is installing along its borders.

This action Federalizes the Guard and would run counter to the mission of the National Guard, which is the same as the State Defense Forces. I wonder how many patriotic American Guardsmen would commit such treason. As members of the State Defense Forces this could not happen since the President cannot order or deploy these forces.

To order such action is the very definition of Treason as spelled out in the Constitution (Annotated) for the United States of America⁽⁸) as:

Section 3 Treason

Clause 1 Meaning

Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
Art III. S3.C1.1  Historical Background on Treason
Art III. S3.C1.2  Levying War as Treason
Art III. S3.C1.3  Trial of Aaron Burr
Art III. S3.C1.4  Aid and Comfort to the Enemy as Treason

Clause 2 Punishment

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Art III.S3.C2.1 Punishment of Treason Clause

Make no mistake about it, we are at war. Millions of illegal aliens have invaded our nation, un-vetted. Recently a news article talked about insurgent battles in Mexico with cartels and the Mexican Military found Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the aftermath of those battles just across the border from the United States. According to reports, a federal law enforcement source warned CBP agents to be vigilant after the Mexican military seized 10 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at the border.⁽⁹⁾

Any one of you who has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or the Middle East theater of operations knows just how devastating these weapons are. That there are already cells of our enemies here in CONUS (Continental United States) is an alarm bell that is ringing loud; is anyone listening? Do you think every illegal alien coming here is friendly? Do you think that they are going to obey our laws, learn our language and culture, and be productive? Are you willing to bet your life or your family’s lives on that?

The need to prepare for any event be it war, insurrections, or maybe an act of God event, is paramount in being ready to act as needed in those circumstances.

I took the photo above and the photo at the top of this article. I took those while in Puerto Rico and was privileged to provide assistance to our fellow citizens there. Consider the ramifications of what you see and do not think that you will ever see such destruction here at home if we are not willing to serve and protect ourselves. These are photos I took of the operations that the ASDF provided to Puerto Rico. These same operations can and have been conducted in Alaska as well. Your involvement in your State Defense Force (if it has one) can provide the same level of training, experience, and support to your neighbors.