Following World War II, National Guard aviation units became the Air National Guard. The Guard has participated in each conflict since, including the Korean War, the Berlin Crisis of 1961-1962, and the Vietnam Wars where over 23,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called up for a year of active duty. In Operation Desert Storm in 1991, over 75,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called upon. The federal mission of the National Guard has shifted since the 1990s, with the new focus on responding to humanitarian crises and peacekeeping missions. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, States and the Federal government to combat terrorism domestically and abroad have called up over 650,000 Guardmemebers.
Domestically, the Guard has used their unique and special skills to respond to natural disasters, including the huge response to Hurricane Katrina. In this operation, over 50,000 troops deployed to the Gulf States within 2 weeks of the storm. The National Guard's historic mission of providing trained and equipped units to the states to protect life and property and to the nation to defend American interests globally are continuing to be served.
