The Florida State Guard seeks legislative approval to expand its operations, including adding medics and aircraft for better emergency response.
Mark Thieme, the Executive Director, shared this with the House Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. He mentioned that they currently lack medical expertise when deploying soldiers to tough environments. While they have skilled medics in their ranks, they need the authority to use them in local communities.
Governor Ron DeSantis revived the State Guard in 2022 to support the Florida National Guard during crises. Last year, he even sent them to Texas for border operations. With the new administration, they might also assist with immigration enforcement.
Thieme expects the State Guard to grow to about 1,000 members by the end of June and reach 1,200 by year’s end. They’re eager to keep expanding.
He explained that the new capabilities in aviation and maritime would help fulfill the governor’s vision for the State Guard, working alongside other state agencies. Currently, they operate two Black Hawk helicopters and a King Air plane for long missions, but they’re eyeing more aircraft.
The legislative session kicks off on March 4. The State Guard was originally formed during World War II to fill in for National Guard members who were deployed. It went inactive in 1947, but now it’s making a comeback.
