The Governor can activate National Guard personnel to "State Active Duty" in response to natural or human-made disasters or Homeland Defense missions. State Active Duty is based on State statute and policy and on State funds. Soldiers and Airmen remain under the command and control of the Governor.

the President may call into Federal service members and units of the National Guard of any State in such numbers as he considers necessary to repel the invasion, suppress the rebellion, or execute those laws.

The National Guard has a wide range of duties, and it has often been deployed to provide disaster relief. Most recently, it was called upon to help out during the devastating forest fires in California in January 2025.