Florida National Guard

• Origins in the 16th Century: The Florida National Guard traces its roots to 1565, when Spanish settlers in St. Augustine formed local militias, making it the oldest known militia tradition in the United States. • Seminole Wars Participation: Florida militias played a significant role in the Seminole Wars (1817–1858), with units engaging in challenging swamp and guerrilla warfare. • Civil War Service: During the Civil War, Florida militia units served on both sides, but primarily supported the Confederacy, providing troops and home defense. • Official State Guard Formation: The Florida State Troops, the precursor to today’s National Guard, were officially organized in 1868 and later redesignated as the Florida National Guard in 1909. • Federal Deployments: The Florida National Guard has been activated for every major U.S. conflict since World War I, including deployments to Europe, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Afghanistan. • Hurricane Response: The Guard is frequently activated for hurricane relief efforts, notably during Hurricane Andrew (1992), Hurricane Katrina (2005), and Hurricane Michael (2018). • Space Shuttle Security: Florida National Guard units have played a role in providing security for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, especially during space shuttle launches. • State Partnership Program: Florida is partnered with Guyana under the National Guard State Partnership Program, enhancing military and civil relations internationally. • First Female General: In 2018, Brigadier General Valeria Gonzalez-Kerr became the first Hispanic female general officer in the history of the Florida National Guard. • Modern Structure: The Florida National Guard consists of over 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen, with major units including the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 125th Fighter Wing.