The Wisconsin National Guard has a presence in 67 communities throughout Wisconsin, where our soldiers and airmen serve. Through active community support programs, the Wisconsin National Guard strives to be a good neighbor and community partner. The Guard and its soldiers and airmen are extensively involved in local community organizations and often participate in or support the events they sponsor, but training and mission requirements always come first.
AVIATION
Did you know that the Wisconsin National Guard flies F-16s, KC-135s, and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in its Air and Army units? Learn more about how you could request a flyover or static display for qualifying events.
NON-AVIATION
The Wisconsin National Guard also supports community events in the form of color guards, vehicle static displays, speakers, tours, and parades.
BAND
Our 132nd Army Band is another resource that is available for community events, concerts, and performances. The band has a number of different ensembles available to meet the needs of community events large and small.
There are a number of state and federal restrictions on how the Wisconsin National Guard can support organizations and events. Organizations eligible for military support include federal, state and local governments, and certain private (non-profit) institutions when the activity concerned is conducted for the betterment of the community and does not selectively benefit any one individual or organization.
Events must be open and accessible to the public. Federal law and military regulations prohibit military agencies from competing with services available from commercial sources in the private sector. Use of government equipment and/or personnel in support of a private enterprise, whether profit or non-profit, or for promotional events of a select organization’s commercial activity or concern, is strictly prohibited by regulation.
Specific requirements for events include:
- The event or occasion is of general interest or benefit to the community as a whole.
- The sponsor is a broadly based civic organization or an organization whose primary purpose is to stimulate patriotism, promote public understanding of the necessity of national security, or foster public appreciation of our national heritage, and not promote the organization’s private objectives. (Exception: an organization whose membership is based on sex or national origin, or whose membership is otherwise narrowly defined, may be supported, if the program or event is open to the entire community. The program or event must not promote the partisan, fraternal, or commercial objectives of the organization itself).
- Requested support is specifically authorized by public law or executive order and is not restricted by other statutes or regulations.
- The command is able and willing to provide the same support to comparable events that meet the criteria of this section and are sponsored by similar non-federal entities.
- Community relations with the immediate community and/or other legitimate National Guard public affairs or military training interests are served by the support.
- No admission fee (beyond what will cover the reasonable costs of sponsoring the event) is charged for the event or charged for the portion of the event supported by the National Guard.
Restrictions:
The following general restrictions on Wisconsin National Guard support to community relations support are established in NGB Pam 360-5:
- Participation is prohibited unless admission, seating and all other accommodations and facilities connected with the event are available to all without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. Participation is also prohibited in public events when the sponsoring organization or group excludes any person from its membership or function because of sex, race, creed, color or national origin.
- National Guard participation in community relations programs must not interfere with military training or operations and must be at no additional expense to the U.S. Government. The sponsor may be required to reimburse additional cost such as meals, lodging and other travel expenses.
- Participation that supports commercial advertising, publicity, promotional activities or events so as to benefit or favor a commercial venture is prohibited.
- Participation is prohibited in any event in which the public is charged admission specifically to observe National Guard participation.
- Use of National Guard personnel as ushers, guards, parking lot attendants or messengers in support of community relations programs in the civilian domain is prohibited.
- Units and individuals participating in community relations programs may not be used in any manner to enforce local laws, statutes or ordinances (state active duty situations not included).
- Use of National Guard personnel in community relations programs will not compete with the civilian labor force or deny employment opportunities to civilians in their regular profession. Guard participation in the program should be coordinated with local elected officials and labor unions in order to preclude claims of unfair competition.
- Support will not directly or indirectly endorse or selectively benefit or favor any person, corporation, whether profit or non-profit; religion, sect, quasi-religious or ideological movement; fraternal organization, political organization or commercial venture.
- Support will not be provided to candidates for political office or for any partisan political activity.
Contact
Kelly Bradley
ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.community-relations@army.mil
Community Relations Officer
Phone: (608) 242-3055
Fax: (608) 242-3051
National Guard Aircraft flyovers
- Approval of an event for aerial support is NOT an indication the event will actually receive support. Once an event is approved for aerial support, event organizers must request the actual support from a Wisconsin Army or Air National Guard flying unit. Whether an approved event receives aviation support depends on aircraft and crew availability, and many other factors including training schedules and mission requirements.
- Army and Air Force approvals are only for aircraft from the respective service. An organization wishing to have an event approved for either Army National Guard or Air National Guard aircraft must submit a request to each service (the Air Guard can only consider events approved by the Air Force and the Army Guard can only consider events approved by the Army).
- There are many additional restrictions for flyovers, including number and type of aircraft, airspeed, altitude, and time of day.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordination is required to complete Section IV of DD Form 2535. The Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for Wisconsin is located in Milwaukee:
Milwaukee Flight Standards District Office
4915 S. Howell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Phone: (414) 486-2920
Fax: (414) 486-2921 or (414) 486-2922
Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Office visits by appointment only
Due to deployments and official mission requirements, the Army has initiated a moratorium on aerial support to civilian events. The Army recognizes that the public display of aviation units and assets has a high value for recruitment, public engagement, and the demonstration of national pride. However, these benefits must be carefully weighed against the Army’s ability to support the war fighter and wartime demands placed on aviation organizations. Exceptions to the moratorium include: Golden Knights demonstrations, requests for static displays and demonstrations by command parachute teams when those jumps are supported by other Armed Forces or civilian aircraft.
To get started on the aerial request, complete a DD Form 2535 Request for Military Aerial Support and note whether you wish to request a tactical aircraft exhibit, post open house, or parachute demonstration.
This form must be entirely completed and signed by the sponsoring organization, certified by the owner of the event site, and approved by the local Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) before it can be submitted to Army Public Affairs.
Once the form is completed and signed, submit it at least 90 days prior to the event by faxing the first three pages of DD Form 2535 directly to (703) 614-3354. Please include a point of contact’s name, telephone number and email address on the form.
• Air Force funeral flyovers should not be made through this system. To request a funeral flyover, please contact Air Force Mortuary Affairs at (800) 531-5803 to begin the eligibility determination process.
• Department of Defense policy limits flyovers in the civilian domain to:
- Patriotic observances held in conjunction with formal observances, free and open to the public, on Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Independence Day (July 4), Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Recognition Day (third Friday in September), and Veterans Day (November 11), when held within seven days of the holiday date. This does not mean that you can request a flyover for an event on July 2nd, justifying its eligibility because it falls within seven days on one of the DOD-approved holidays.
- Aviation-related events (i.e., air shows, airport anniversaries, etc.).
- National Level Sporting events selected by the Air Force. As a reminder, all sporting events require Air Force Public Affairs exception-to-policy approval regardless of the date.
• Flyovers will have a maximum of two Fighting Falcon F-16s, or one KC-135 Stratotanker.
• Air Force approval of an event for aerial support is NOT an indication the event will actually receive support. Once an event is approved by the Air Force, event organizers must request the actual aircraft to support through the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office. Whether an approved event receives aviation support depends on aircraft and crew availability, training schedules, mission requirements and Wisconsin National Guard leadership approval.
• Air Force approvals are only for aircraft from the respective service. An organization wishing to have an event approved for either Army National Guard or Air National Guard aircraft must submit a request to each service (the Air Guard can only consider events approved by the Air Force).
• There are many additional restrictions for flyovers, including number and type of aircraft, airspeed, altitude, and time of day.
• Wisconsin Air National Guard aviation support that may be requested includes static display aircraft or a flyover. An authorized flyover is a straight and level flight, limited to one pass, by no more than two tactical and one transport military aircraft of the same general type from the same military service over a predetermined point on the ground at a specific time and not involving aerobatics or demonstrations.
• Aerial demonstrations are reserved for air shows and will not be performed over other public events. The Wisconsin Air National Guard does not perform aerial demonstrations.
• Generally, the Air Force is unable to support fundraising events. If your event raises funds for any purpose, please call the Air Force Aerial Events Office at (703) 695-9664 to discuss your options.
Non-aviation requests
A color guard is a four-person formation of National Guard soldiers in appropriate military uniform who post and retire the flag, rendering to it the proper customs and courtesies. This time-honored traditional detail adds dignity to any military-related activity while showing respect to our nation and those who have served it.
If you plan to include representatives of other branches of the U.S. military in the color guard for your event, Wisconsin National Guard policy is to follow Department of Defense and Department of the Army regulations
and directives governing the use of a “Joint Armed Forces Color Guard.”
Those regulations and directives require that one flag of the United States will be carried in the joint color guard and that it will be carried by the senior member of the senior service (Army). No other U. S.
flags will be carried in such a ceremony.
A Joint Armed Forces Color Guard consists of two Army flag-bearers carrying national and Army colors; one flag bearer from the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard with individual military Service colors;
one Army and one Marine Corps rifleman as escorts. ALTERNATIVE: The Wisconsin state flag can be added to the color guard and should be carried by a member of the Wisconsin National Guard (Air Guard or Army Guard).
References to the appropriate regulations and directives are included below.
To request a color guard from the Wisconsin National Guard, event organizers should submit a completed
DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) to the Community Relations Officer of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office by
email to
ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.community-relations@army.mil (preferred) or fax (608) 242-3051.
Requests should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event. Requests without a completed form or received after this deadline will not be considered.
Army Regulation (AR) 360-1:
7–6. Color guards
a. In public programs for which Army support has been authorized and at which the display of colors is appropriate, a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard will be employed, when available, using the following composition:
(1) Two Army flagbearers with national and Army colors.
(2) One each Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard flag bearer with individual military Service colors.
(3) One Army and one Marine Corps rifleman as escorts.
b. When a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard cannot be formed, the senior member of the senior military Service in the color guard will carry the national colors. Soldiers, when present, will carry the colors since the Army is the senior Service
Department of Defense Instruction Armed Forces Community Relations Policy 5410.19
E2.1.44. Patriotic Opener. A short ceremony involving a color guard and/or musical unit that honors the Nation, is approximately 15 to 20 minutes in duration, and is designed to establish a patriotic mood or tone that initiates the formal portion of a civic, Military, or governmental event. The musical program shall include the national anthem unless the ceremony includes the “Pledge of Allegiance.
4.8.12. When a Joint Armed Forces ColoG gua,rdshall include representatives from as many Military Services as possible and be conducted in accordance with DoD Directive 1005.8 (reference (t)). Musical units may provide a program, prior to the formal presentation of the American flag and the flags of the Military Services, that shall be approximately 15 to 20 minutes and shall be limited to military and patriotic selections. Patriotic or military music is defined as music focusing on the themes of national pride or recognition of service to the nation, and music such as marches or other military-related themes having a traditional musical connection with the military.
Department of Defense Instruction Public Affairs Community Relations Policy 5410.18
Community Relations Activities Policy Guidelines
4.2.2.3. Participation by more than one Military Service must be considered when extensive support is required, or when cross-Military Service representation is applicable, as in joint Armed Forces color guards.
4.8.11. In public programs for which DoD support has been authorized and at which the display of Colors is in the best interest of the Department of Defense, a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard shall be employed, when available, using the following composition:
4.8.11.1. Two Army flag-bearers carrying national and Army colors.One each Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard flag bearer with individual military Service colors.One Army and one Marine Corps rifleman as escorts.ALTERNATIVE: The Wisconsin state flag can be added to the color guard and should be carried by a member of the Wisconsin National Guard (Air Guard or Army Guard).
References to the appropriate regulations and directives are included below.
To request a color guard from the Wisconsin National Guard, event organizers should submit a completed DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) to the closest Wisconsin National Guard unit or to the:
The Wisconsin National Guard can provide speakers for Veteran’s Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day public observances, as well as for many other appropriate public events. National Guard personnel can speak on a wide variety of military topics. Requesters may call the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs Public Affairs Office at (608) 242-3048 to discuss the possibilities.
To request a speaker from the National Guard, event organizers should submit a completed
DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) to the
Community Relations Officer of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office by
email to
ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.community-relations@army.mil (preferred) or fax (608) 242-3051.
Requests should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event. Requests without a completed form or received after this deadline will not be considered.
Units of the Wisconsin National Guard may be requested to provide marching units or military vehicles for community parades in and around the unit’s home station.
To request a marching unit from a Wisconsin National Guard unit, event organizers should submit a completed
DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) to the Community Relations Officer of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office by
email to
ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.community-relations@army.mil (preferred) or fax (608) 242-3051.
Requests should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event. Requests without a completed form or received after this deadline will not be considered.
Nonaviation: Event organizers should be aware that static display requests are subject to a number of restrictions and are supported only where they do not negatively impact operational mission readiness. To request a static display vehicle from a Wisconsin National Guard unit, event organizers should submit a completed DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) to the Community Relations Officer of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office by email to: ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.community-relations@army.mil (preferred) or fax (608) 242-3051.
Aviation: Wisconsin Army National Guard aircraft include UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in Madison and UH-1 Huey helicopters in West Bend. Wisconsin Air National Guard aircraft include F-16C fighters in Madison and KC-135R tankers in Milwaukee.
Organizations requesting a static display aircraft from the Wisconsin Army or Air National Guard must submit a completed DD Form 2535 (Request for Military Aerial Support) to the applicable service:
AIR FORCE REQUESTS
AIR FORCESAF/PAN
Attn: Aviation Support
1690 AF Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1690
Phone: (703) 695-9664
Fax: (703) 693-9601
ARMY REQUESTS
Office of the Chief of Public Affairs
Attn: Community Relations Team
1500 Army Pentagon
Washington, DC 20310-1500
Phone: (703) 695-2957
Fax: (703) 695-6253
Requests should be submitted 60 days prior to the event.
Requests received after this deadline will not be considered.
NOTES ON AIRCRAFT STATIC DISPLAY REQUESTS
Approval of an event for aerial support does NOT indicate the event will actually receive support. Once an event approved for aerial support, event organizers must request the actual support from a Wisconsin Army or Air National Guard flying unit. Whether an approved event receives aviation support depends on aircraft and crew availability, and many other factors including training schedules and mission requirements.
Army and Air Force approvals are only for aircraft from the individual service. An organization wishing to have an event approved for either Army National Guard aircraft or Air National Guard aircraft must submit a request to each service.
BAND
Wisconsin National Guard’s 132nd Army Band
The 132
nd Army band performs at ceremonies, parades, festivals, professional sporting events, concerts and other public events across the state. To request Wisconsin National Guard band participation in public
events, submit a completed
DD Form 2536 (Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events) to the Community Relations Officer of the Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office by
email to
ng.wi.wiarng.mbx.community-relations@army.mil (preferred) or fax (608) 242-3051.
Requests should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event. Requests without a completed form or received after this deadline will not be considered.
