Kansas Army National Guard
The Kansas Army National Guard is Kansas's Army National Guard component, serving under state authority and as a reserve component of the United States Army.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The Kansas Army National Guard is the Army component of the Kansas National Guard and a reserve component of the United States Army. It combines a state emergency-response role with a federal military role. When operating under the authority of the governor, its soldiers can support Kansas during disasters, civil emergencies, public-safety missions, and other needs defined by state law. When federally activated, units serve as part of the United States Army and use Army ranks, uniforms, training standards, equipment, awards, and operational doctrine. Its institutional roots reach back to the Kansas Territorial Militia, formed on August 30, 1855, before Kansas entered the Union. Kansas became the thirty-fourth state on January 29, 1861, after which the Kansas Militia was organized under the state constitution. The federal Militia Act of 1903 helped establish the modern National Guard system by integrating state military organizations into a nationally coordinated reserve structure. Kansas Guard formations have participated in conflicts and operations from the Civil War and the Indian Wars through the Spanish-American War, the Mexican Border service of 1916, and the First and Second World Wars. A Kansas lineage also runs through the Korean War, the Vietnam era, the Persian Gulf War, peacekeeping in the Balkans, and post-2001 operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Somalia, and the Horn of Africa. The organization has maintained infantry, field artillery, armor, aviation, sustainment, military police, medical, public-affairs, engineering, recruiting, and force-protection capabilities at different points in its history. Among its notable formations are the 35th Infantry Division, the 69th Troop Command, the 130th Field Artillery lineage, the 1st Battalion, 635th Armored Regiment, and aviation units equipped for assault and transport missions. Kansas soldiers have also supported domestic missions, including emergency response and specialized civil-support functions. The 73rd Civil Support Team provides capabilities for responding to suspected chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive hazards. The organization is not a commercial brand and does not sell consumer products. Its public identity is based on military service, readiness, stewardship of unit lineages, recruiting, training, and support to Kansas communities and national defense. It operates through facilities and units distributed across the state, while some Kansas-based formations include detachments or partner elements from other states. The Kansas Adjutant General's Department provides the broader state-level administrative framework for the Kansas National Guard. Current organizational structures and leadership can change as units are reorganized, redesignated, activated, or assigned to different commands.
History
The Kansas Army National Guard traces its institutional ancestry to the Kansas Territorial Militia, established on August 30, 1855. Kansas became a state on January 29, 1861, and the Kansas Militia was organized under the new state's legal framework. The Kansas Constitution places the governor in command for state missions. Federal legislation, particularly the Militia Act of 1903, subsequently brought state military forces into the modern National Guard system, creating a permanent relationship between state authority and federal military organization. Kansas formations participated in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865 and in conflicts commonly grouped under the Indian Wars from 1864 to 1870. They later served during the Spanish-American War and the 1916 Pancho Villa Expedition. The 2nd Infantry Regiment of the Kansas Volunteer Militia was organized in 1880 and entered federal service in 1916 for Mexican Border duty, spending approximately five months at Eagle Pass, Texas. In 1917, the regiment was drafted into federal service, consolidated with the 1st Infantry Regiment, and redesignated as the 137th Infantry Regiment. It became part of the 35th Infantry Division, a Kansas-Missouri formation, and fought in France during the First World War, including the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The regiment was demobilized in 1919 after extended active service. Kansas's First World War aviation history includes Lieutenant Erwin R. Bleckley, who volunteered for aviation duty and received the Medal of Honor posthumously for an aerial mission. He was the first National Guard aviator to receive that award. The Kansas lineage also continued through artillery reorganizations, including the 161st Field Artillery Regiment, which was redesignated from the former 2nd Infantry Regiment in 1921. Kansas Army National Guard units served in the Second World War and the Korean War. During the Korean War period, the 130th Field Artillery Group headquarters, the 195th Field Artillery Battalion, and the 174th Military Police Battalion were mobilized. In 1963, the 69th Infantry Brigade was activated. During the Vietnam era, most of the brigade was ordered to active duty in May 1968 and served at Fort Carson with the 5th Infantry Division until demobilization in December 1969. Its personnel were used largely as replacements for troops in Vietnam; forty brigade members were killed in action and many more were wounded. The Army National Guard reorganized extensively during the 1980s. Kansas helped re-form the headquarters of the 35th Infantry Division, and the 69th Infantry Brigade became part of that division alongside brigades from Nebraska and Kentucky. Kansas also maintained armor and artillery lineages. The organization later supported Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Northern and Southern Watch, Restore Hope in Somalia, peacekeeping and air operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, and other Southwest Asian missions. The 635th Armor lineage developed from the 891st Engineer Aviation Battalion, constituted in 1953 and federally recognized in Kansas in 1954. It became the 891st Engineer Battalion in 1957 and was converted to the 635th Armor in 1976. It was reorganized in 1990 to include battalions based in Manhattan and Salina. In 2004, approximately 350 soldiers from its 1st Battalion deployed to Kosovo under NATO authority. They carried out fixed and mobile security, force protection, and escort missions before returning in January 2006. The armor and infantry lineage was subsequently reorganized several times, including consolidation in 2008 and redesignation in 2020 as the 1st Battalion, 635th Armored Regiment. The 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry received Bradley Fighting Vehicles in 2004 and began preparing for overseas deployment. It mobilized in 2005, trained at Fort Sill and the National Training Center, and served in Iraq from October 2005 through October 2006. One battalion soldier was killed in action. In 2010, the 137th Infantry mobilized for the Global War on Terror and trained in Kansas and Washington before deploying to Djibouti. Under United States Africa Command, it protected Camp Lemonnier and supported Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and partner-capacity missions. The unit redeployed in 2011 and received a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The modern Kansas Army National Guard includes headquarters, recruiting and retention, aviation, artillery, sustainment, medical, civil-support, public-affairs, legal, maintenance, and troop-command elements. The 35th Infantry Division is headquartered at Fort Leavenworth, while other formations and facilities operate in communities including Topeka, Wichita, Salina, Manhattan, Olathe, Forbes Field, Hays, Iola, and Kansas City. Its structure remains subject to federal and state reorganizations, mobilizations, and changes in mission.
- 2020
Armor lineage redesignated
[1]The 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, 635th Armored Regiment.
- 2014
130th Field Artillery Brigade reactivated
[1]The 130th Field Artillery Brigade was reactivated in the Kansas Army National Guard.
- 2010
137th Infantry deploys to Djibouti
[1]The regiment deployed to East Africa for force protection and support missions under United States Africa Command.
- 2005
2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry mobilized for Iraq
[1]The battalion entered federal service and deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom after pre-deployment training.
- 1963
69th Infantry Brigade activated
[1]Kansas activated the 69th Infantry Brigade, which later served during the Vietnam era and became associated with the 35th Infantry Division.
- 1918
Erwin R. Bleckley receives Medal of Honor
[1]Kansas Guard aviator Erwin R. Bleckley was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for First World War aviation service.
- 1917
137th Infantry joins 35th Infantry Division
[1]Kansas infantry units were reorganized into the 137th Infantry Regiment and assigned to the newly organized 35th Infantry Division for First World War service.
- 1903
Federal National Guard system established
[1]The Militia Act of 1903 integrated state military forces into the modern National Guard system.
- 1861
Kansas becomes a state and organizes its militia
[1]Kansas entered the Union on January 29, 1861, and the Kansas Militia was organized under the state's new constitutional framework.
- 1855
Kansas Territorial Militia formed
[1]The institutional predecessor of the Kansas National Guard was formed on August 30, 1855, while Kansas was still a territory.
Products and positioning
A dual-status military organization positioned around readiness, homeland support, community service, and reserve combat capability for the United States Army.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010Horn of Africa force protection
Djibouti · East Africa
The 137th Infantry supported Camp Lemonnier, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, and Department of Defense and State Department partner-capacity missions.
Outcome. The unit redeployed in April 2011 and received a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
- 2005Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq
The 2nd Battalion, 137th Infantry deployed after training at Fort Sill and the National Training Center and served with formations associated with XVIII Airborne Corps and the 3rd and 4th Infantry Divisions.
Outcome. The battalion returned to Kansas in November 2006; one soldier was killed in action.
- 2004NATO Kosovo deployment
Kosovo
The 1st Battalion, 635th Armor deployed approximately 350 soldiers for NATO peacekeeping, force protection, patrol, and escort duties.
Outcome. The unit returned in January 2006 after a fifteen-month deployment.
- 1990Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Southwest Asia
Kansas Army National Guard personnel supported the Gulf War mobilization and associated operations.
- 1968Vietnam-era federal service
United States
The 69th Infantry Brigade was ordered to active duty and served at Fort Carson with the 5th Infantry Division, providing replacement personnel for Vietnam operations.
Outcome. The brigade was demobilized in December 1969 after suffering combat deaths and numerous wounded personnel.
- 1917First World War service
France
Kansas infantrymen served with the 35th Infantry Division in France and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
Outcome. The 137th Infantry was demobilized in 1919 after extended federal service.
Brand decisions
2020
Redesignation of the 2nd Combined Arms BattalionGeneration changeBackground
The Kansas organization had undergone earlier armor and infantry reorganizations, including consolidation and changes to the 635th Armor and 137th Infantry lineages.
Action taken
The 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry was redesignated as the 1st Battalion, 635th Armored Regiment.
Aftermath
The unit retained a combined-arms role while restoring the 635th Armor designation.
1903
Adoption of the modern National Guard frameworkStrategyBackground
Federal legislation reorganized state militias into a nationally coordinated reserve system while preserving state control for specified missions.
Action taken
The Kansas militia lineage became part of the National Guard structure linked to the United States Army.
Aftermath
Kansas units could serve both the governor and the federal government under distinct authorities.
Sources2 sources
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