The Columbia National Guard (COLNG), i.e., the Army and Air National Guard, is a key asset for military support to civil authorities (MSCA) for disaster and domestic responses in Columbia. Unless federalized, the COLNG operates in State active duty status (when it is State-resourced) and, in certain cases, in Title 32 status (when it is federally resourced); in either case, it operates under the direction and control of the Governor.

The COLNG can be mobilized, both as units and as individuals, in anticipation of events by the Governor to enable response to a civil support mission in a matter of hours. The COLNG strength is approximately 4,600 Guard members from across the State and can be augmented by retired Guardsmen for some missions. The Governor, in addition being able to employ large numbers of the COLNG during the first days of the response, can also request response from every State, U.S. Territory, and the District of Columbia through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), increasing the total number of National Guardsmen to many thousands within 96 hours of the Governor’s oral request for forces and to even more troops within seven days of that request. EMAC agreements allow governors to call on neighboring States for help without having to surrender control of the recovery effort to Federal authorities.

While there are some limitations to consider in relying on the COLNG forces for response, including the availability of volunteers and transportation (military and civilian) and the large variability with which Guard assets are able to deploy, the contribution of the Guard during a catastrophic disaster can be significant. Limitations to using this resource include deployments to other missions, dual roles that some Guardsmen fill, e.g., the medical units from areas impacted by a disaster may have primary roles in hospitals and EMS, or in other specialty teams.

The Columbia Air National Guard (COLANG) component of the NG supports State and local civil authorities with airlift, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and aerial reconnaissance. Critical capabilities include medical triage, aerial evacuation, situation awareness, and assessment.

The COLNG also operates armories that may be made available for support such as to public health officials to facilitate the emergency distribution of medicine and to other State and Federal partners for commodity storage and redistribution.

The following is an extract from the Department of Military Affairs Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) Plan. Each NG Armory has a full copy of the plan, and it is available to civilian authorities upon request. This plan is consistent with, and derives its authority from, the Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 3015.1 – Military Support to Civil Authorities. The following procedures and instructions apply to all COL Army NG and Columbia Air NG units. These procedures and instructions govern COLNG operations during State Active Duty (SAD) Operations. Each NG commander has the authority to act expeditiously to save lives and protect property as an exception to the procedures and instructions listed below.

Concept of Employment - State Military Forces respond in State Active Duty Status to Aid Civil Authorities.

• Local executive official to Governor via Columbia State Emergency Management Agency.
• Governor can activate for State emergency including activation/request to adjacent State government for deployment of nearest NG Homeland Response Force (HRF), NG Civil Support Team (CST) and CBRNE Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP). 
• President can “call” to duty.

The Governor issues a proclamation that directs the chief of staff to the Governor to order all or a portion into State Active Duty(SAD) and assigns a specific mission or type mission, (e.g., conduct life support operations, emergency snow removal, assist local authority to quell civil disturbance).

The chief of staff authorizes the Adjutant General (TAG) of the COLNG to activate and deploy forces as directed (or implied). The TAG notifies the Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) of the Columbia National Guard and its Joint Operations Center to manage the military support to civil authorities. When activated, the JFHQ-COL Joint Emergency Operations Center (JEOC) establishes and maintains communications with the COLNG’s major commands (MACOMs), and other affected military organizations as well as designated local, State, and Federal agencies. The JEOC coordinates and facilitates the application of resources (personnel and equipment) to support State or Federal Activation. The Joint Operations Center also maintains unit readiness information; supports the preparation of operations orders and plans and supports disaster relief operations as directed.

A task force (TF) commander is usually designated who then will operationally control the COLNG troops. Liaison Officers from the COLNG report to local officials for preliminary coordination. Verbal orders are issued to the TF commander outlining the mission(s), including task organization (troop units), coordinating instructions, and any restrictions (ammunition, carrying weapons, uniforms, special equipment, etc.). Verbal orders are confirmed in writing.

The TF commander activates units, issues verbal orders, and dispatches Liaison Officers. Staff planning and estimates are initiated. Unit commanders issue orders to report and ready transportation (full-time personnel). Troops report, load onto transportation, and depart. COLNG JFHQ-COL DSCA staff operates the COLNG Joint Emergency Operations Center (JEOC) and coordinates with transportation agencies (bus companies) and headquarters that will support the operation. The TF commander and selected staff report to local officials to complete coordination issue orders for employment. Other supervision and direct operations are handled through subordinate commanders and their staff.

Troops are employed under a single commander/leader as an integral unit or composite unit. Chain of Command, as well as other elements of the Incident Command System (ICS), is followed in order to maximize control, effective employment, and discipline.

Troops are not commanded or directed by civilian authority but rather the commander is provided missions or tasks which are then the commander’s responsibility to accomplish. Technical advice and assistance may be furnished to the commander by civilian police officers, prison officials, firefighters, physicians, etc.

All COLNG personnel are supported with food, fuel, housing, equipment, medical, and personnel support by resources within the COLNG units.

The Adjutant General (TAG)-JEOC will issue orders for deactivation of units when conditions permit, the Unified Command determines the missions are completed, and the support of the COLNG can be ended.

• Analytical Laboratory System (ALS): Supports quick analysis of chemical makeup of substances; radioisotope identification; identification of >150,000 volatile organic compounds (VOC) and most chemical warfare agents from solid, liquid, or vapor samples; presumptive detection of select biological agents; chemical reactivity-based identification of unknown chemicals by hazard class; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) identification of biological organisms.
• Computer Modeling and Response Database Systems: Supports the joint assessment of catastrophic events; GIS-based hazard plume modeling; simulating effects of customized CBRN weapons.
• Personal Protective Equipment: Supports Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Level “A–C” and personal decontamination.
• Reconnaissance, Detection, Sampling Gear: Supports detection and measurement of alpha, beta, gamma, and x-ray radiation sources; detection of toxic industrial chemicals; photo-ionization detection of oxygen, lower exposure limit (LEL), and toxic vapor sensors; presumptive identification of eight biological agents; point-detection of nerve, blood, and blister agents; remote detection of nerve and blister agents; military chemical agent vapors; collecting viable liquid, powder, and other samples in a wide variety of matrices with a secure chain of custody.
• Unified Command Suite (UCS) - Communications Van: Supports communication by cellular phone, laptop, International Marine/Maritime Satellite (INMARSAT)-B; portable data and voice SATCOM; secure-capable, wide-bandwidth for data and voice reach back; military Very High Frequency (VHF)/Ultra High Frequency (UHF); intra-team communications and responder communications.