The strength and service of the Missouri National Guard.

Headquartered in Jefferson City since 1945, the Missouri National Guard plays a vital role in safeguarding the state and the nation. The Missouri National Guardis uniquely structured with both Army and Air Force components, giving it access to some of the most elite resources within the U.S. military. This dual-force capability allows the National Guard to operate with the strategic precision of the Air Force and the tactical strength of the Army while it carries out complex missions in the air, on land, or on water, both at home and abroad. With such responsibilities and dual force capabilities, the National Guard has impressive fleets of vehicles.

Missourians may see the Missouri National Guard as they fly helicopters from the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade over Arrowhead Stadium before kickoff, but what they may not know is that each LUH-72 Lakota helicopter incorporates advanced technologies, including a four-axis autopilot, dual FADEC engine, a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, advanced avionics, and night vision devices. In emergencies and rescue missions, the LUH-72 can be rapidly deployed and has a maximum speed of 167 mph, with a range of at least 400 nautical miles and the capability to land on various terrains.

Another fleet of aircraft in the 139th Airlift Wing is the C-130 Hercules aircraft. This massive aircraft, with a 132-foot wingspan, can easily carry roughly 92 combat troops, 64 paratroopers, and 42,000 pounds of equipment or cargo anywhere across the state. In 2023, the139th Airlift Wing set a new milestone with the C-130H Hercules capabilities by having multiple aircrews fly a mission to push the aircraft’s cumulative flight time to41.5 hours of flight with the engines running continuously for 45 hours. The mission tested the combination of max endurance with rapid deployment and helped enhance the forces’ projection capabilities in warfighting.

Perhaps the most impressive aircraft in the Missouri Air National Guard is the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber. Many may remember seeing the B-2 bomber as the 131st Bomb Wing flew over Jefferson City in May of 2020. The Missouri Air National Guard often participates in exercises like Spirit Vigilance, which involves a mass fly-off of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to demonstrate nuclear deterrence and global strike capabilities. In cases of wartime, the aircraft’s stealth and long-range capabilities can deliver precision airstrikes on targets anywhere in the world at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. This is especially important for the National Guard since Missouri’s location within the central U.S. acts as an ideal staging area for deploying National Guard units to any part of the country.

On land, the National Guard often fills critical gaps where local and other state agencies are not readily available when aiding in natural disaster relief. After a disaster, the National Guard uses a variety of high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicles, such as Humvees and Light Medium Tactical Vehicles like the M1083 – a cargo truck that can transport personnel, supplies, and heavy equipment up to 10,000 pounds over rough terrain and through high water. However, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle JLTV – M1278 is quickly replacing the Humvee in many roles, offering increased protection, off-road capability, and payload capacity.

Of course, serving in the National Guard involves much more than being trained on how to use some of the most advanced military equipment available.

“Service in the Missouri National Guard is about unparalleled personal growth — the opportunity to learn and lead and to be entrusted with the lives and responsibilities of a team,” says Army Maj. Gen. Charles Hausman, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. “I was flying a multi-million-dollar helicopter, fully loaded for a live-fire range, at 25 years old, and the weight of that trust was immense. The Guard offers a unique path you can’t find anywhere else — an uncommon calling to develop leadership skills, master a craft, or excel in any profession.”

“For me, serving in the National Guard is a calling —it’s about giving back to the community that raised me and protecting the people I care about,” says Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jessica Settle, a command senior enlisted leader of the Missouri National Guard. “It’s a commitment that goes beyond the uniform; it’s who I am.”

Most recently, the National Guard transported vehicles and equipment to assist the St. Louis region in response to the May 16 tornado and severe storms.

“Approximately 40 Missouri National Guard members arrived on site and got straight to work offloading equipment to support debris sorting, loading, transport, and removal,” says Army Col. Rutledge M. McClain, director of public affairs. “Our soldiers and airmen continued working alongside local and state partners to ensure a coordinated response and help meet the community’s recovery needs.”

The National Guard also works year-round to foster strong relationships with the communities they serve with things like search and rescue operations, counter-drug programs, and events. In September, civilians can catch thrilling aerial performances, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and other various aviation displays, at The Sound of Speed Air Show hosted by the 139th Airlift Wing.

Civilians can also learn more about the guard by visiting the Museum of Missouri Military History. Aside from major holidays, the museum is open Monday through Saturday with free admission. It boasts an extensive collection of artifacts and vehicles that chronicle the state’s military legacy from the Revolutionary War to the present.

“On exhibit are things like a M4E8 Sherman, M-60 Main Battle Tank, a M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, a 1927 Chrysler staff car, and a Soviet era MTLB- armored personnel carrier,” says Col. McClain. “Our F-4 is dedicated to Missourians who lost their lives during the Vietnam War, and the F-15 flew combat missions during Desert Storm.”

From the skies above Arrowhead Stadium to the floodwaters of Missouri’s rivers, the Missouri National Guard’s impact is felt far and wide. Its joint force capabilities, cut-ting-edge equipment, and highly skilled service members allow it to respond to crises, support military missions, and serve their communities. As both a state and national asset, the Missouri National Guard continues to stand ready — always prepared to protect, serve, and rise to the moment.