Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, Wyoming’s Adjutant General, told the Joint Appropriations Committee on Dec. 16 that the National Guard returned from recent deployments and that the department seeks targeted exception funding to improve training-area wildfire response, support veterans services and preserve readiness.

Porter reviewed heavy deployments during the year — including the state’s HIMARS battalion and field-artillery headquarters to CENTCOM — and said most deployed soldiers have returned. He noted ongoing planning for an Air Guard deployable combat wing mission next year and described Guard support for ICE processing missions in-state.

On exception requests, the department sought equipment for Camp Guernsey tailored to wildland firefighting: pump-and-roll type Type 6 engines and tactical tenders better suited to rough terrain and initial-attack work than structural firefighting trucks. Porter said the Camp’s historical equipment is structure-focused and that the new apparatus would help contain fires inside the training area and provide mutual aid to local counties within driving distance.

Porter also outlined several IT and records requests for veterans’ services (Veteranspec licenses, PastPerfect artifact-catalog software) and a recurring lease increase for property near the Casper Readiness Center; he said proceeds relate to the Miners’ Hospital Fund under existing arrangements. The department requested footnote authority to create positions paid by federal funds when grant monies arrive, a recurring practice to facilitate timely federal program work.

Committee members asked about recruitment and strength: Porter said the Army side is approximately 97% strength and the Air Guard around 92%, noting transitions ahead of equipment changes and impending deployments. On counter-UAS capability, Porter said the department reviewed options but recommended not procuring a capability now because of FAA and legal constraints and rapid technology obsolescence.

Porter closed by asking the committee to consider two recruiting bills in the upcoming session: an increased referral bonus and a state extension bonus for select MOSs to help maintain strength. The committee will review the exception items during markup.