Guard's mobilization training, readiness good for America, Chief says Published June 2, 2009 By Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith National Guard Bureau WASHINGTON -- The National Guard is giving more back to the America in the 21st Century through its increased readiness and ability to rapidly deploy for federal and state callouts, the Guard Bureau's top military officer said yesterday. Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told an audience here at the Center for National Policy that since 9/11 the Guard has drastically reduced the time it takes to mobilize in support of the president and the governors. "We've accelerated the training, we've accelerated the equipping, our leadership has changed dramatically, so today most of our formations take less than 90 days to go through a pre-mobilization buildup," said the general. Aside from the advantage of getting boots-on-the-ground faster in support of theater commanders, McKinley said the consequences of a Guard that's always ready is that it provides "a highly trained force" that can be used in state callouts for disasters and national security events. "The military first responders in a state more than likely today will be your National Guard," he said. In his first six months as the Guard's first four-star general, McKinley said the National Guard has continued its engagements around the globe while responding to historic callouts by the governors for support in disasters like the Kentucky ice storms in late January and security events like the presidential inauguration. McKinley also pointed out that the National Guard is heavily involved in supporting the active-duty Army and the Air Force overseas. "While we sit here, between 30,000 and 35,000 members of the National Guard are involved either in Iraq or Afghanistan," he said.