South Carolina National Guard

• Colonial Origins: The South Carolina National Guard traces its roots back to 1670, when the Carolina colony established its first militia units to protect settlers from Native American raids and foreign threats. • Revolutionary War Contributions: South Carolina’s militia played a pivotal role in the American Revolution, participating in key battles such as Cowpens, Camden, and King’s Mountain. • First Shots of Civil War: Units that would later become part of the South Carolina National Guard fired the first shots of the Civil War at Fort Sumter in 1861. • Palmetto Symbol: The palmetto tree, featured on the state flag and used in unit insignia, commemorates the defense of Fort Moultrie, built from palmetto logs, during the Revolutionary War. • World War I Service: The 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina Army National Guard, was awarded the Medal of Honor for its actions during World War I, one of only a handful of National Guard units to receive this honor. • Hurricane Hugo Response: In 1989, the South Carolina National Guard played a crucial role in disaster relief and recovery following Hurricane Hugo, helping restore order and aid communities. • Modern Deployments: Since 9/11, South Carolina National Guard units have been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other locations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. • Women in the Guard: In 1972, the first women enlisted in the South Carolina National Guard, and today, women serve in a wide variety of leadership and combat roles. • State Partnership Program: The South Carolina National Guard has a long-standing partnership with the Republic of Colombia through the National Guard State Partnership Program, fostering military and civil cooperation. • Historic Air Units: The 169th Fighter Wing, based at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, is one of the oldest flying units in the Air National Guard and flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon.