213th Regional Support Group
The 213th Regional Support Group is a Pennsylvania Army National Guard command that provides operational control, sustainment coordination, and emergency-support capabilities for assigned units.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The 213th Regional Support Group, commonly known as the 213th RSG, is a major command of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. It provides command and control for approximately twenty-two separate Pennsylvania Army National Guard units, comprising more than 1,000 soldiers drawn primarily from the eastern and central parts of the Commonwealth. Its responsibilities cover both federal military missions and state-level emergency support. The group is one of two principal commands in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, alongside the 28th Infantry Division. Unlike a commercial brand, it is a military formation rather than a consumer-facing organization. Its practical role is to organize, supervise, and support subordinate units involved in logistics, transportation, finance, medical support, human resources, public affairs, maintenance, and sustainment operations. The formation's institutional lineage reaches back to 1849, when its antecedent was organized in Allentown as the Lehigh Fencibles. Over time, the organization passed through several militia, infantry, artillery, military-police, and support designations. The designation 213th Support Group was adopted in 1975, while the current Regional Support Group title dates from a 2011 reorganization. Its federal mission is to provide command and control for non-major combat operations, help assigned Active Component and Reserve Component units meet training and readiness requirements, and support mobilization and deployment. At the state level, it assists the Pennsylvania emergency-management structure, supports civil authorities when required, and operates logistics-base functions at multiple locations. The group has supported domestic emergencies and major public events as well as overseas operations. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it deployed to the New Orleans area and helped operate an intermediate staging base. In 2009, it supported the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh by processing more than 2,500 troops entering the area of responsibility. Overseas assignments have included Bosnia-related support in 1997, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in 2003–2004, and Kuwait and Iraq during a 2007–2008 deployment supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Elements have also been associated with later support to Operation Atlantic Resolve. The organization currently includes headquarters and headquarters elements, a medical company, a public-affairs detachment, a human-resources company, a finance battalion with several finance companies, a transportation battalion, and a division sustainment support battalion. Its identity is therefore defined by readiness, logistics, command coordination, and support to military and civilian missions rather than by products or commercial services.
History
The lineage of the 213th Regional Support Group begins in Allentown in 1849 with the organization of the Lehigh Fencibles in the Pennsylvania militia. The unit was redesignated the Allen Rifles in 1850 and later consolidated with the Jordan Artillerists. The resulting organization served during the American Civil War in several Pennsylvania volunteer formations, including the 1st and 47th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiments. After the Civil War, the organization returned to the Pennsylvania National Guard and was redesignated several times. In 1874 it became Company D of the 4th Infantry Regiment. It entered federal service during the Spanish-American War in 1899 and during the Mexican Border mobilization in 1916. In 1917 it became associated with the 109th Machine Gun Battalion of the 28th Division and later received World War I campaign credit for operations including Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918, and Lorraine 1918. The organization evolved into an anti-aircraft artillery headquarters during the interwar period. It became part of the 213th Artillery structure in the 1920s and was redesignated as Headquarters Battery, 213th Coast Artillery in 1939. It was inducted into federal service in 1940 for World War II. After the war, it was federally recognized again in 1946 and consolidated in 1959 with the 151st Antiaircraft Artillery Detachment as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 213th Artillery Group. Further transformations followed in the postwar period. The headquarters became Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 213th Military Police Group, in 1971, and then Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 213th Support Group, in 1975. The support-group structure provided a basis for later logistics and command missions rather than remaining focused on a single combat-arms specialty. The formation was mobilized for Operation Joint Endeavor and Operation Joint Guard in 1997. Its headquarters company later supported Operation Enduring Freedom after mobilization in March 2003. The deployment included command-and-control responsibilities for bases in Afghanistan, including Bagram, Kandahar, and Kabul, as well as a command-and-control cell in Uzbekistan. The unit returned to federal control at Fort Dix in April 2004. In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, the group deployed to the Metairie and New Orleans area. It helped provide command and control for an intermediate staging base at Zephyr Stadium. In 2007–2008, it deployed again for Operation Iraqi Freedom, operating in Kuwait and Iraq and serving as one of five sustainment brigades assigned to the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. In 2009, the group supported the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh by processing more than 2,500 troops. The organization was redesignated the 213th Regional Support Group in 2011. Its modern mission combines federal readiness and deployment support with Pennsylvania emergency response. Subordinate formations provide medical, transportation, financial, personnel, public-affairs, supply, maintenance, and sustainment capabilities. The group has also received Meritorious Unit Commendations for service in Southwest Asia in 1990–1991 and Iraq in 2007–2008. Reference material identifies a 2026 deployment of elements in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, involving delivery of equipment and supplies to forward areas.
- 2026
Elements identified for Operation Atlantic Resolve support
[1]Reference material reports that elements deployed to deliver equipment and supplies to forward areas in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
- 2011
Redesignated as the 213th Regional Support Group
[1]The headquarters company was reorganized as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group.
- 2007
Deployed to Kuwait and Iraq
[1]The group mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom and performed sustainment-related command responsibilities.
- 2005
Supported Hurricane Katrina relief
[1]The group deployed to the New Orleans area and supported an intermediate staging base.
- 2003
Deployed to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan
[1]The group was mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and provided command and control for several bases and an additional cell in Uzbekistan.
- 1997
Supported operations in Bosnia
[1]The headquarters company sent approximately 50 personnel to Hungary in support of the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- 1975
213th Support Group designation adopted
[1]The organization became Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 213th Support Group.
- 1971
Converted to a military police group headquarters
[1]The artillery headquarters became Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 213th Military Police Group.
- 1959
Created the 213th Artillery Group headquarters
[1]Consolidation with the 151st Antiaircraft Artillery Detachment produced Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 213th Artillery Group.
- 1939
Became Headquarters Battery, 213th Coast Artillery
[1]The headquarters was reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters Battery, 213th Coast Artillery.
Products and positioning
A Pennsylvania Army National Guard regional support command focused on operational control, sustainment, readiness, deployment support, and emergency response.
Military command service
Command and control
The group's central function is to exercise command and control over assigned Pennsylvania Army National Guard units during training, readiness, domestic-support, mobilization, and overseas operations. It provides a headquarters framework for missions that do not require a major combat division.
Military logistics
Logistics and sustainment support
Through transportation, supply, maintenance, finance, human-resources, and sustainment formations, the group supports the movement and continued operation of military personnel and equipment. Its capabilities have been used in domestic emergencies and overseas theaters.
Emergency response
Emergency and civil-support operations
At the state level, the group can support Pennsylvania emergency operations and logistics-base activities during disasters, severe weather, floods, blizzards, and other civil emergencies. Its Hurricane Katrina assignment illustrates this command-and-staging role.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Iraq: Iraqi Surge
Kuwait and Iraq
The group deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and served in the sustainment structure associated with the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command.
Outcome. The group received a Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer embroidered Iraq 2007–2008.
- 2003War on Terrorism
Afghanistan and Uzbekistan
The group served in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, receiving Afghanistan: Consolidation I campaign credit.
Outcome. The headquarters returned to federal service at Fort Dix in April 2004.
- 1990Southwest Asia
Southwest Asia
The group received campaign participation credit for Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation and Defense of Kuwait, and Cease-Fire operations.
Outcome. The organization received a Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer for Southwest Asia service in 1990–1991.
- 1940World War II
North Africa and Europe
The organization entered federal service during World War II and holds campaign credit for Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe.
Outcome. The World War II campaign credits form part of the group's official lineage.
- 1917World War I
Western Europe
The lineage includes World War I campaign credits covering Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne 1918, and Lorraine 1918.
Outcome. These credits remain part of the unit's historical honors.
- 1899Spanish-American War
Puerto Rico
A predecessor organization entered federal service during the Spanish-American War and received Puerto Rico campaign credit.
Outcome. The service was incorporated into the formation's honors.
- 1862American Civil War
United States
The group's antecedent formations received campaign participation credit associated with Florida, South Carolina, and other Civil War operations.
Outcome. Campaign credit became part of the unit's recognized lineage.
Brand decisions
2011
Adoption of the Regional Support Group structureStrategyBackground
The Pennsylvania Army National Guard required a headquarters capable of coordinating a broad portfolio of support and sustainment units.
Action taken
The headquarters company was reorganized as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group.
Aftermath
The current regional command identity emphasized command and control, readiness, logistics, and state emergency support.
1975
Transition to the 213th Support GroupStrategyBackground
The organization had previously served as an artillery and military-police headquarters and was being structured for broader support responsibilities.
Action taken
It was converted and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 213th Support Group.
Aftermath
The support-group designation became the institutional basis for later logistics and regional command missions.
Recent events
- 2011
213th Regional Support Group designation adopted[1]
Leadership change · Other
The headquarters and headquarters company was reorganized as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group.
- 2009
Group supported Pittsburgh G-20 Summit operations[1]
Other
The organization provided reception, staging, and onward-integration support for the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh and processed more than 2,500 troops entering the operational area.
- 2007
213th Area Support Group deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom[1]
Other
The headquarters and headquarters company mobilized in April 2007, trained at Fort Bragg, and deployed to Kuwait and Iraq as part of a sustainment mission. It returned in April 2008.
- 2003
213th Area Support Group deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom[1]
Other
The headquarters company was mobilized at Allentown, trained at Fort Dix, and deployed to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. It returned to Fort Dix in April 2004 after completing its federal service.
Sources1 sources
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