State Guard has long served in nation’s wars

More than 2,000 members of the Idaho National Guard are being deployed to Iraq this fall, following three months of training in Fort Bliss, Texas. It will be the largest mobilization of Idaho National Guard troops in its history.

Earlier this year, about 300 members of both the Air and Army National Guard have been stationed in the Persian Gulf.

Two Pentagon employees from Idaho were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. In the three years since then, six servicemembers from Idaho have been killed in action since military operations began, including Air Force Master Sgt. Evander Andrews, the first U.S. casualty who was killed in a forklift accident in Qatar in October 2001.

Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing based at Mountain Home Air Force Base played a major role in the air attacks on Taliban and al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks. They add to Idaho’s history of supporting the nation’s war efforts since statehood in 1890.

“ Spanish-American War, 1898: The Idaho State Militia, the state’s first military unit, had its first assignment in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War of 1898. About 700 federalized troops returned in August 1899. One officer and four enlisted men were killed in action while 17 died of disease or accidents.

“ World War I, 1917-1918: Idaho National Guard troops went to Europe in the summer of 1918 and fought on the Western Front in France. According to the Department of Defense Directorate of Information, 22,161 men from Idaho served in the war. There were 323 battle deaths and 930 wounded.

“ World War II, 1941-1945: Idaho National Guard engineers, medical services and ordnance soldiers served with the 41st Division in the Pacific. Several Idaho units saw action in the Philippines. Also, the 951st Field Artillery Battalion served in Europe and fought in Normandy after D-Day. From Idaho, 65,154 men and women served. There were 1,377 battle deaths and 2,628 wounded.

“ Korean War, 1950-1953: The Idaho National Guard 116th Engineers Battalion worked on road and bridge construction projects. Idaho lost 131 soldiers, sailors and airmen in the Korean War.

“ Vietnam War, 1964-1973: The 116th Engineers Battalion of the Idaho Army National Guard was called again to build roads, bridges and base perimeters. The unit was activated in 1968.

The Defense Department lists a total of 217 Idaho servicemembers killed.

“ Gulf War, 1990: Two Idaho servicemembers were killed. Later, the Idaho Air National Guard 190th Fighter Squadron saw its first combat action, flying F-4Gs in 1993 and 1994 as part of Operation Southern Watch.

“ Peacekeeping missions: Idaho National Guard troops regularly rotate into missions in Bosnia as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force.