MILWAUKEE, Wisc. - More than 3,000 Army and Air National Guard officers and enlisted members from across the United States began arriving here Thursday for the 133rd National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) General Conference and Exhibition, held at the Frontier Airlines Center and hosted by the Wisconsin National Guard.
"It is an honor and a privilege to welcome our fellow Guard members to Milwaukee," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin. "This conference offers a great opportunity to learn from each other, renew old friendships and start new ones."
NGAUS is a non-partisan professional association representing nearly 45,000 current and former Army and Air National Guard officers. It is dedicated to engaging Congress with the goal of obtaining better equipment, standardized training and a more combat-ready force.
The conference kicks off today with a special Freedom Ride beginning at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Approximately 100 National Guard officers will ride personal and rented motorcycles from the museum to Holy Hill and back.
The business agenda begins Saturday. Featured speakers include:
- Gov. Scott Walker, Saturday, at 12:30 p.m.
- Air Force Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
- Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command, Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
- Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Sunday at 11:15 a.m.
- U.S. Rep Tim Walz, co-chairman of the House National Guard and Reserve Components Caucus, Monday at 11 a.m.
Events are subject to change based on real world mission demands, such as the response to Hurricane Irene.
Most speakers will address the conference theme, The National Guard: Right for America, or any of a number of military and homeland security issues affecting the Guard.
The conference also includes a large trade show featuring an exhibition of Guard-related products and services of nearly 400 companies and organizations.