Oklahoma National Guard Joint Force Headquarters

The Army and Air Force National Guard exists in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. The Governor or district leadership are the Commanders in Chief for each Guard. Governors reserve the ability, under the US Constitution, to call up members of the National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need.The National Guard’s state mission is perhaps the most visible and well known. Nearly everyone has seen or heard of Guard units responding to battle fires or helping communities deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, snowstorms, civil unrest or other emergency situations. During National emergencies, however, the President reserves the right to mobilize the National Guard, putting them in federal duty status.