The Purpose of the National Guard

Steve Benen points to an article from KCBS news:

GREENSBURG, Kan. (AP) — The rebuilding effort in tornado-ravaged Greensburg, Kansas, likely will be hampered because some much-needed equipment is in Iraq, said that state’s governor.

Governor Kathleen Sebelius said much of the National Guard equipment usually positioned around the state to respond to emergencies is gone. She said not having immediate access to things like tents, trucks and semitrailers will really handicap the rebuilding effort.

three dots

The Kansas National Guard has about 40 percent of the equipment it is allotted because much of it has been sent to Iraq.

What’s the National Guard supposed to be for again?