The Texas State Guard (State Defense Force – TXSG) continues to demonstrate why it is considered one of the most capable and mission-ready forces in the nation. A few weeks ago 1st Brigade conducted its training emphasizing its expanding maritime readiness. On October 25, Soldiers of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade conducted maritime training mission on Joe Pool Lake in Dallas. The operation included coordinated shoreline command post operations and on-water maneuver training designed to strengthen communication, navigation, and multi-boat coordination during a real-world water emergency. Establishing a shore command allowed leaders to synchronize movements, track assets, and replicate the type of large-scale maritime emergency response missions the Texas State Guard is often called upon to support. From shoreline coordination to on-water execution, the training served as a reminder that the Guard’s mission readiness does not pause between disasters—these Soldiers prepare continuously so they are ready when Texans need them most.
This maritime training mission reflects one of the Texas State Guard’s greatest strengths: its elite Search & Rescue and Boat & Dive Teams, among the most professional and advanced in the nation. The Texas State Guard Maritime Team has repeatedly proven its ability to operate in any water environment—lakes, rivers, flooded residential areas, submerged highways, and coastal zones. During hurricanes or extreme flooding, such as the devastating floods that struck Central Texas a few months ago, these teams deploy to search, locate, and extract Texans trapped by rising waters. Their training emphasizes not only rescue operations but also rapid medical triage, enabling Soldiers to stabilize injured individuals long enough for safe transport to medical facilities. Their capability set is broad, allowing them to navigate debris-filled flood zones, conduct night rescues, work alongside aviation assets, and recover stranded families in conditions too dangerous for most agencies.
The maritime mission of the Texas State Guard is far deeper than emergency rescue. Over the years, the Guard’s boat and dive teams have supported local and state agencies with underwater recovery missions, vehicle extractions, and the lifting of heavy submerged materials from riverbeds and lake floors. Their divers have participated in advanced deep-water recovery operations, showcasing rigorous technical proficiency and the ability to operate in low-visibility, high-risk environments. One of the most remarkable missions came when Texas State Guard divers were tasked in the critical preservation projects on the historic World War II battleship USS Texas (BB-35), performing underwater repairs and maintenance that helped stabilize the vessel and prevent further deterioration. Additional training events at locations such as Lake Lavon have further sharpened their ability to conduct complex rescues, multi-team operations, and real-world disaster simulations. These missions showcase the full depth of the Texas State Guard’s maritime expertise, reflecting a commitment to serving Texans not only during life-saving emergencies but also in complex investigations where underwater recoveries can reveal evidence long hidden beneath lakebeds, as well as in the long-term preservation and protection of the state’s historical assets and critical infrastructure.
From shoreline coordination to on-water maneuvers, our Soldiers stay mission-ready. Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, Texas State Guard conducted boat maneuvers on Joe Pool Lake in Dallas on October 25, establishing a shore command to oversee operations and ensure mission coordination. These training events enhance our readiness to support communities during water-based emergency response missions. (Photos by Sgt. Samantha Morell)
Source: Texas State Guard