INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana National Guard (INNG) closed out the federal fiscal year with strong force structure, increased combat readiness and continued modernization across its Army and Air components, building on Governor Mike Braun’s focus on ensuring Indiana maintains a ready, capable and modern military force.
At the close of fiscal year 2026, the Indiana Army National Guard reached 103% of its authorized strength, while the Indiana Air National Guard reached 105%. The INNG’s combined strength represents one of its strongest positions in more than a decade.
These results reflect a year of focused recruiting, retention, training, and force modernization across the INNG.
“It is critical that our National Guard stays at the ready and that we are doing everything we can to support them so that when the call is made, no matter what it is, they are prepared to answer it,” said Gov. Braun. “The importance of that readiness was abundantly clear after August’s severe weather when National Guardsmen were called to help in the cleanup. Our National Guard is among the strongest in the nation. I’m committed to ensuring they have the training and resources they need to continue building on their strength, and always remain ready.”
“Our force strength is important, but what matters most is what that strength allows us to do,” said Maj. Gen. Larry Muennich, Indiana’s adjutant general. “This year, we put that strength to work — training for combat, modernizing our facilities, strengthening our partnerships and preparing our Soldiers and Airmen. We are proud of where we finished this year, but our focus remains on what comes next — building a force that is ready to deploy, fight and win, whenever and wherever our nation calls.”
The INNG’s fiscal year closeout comes at the end of a training year defined by an increased emphasis on warfighter readiness.
This summer, the INNG conducted one of the first Combat Readiness Exercises of its kind, bringing together thousands of U.S. and allied personnel at Camp Atterbury and Muscatatuck Training Center to test the Indiana Army National Guard’s ability to deploy, integrate with partners, and conduct large-scale combat operations.
The exercise was part of Indiana’s broader transformation into a leaner, more lethal, and more agile force, including the transformation of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team to the Mobile Brigade and the continued development of unmanned aircraft system capabilities.
The INNG continues to demonstrate its readiness overseas. Indiana Guardsmen participated in training alongside Slovak forces in Slovakia, reinforcing the state’s more than three-decade State Partnership Program relationship with our NATO ally.
The INNG continues to make tremendous progress with both state and federal support. This support has allowed for the modernization of infrastructure and investment in the future of INNG facilities in Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, and armories across the state.
With the Air Guard reaching 105% strength, the Indiana Air National Guard enters the next fiscal year with a strong foundation for continued modernization and mission readiness.
Recruiting remained a critical component of the INNG’s success throughout the year. Tech. Sgt. Brent Walker of the Indiana Air National Guard recruited 50 new Air Guardsmen, demonstrating the impact individual recruiters can have on building a strong and ready force.
The INNG continues to offer Hoosiers the opportunity to serve their state and nation while building leadership skills, resilience, and valuable experience that translate to civilian careers and communities.
A highlight of 2026 was the INNG hosting the 148th National Guard Association of the United States conference in Indianapolis this past August. This conference allowed Indiana to showcase the INNG and provided an opportunity to give long overdue recognition to the Indiana Rangers. During the opening ceremony, former members of Company D, 151st Infantry Regiment — the Indiana Rangers — received the Presidential Unit Citation, the U.S. military’s highest unit award, for their extraordinary service during the Vietnam War. The Indiana Rangers were the only National Guard ground maneuver unit to deploy to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, and their service helped demonstrate the ability of reserve forces to integrate alongside active-duty forces in combat.
For the Indiana National Guard, the recognition served as both a tribute to the legacy of those who served before them and a reminder of the standard today’s Soldiers and Airmen are expected to uphold.
The results of fiscal year 2026 reflect a force focused not simply on being bigger, but on being ready, relevant, and capable of winning in an increasingly complex operating environment. The Indiana National Guard enters the next fiscal year with a stronger force, modernizing capabilities, enduring partnerships, and a clear focus on warfighter readiness.
