Guard running low on equipment
National Guard units in 31 states say four years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have left them with 60% or less of their authorized equipment, a USA TODAY review found.
Eighteen of those 31 states report having half or fewer of the vehicles, aircraft, radios, weapons and other items they are authorized to have for home-front uses, the 50-state review found.
Guard leaders say the shortfalls raise concerns about whether some state units would be able to help other states as they did when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005.
"If the percentage of equipment (continues to fall), we may well be in the same situation as some of the other states in not being able to answer the call," Ohio National Guard spokesman Mark Wayda said.
Still, Guard leaders in East Coast and Southeastern states vulnerable to hurricanes say they are able to meet anticipated emergencies in their states. A few others say they, too, are ready for emergencies.
"We're in especially good shape," said Lt. Col. Tim Donovan, Wisconsin National Guard spokesman.
Some of the Guard's equipment has been destroyed or left behind in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the review found.
The shortage is reaching a crisis in Pennsylvania, Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright said. Pennsylvania has 49% of equipment available, she said, and much of that is old.
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