The Washington Military Department recently released their 2022 Annual Report. This is a yearly document that evaluates the missions and performance of The Washington Army National Guard, Air National Guard and State Guard (State Defense Force). During the year The Washington State Guard completed a wide variety of missions from ensuring the emergency military radio system is fully operational in every National Guard facility to participating in two large scale exercises with The National Guard, Cascadia Rising 2022 and Evergreen Tremor 2022.
The organization also setup relations with The Emergency Response Managers from The Native American Tribes located throughout the state. This was a huge accomplishment as it helps The Military and Native American Tribes better coordinate with one another during Natural Disasters and Statewide Emergencies.
All in all The State Guard had a successful year.
2022 HIGHLIGHTS
The Washington State Guard learned at the start of 2022 that a search for a new commander would be underway. After reviewing possible candidates, MG Daugherty selected COL Joseph P. Maassen to lead the organization, who began his service in late March 2022. Maassen served for many years in the Washington Army National Guard in the 81st Brigade Combat Team, 205th Regiment and various other units before retiring. WSG members spent 2022 leading the Military Department’s effort to track and test the agency’s high frequency (HF) radios. This effort was completed between September 2021 and September 2022. WSG members on State Active Duty conducted Armory HF radio system testing, maintenance, repairs, and validations at 25 National Guard armories across the state. All of the sites were inspected, and corrective actions identified.
Of the 25 sites reviewed, 23 were reworked and categorized as fully mission capable. This effort enables the Washington National Guard to communicate both within the organization and with other emergency response agencies in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. In October 2022 WSG members worked with the Public Affairs Office to develop and produce a Net Control Station video to be shown at each armory location. Members prepared scripts and key operational concepts to be captured by video so that HF radio operators could access the “how to” video at their local armory.
WSG members also played a significant role in planning and coordinating a forum with the state’s Tribes in November 2022, where the WSG conducted a WMD capabilities briefing. WSG members contacted and coordinated with tribal emergency managers to encourage attendance and participation. This effort resulted in more than 20 different tribal participants, plus representatives from the Department of Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the agency’s Emergency Management Division, the Army Corps of Engineers, 10th Civil Support Team, cyber security, and public assistance representatives.
Continuing its support to the Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony, the WSG participated as an honor guard for the event. Gov. Jay Inslee, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and Washington’s Secretary of State Steve Hobbs all attended the event. WSG members also assisted with Veterans Day activities at Calvary Cemetery and Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in northeast Seattle. The activities at Washelli were part of the Missing in America project and Posting of Colors at the annual Veterans Day observations at Evergreen Washelli.
In July, the WSG completed an in-depth analysis of its organizational structure. The new configuration of the WSG includes a brigade that is made up of a headquarters and five detachments. The detachments are located at Camp Murray, and in Marysville, Ridgefield, Spokane and Yakima. In addition, a headquarters detachment provides leadership and operational control of recruiting and retention and administrative support. The WSG continues to support an Officer Candidate School and a Warrant Officer Candidate training program, as well as IET and non-commissioned officer leadership training.
In June, the Cascadia Rising 2022 and Evergreen Tremor 2022 exercises provided unique opportunities for the WSG to work side by side with many units of the Washington National Guard, Joint Staff, and the alternate Joint Operations Center at Fairchild AFB. These exercises were designed to execute the JOC Continuity of Operations (COOP)/devolution plan under a Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) scenario, to include the establishment of the alternate JOC at Fairchild AFB. WSG servicemembers from the Yakima and Spokane detachments provided communications support and assisted in establishing the alternate JOC location
