SIDEBARS

November 2004

Blum: Guard Transformation Would Survive Future Cutbacks

by Joe Pappalardo

The National Guard is adopting historic new roles in national defense and plans on making the changes permanent, according to the Guard’s chief.

Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum said the organization already was established as an essential and indispensable part of the national security apparatus, adding that he is not concerned that the window of opportunity to radically change the National Guard would close if defense spending shrinks.

“If funding were to dry up, I wouldn’t be concerned because the Guard’s approach makes more sense. We have the capacity to defend the country at a fraction of the cost, when needed,” Blum said in an interview with National Defense. “We are the best defense bargain … In a time of reduced resources, we become more of a solution.”

Blum added that he was not worried about talk of expanding the number of active service troops, a move that could potentially take some of the emphasis off the National Guard and Reserves.

“The total force concept makes the two parallel,” Blum said. “[Active and Guard capabilities] are mutually supporting; each makes the other stronger. I think we can do both without risking the success of the active forces for the National Guard, or the Guard’s success for the active.”

One way Blum is solidifying the Guard’s expanded role is forming specially trained units, like civil support teams, weapons of mass destruction response teams and anti-ballistic missile crews.

The National Guard also has played leading roles in running national security events, interagency efforts that include party conventions, presidential funerals and meetings of world leaders. At the G8 summit, a National Guard commander had a lead role in the entire operation, which included Navy warships, SEAL teams and local police. It was, he said in a speech to the National Guard Association of the United States, a proud milestone.

The growing demands on and of the Guard and reserve have also manifested themselves in increasing funds for equipment. The Defense Appropriations Act included $63 million for UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters, $42.5 million for heavy trucks, $11.4 million for the Guard and reserve’s firefighting equipment. The Air National Guard scored $21 million for F-16 engine upgrades, $5.6 million for on-board oxygen generating systems and $8.4 million for airborne friend-or-foe identifying equipment.

Blum believes the Guard will achieve parity with the active force, “because they need us.” Capitol Hill appears to be listening. The amount of money added for National Guard equipment upgrades exceeds $557 million.

Despite concern for recruitment, retention and preparedness for combat deployment, Blum said the advances of the past year are historic and permanent. “Other people have talked about transformation; we have done it,” he said.

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