The article “State Defense Forces and Homeland Security” by Arthur N. Tulak, Robert W. Kraft, and Don Silbaughexplores how State Defense Forces (SDFs) can fill vital homeland defense roles for U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) when the National Guard is unavailable due to federal mobilization. It explains that SDFs, composed of state-controlled volunteers, are already integrated into emergency management systems across more than twenty states and serve as a third tier of defense behind federal and National Guard forces. The authors argue that since SDFs cannot be federalized under Title 32 U.S. Code §109, they remain under state control and can provide consistent, specialized support in disaster response, crisis management, and counterterrorism operations. The paper discusses the organizational and communication challenges facing first responders and how SDFs can bridge these gaps through standardized procedures and emergency management expertise. It highlights examples of SDF activations, including responses to the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the TWA Flight 800 crash, and the 9/11 attacks, where SDF units provided command, control, communication, and logistics support. The authors conclude that SDFs represent a valuable, cost-effective, and underutilized resource for homeland security, recommending that NORTHCOM incorporate them into future contingency plans to ensure stronger coordination between federal, state, and local defense operations.
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