In early summer 2025, the Maryland Defense Force’s (MDDF) 231st Troop Command put its skills to the test during a multi-day exercise designed to simulate a real-world emergency scenario. Known as Operation Island Hop II, the exercise focused on the evacuation of Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay—a mission that highlighted the MDDF’s commitment to readiness in the face of natural disasters such as hurricanes. The training also built upon a similar operation conducted in 2024, ensuring that the State of Maryland has the capability to protect and evacuate residents of vulnerable island communities, should storms like Hurricane Irene or Hurricane Sandy threaten the region again.
From July 11–13, 2025, Charlie Company of the 231st Troop Command established and operated an advance base camp and tactical operations center on the remote islet of Long Point, within Janes Island State Park. Working with The Maryland Department of Natural Resources they setup and built a fully functional operating base. Tents were pitched for operations and sleeping quarters, a mess kitchen was established, a generator was started, and both a sixty-foot portable radio antenna and Starlink internet connection were deployed. The camp was staffed by a commander, operations officer, communications officer, and forward observer, who together created a command and control hub to provide situational awareness, threat assessments, and communications for Delta Company and other state and local agencies participating in the exercise.
The austere training environment tested the skills of the MDDF troops, exactly as intended. “We wanted to test our unit’s capabilities and purposely looked for an opportunity to work in a challenging and austere environment. This was a great training opportunity for our volunteers and they performed magnificently,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 (MD) David Smith, commander of Charlie Company. Echoing the importance of adaptability, Lt. Col. (MD) Mark Schroeder, commander of the 231st Troop Command, added: “If and when needed during an emergency, our volunteers have to be ready to deploy and become operational in every corner of the State. This was a great environment in which to learn and grow.”
Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday, commanding general of the MDDF, praised the effort as part of the unit’s long-term readiness goals: “This was an important training element for the 231st Troop Command. We’re going to continue training and stretching our capabilities so that we will remain ready when called.”
The Maryland Defense Force stands as one of the nation’s premier State Defense Forces, guided by the strong leadership of Brigadier General (MD) Gregory J. Juday. Under his command, the force has not only grown in size but also expanded its capabilities, enabling it to provide critical expertise in support of the National Guard and numerous state and local agencies. Its soldiers bring specialized skills in law, engineering, medicine, finance, Chaplaincy, and operational support. Through exercises such as Operation Island Hop II, the all-volunteer force continues to hone its readiness, ensuring it can meet the demands of disaster response and homeland defense while safeguarding Maryland’s communities when they are most at risk.
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Sources: Maryland Defense Force – Maryland National Guard