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Brief History Alabama State Defense Force
The
origins of the Alabama State Defense Force (ASDF) can be traced to the
1800's as volunteer companies such as the Montgomery True Blues and the
Mobile Cadets. During the war between the states, four Alabama regiments
served as state reserves.
During W W I, the Alabama National Guard was mobilized and many companies at the county level served during this conflict. At that time, the Alabama State Guard was organized. The first commander was Colonel George L. Cleere, later to be promoted to brigadier general (BG), and still later to be appointed by the governor as Adjutant General of Alabama. In 1983, the Alabama State Legislature authorized the ALSDF by Act 83-924 and by Executive Order Number 20, signed by Governor George C. Wallace on December 22, 1983. On December 30, 1983, the Alabama State Military Department issued Order Number 100-2 authorizing the ALSDF cadre strength of 500, with mobilization strength of 5000. The first commander of ALSDF was Major General (MG) Herman A. Price, Jr. During the Gulf War, the Alabama National Guard was activated and ALSDF provided family support and family assistance. Twenty-seven ALSDF members were called to active-duty to render this service to Al NG unit members. In 1992, MG Charlie F. Kinsal was appointed commander. MG Fred Jones assumed command in 1993. From 1996 to January 1999, MG James L. Horak commanded ALSDF. From 1999 to 2003, MG Fred Jones commanded the unit. BG Charlie C. Rowe is the current commander, Montgomery, Al. Four brigades are located throughout the state: The First Brigade (northern Alabama), commanded by BG James M. Chatfield, Huntsville; The Second Brigade (central Alabama), commanded by BG Billy G. Raley, Montgomery; The Third Brigade (southwest Alabama), commanded by BG Ronald G. Noland, Mobile; and The Fourth Brigade (southeast Alabama) is commanded by BG John K. Gibler, Marion. 3rd Brigade
In 1983 a
few veterans met at Fort McCorkle Army National guard Armory to discuss
forming the 3rd brigade of ALSDF. Three months later, the unit began to
meet at Fort Whiting Army National Guard Armory. Brigadier General
(BG) Pat Kilcullen was appointed as the first commander. The primary
mission was to support the Alabama National Guard in the event of a
federal activation of the Guard. Early records indicate J.C. Bankston,
U.S. Grant, and Charles McDonald were among the charter members.
BG Mike Akridge assumed command in 1987 and embership began to increase as more veterans and non-prior service members desired to affiliate with the unit and its mission. In 1993, BG James L. Horak, Sr. was appointed commander. Under his direction, an additional mission was acquired: that of support to the Alabama Emergency Agency (AEMA), headquarted in Clanton, Al and emergency disaster support to 11 emergency management agencies in southwest Alabama. BG Ellis V. Ollinger, Jr. assumed command of the 3rd Brigade in July 1997 and the unit continued to increase in number. The current commander, BG Ronald G. Noland, was appointed commander on 7 April, 2002 and received his promotion orders from BG J Ray Warren, Hq, ALSDF, Deputy Commander, South in a change of command ceremony. The unit participates annually in a command post exercise held at Ft McClellan, Alabama National Guard Training Site, with other brigades when funds permit. Unit members have assisted FEMA/AEMA during Hurricanes Danny and Georges and the flood of Elba, Al in the mid 1990's. The brigade is very active within Baldwin and Mobile County by providing traiffic control assistance for special events, assisting at the Bayfest event, providing additional security to US Naval ships docked in Mobile, and assisting the Mobile County Emergency Agency with a Home Land Defense project
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