JP 3-33, Joint Task Force Headquarters - Defense Innovation ...

APPENDIX E
JOINT TASK FORCE-STATE
1. Background
The NG normally will be on-scene, in their Title 32, USC, or state active duty status
supporting a state-managed emergency response when DOD is directed to conduct a DSCA
mission. Various command arrangements are available when military forces in different
legal statuses and with separate chains of command support state civil authorities. A clear
understanding of these arrangements is essential for effective coordination to ensure unity of
effort. This appendix describes state authorities and operational relationships, simultaneous
state and federal responses, and domestic considerations.
2. Authorities and Operational Relationships
a. JTF-State Establishment. Per DODD 5105.83, National Guard Joint Force
Headquarters – State (NG JFHQs-State), each state maintains an NG JFHQ-State under their
respective state’s adjutant general that exercises administrative control (ADCON) of the Air
and Army NG elements. These NG forces may be in a purely state active duty status, or in
federally funded Title 32, USC, status, or a combination of either status. Regardless of
status, these NG forces may be organized as a JTF-State under the OPCON of a predesignated
commander and staff. Just as the preferred option for organizing a Title 10, USC,
JTF HQ is to form it around a CCMD’s Service component HQ or the Service component’s
existing subordinate HQ, the JTF-State command element is nominally formed around an
existing NG command within a state. DOD provides specialized training for pre-designated
commanders and staffs via USNORTHCOM.
b. JTF-State C2. As the state’s senior military commander on scene, the JTF-State
commander is responsible for the safe, efficient, and legal employment of all state military
forces. The JTF-State commander and staff provide C2 and facilitate the flow of information
between the governor or adjutant general and the activated units. The JTF-State commander
must maintain situational awareness of local, state, and federal actions to ensure the
adequacy and effectiveness of response, support, and safety activities by working closely
with the event or incident commander. The JTF-State commander also has the responsibility
to know what capabilities the various NG units in the state possess and how they might be
applied to the incident at hand so that they can be efficiently used to provide the most
effective response possible. The JTF-State commander can request that the NG JFHQ-State
activate and deploy additional units if additional capabilities are required. The JTF-State
commander also may, with the approval of the governor and with the consent of the
President of the United States, be called into federal service and continue service under state
regulations so that they may command both regular, Title 10, USC, and NG forces (dual
status command), thus facilitating unity of effort for all military forces at the incident site.
c. Supporting States. NG forces operating within the US and its territories remain
under the command of their governor, exercised through the adjutant general and NG JFHQ-
State. The exception is the Washington, DC NG where the adjutant general position does
not exist. A general officer commands the DC NG. Other states may provide NG forces to
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