A Proud History

1879—Chapter 208, Laws of 1879, the name State Militia was changed to Wisconsin National Guard.

1933—The National Defense Act of 1933 formalized the National Guard of the United States, a reserve component of the active Army. (Wisconsin Guard troops fought in World Wars I and II with the 32nd “Red Arrow” Infantry Division gaining national recognition.)

1947—The Wisconsin Air National Guard was established at General Mitchell Field, Milwaukee. The first units were the 128 Fighter Group, 126 Fighter Squadron, 126 Utility Flight, Weather Station, 128 Aircraft Control and Warning Station, and Detachment A, 228 Service Group.

1948—The 176 Fighter Squadron was organized at Truax Field, Madison.

1951—The Division of Emergency Government originated as the Office of Civil Defense and tasked to administer emergency programs in case of enemy attack under Chapter 443, Laws of 1951.

1951 to 1953—Wisconsin Guard units fought in the Korean War.

1954—The federal government leased a portion of Camp Williams, adjacent to Camp Douglas, WI to create an Air National Guard training site.

1959—Chapter 628, Laws of 1959, renamed the office the Bureau of Civil Defense and added responsibilities for natural and human disasters and subsequently was renamed Division of Emergency Government in 1967.

1989—The Division of Emergency Government became part of the Department of Military Affairs by Wisconsin Act 31. It is now called the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management (WEM).

1990 to 1991— More than 1,500 guard members from Wisconsin were sent to the Persian Gulf to participate in Operations “Desert Shield” and “Desert Storm.”

1992 to 2000—Each agency actively engages in military contingencies, peacekeeping, and emergencies throughout the world and state.

2001 to present-Over 1,200 Guard members have been deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle. WEM assumes duties as Homeland Security.