FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 26, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Office of External Affairs
Tallahassee, Fla. — In the last year, the Florida State Guard (FSG) achieved a 425% growth in personnel, established three new operational units, initiated five construction projects to support statewide posture requirements, and deployed forces ten times throughout Florida, Texas, and North Carolina in support of emergency management and public safety operations.
“We intend to serve Florida as a cornerstone of the state’s crisis and emergency response, alongside our state and local partners,” said Executive Director Mark Thieme. “The agency has demonstrated remarkable achievement in 2024 thanks to the Governor’s steadfast leadership and the resourcing support from the Florida Legislature. Our Soldiers will continue to deliver towards Governor DeSantis’ vision of developing the nation’s premier state defense force.”
RECRUITING AND TRAINING FLORIDA’S FINEST
In 2024, the FSG recruited, enlisted, and trained approximately 500 new members, representing an unprecedented 425% growth rate within the calendar year.
The agency increased its Initial Entry Training (IET) camps from one to three per year to accelerate growth and meet the high demand for qualified applicants.
The agency launched three new operational units, establishing the Aviation Response Squadron, Maritime Response Squadron, and the Special Missions Unit.
Demonstrating the joint operations potential of FSG’s air, ground, and maritime units, the agency conducted its first-ever multi-county mission-rehearsal exercise, deploying and sustaining units in the field between central and southern Florida simulating a two-week hurricane disaster response scenario.
KEY PARTNERSHIPS
Strengthening interoperability with agencies statewide, the FSG conducted year-round operations and training missions with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and the Florida National Guard (FLNG).
IMPROVING CAPABILITIES
The Aviation Response Squadron equipped 12 new drone teams and received their first three aircraft: two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters,and one King Air 350ER, increasing capability to support maritime interdiction, medical evacuation assistance, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations.
The Special Missions Unit developed a new K-9 program in partnership with state and county law enforcement agencies to augment their search and rescue capabilities.
The Crisis Response Battalion advanced its route clearance and search and rescue capabilities through the addition of earth-moving equipment and state-of-the-art amphibious rescue vehicles. During the 2024 hurricane season, the Crisis Response Battalion demonstrated the capability to independently establish and operate point-of-distribution locations.
The Maritime Response Squadron expanded from four to fifteen boat teams, improving their capabilities to support waterway reconnaissance and disaster relief throughout rivers and inland waterways.
Enhancing statewide posture, the FSG initiated construction programs for a new multi-agency regional training campus in Flagler County, new aviation hangar construction programs at Tallahassee International Airport and Lakeland Linder Airport, and two new warehousing and equipment storage facilities aboard Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.
SERVING FLORIDIANS, ANYTIME ANYWHERE
From February through late June, the FSG deployed 100+ Soldiers from the Crisis Response Battalion to Operation Lone Star in Eagle Pass, TX to support the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Military Department in protecting the U.S. Southern Border from the dangers of illegal immigration. Throughout the mission, the FSG removed and replaced 1,600+ feet of hasty c-wire, installed 10,000+ feet of deliberate c-wire, and positioned nearly three miles of panel walls.
From March through October, the agency deployed members of the Aviation Response Squadron and the Special Missions Unit as a force-multiplier for FDLE as Tactical Flight Officers assigned to Operation Vigilant Sentry. Defending Florida’s coastal waters from the threats of illegal immigration, the FSG conducted aerial surveillance with 150+ flight hours.
During the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, 600+ FSG Soldiers partnered with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), FWC, FDLE, and the FLNG to conduct 300+ search and rescue missions, 220+ health and welfare checks, and deliver recovery supplies to 2,000+ Florida families in response to Hurricanes Debby, Milton, and Helene.
In response to Hurricane Helene, the Aviation Response Squadron and Special Missions Unit deployed with FWC for Operation Blue Ridge to assist and rescue stranded Floridians in North Carolina's affected communities.
The agency will capitalize on the momentum gained this year to continue protecting and preserving the life and property of the people of Florida from all threats to public safety through rapid deployment of ground, maritime, and air capabilities in partnership with state and local agencies.
ABOUT FLORIDA STATE GUARD | WHEN DISASTER CALLS, WE ANSWER.
Reactivated in 2022, the Florida State Guard is a force multiplier for statewide emergency response and public safety. The Florida State Guard’s continued growth in capability and personnel strengthens Florida’s emergency response in ground, air, maritime, and special operations. The Florida State Guard is committed to protecting the life and property of Floridians from all threats to public safety. For more information, visit https://www.floridastateguard.org/ . Connect with the Florida State Guard on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
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