Plans are progressing well toward the standup of the National Guard’s first two homeland response force units in this fiscal year, according to Gen. Craig McKinley, the Guard’s top boss. “I was briefed by my team last week, and this effort is on track,” stated McKinley during a speech this week at the 2011 National Guard Bureau domestic operations workshop in National Harbor, Md. He added, “I’ve heard from the states involved. They’re confident and ready to perform.” These first two HRFs will be in Ohio and Washington. The Guard announced these plans last June. An HRF unit will provide a self-deployable capability to respond domestically to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield-explosive incidents. The Defense Department intends to establish one unit for each of FEMA’s 10 regions nationwide. (NGB release by TSgt. John Orrell)
2026 NDAA: 5 Highlights for Airmen and Guardians
Dec. 18, 2025
President Donald Trump signed the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 18, a day after Congress passed the annual defense policy bill for the 65th consecutive year. Here’s what it means for the Air Force and Space Force.
