National Guard units and military installations from states in the path of totality \u2014 where the moon temporarily, completely covers the sun \u2014 are arranging plans ahead of a predicted tourism surge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Oklahoma, the National Guard plans to be on call to aid local government agencies and first responders with hazardous material response, according to a release<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis influx of visitors has the potential to overtax local resources and thanks to the training and experience our Guardsmen have working alongside local agencies all across Oklahoma, the [unit] is uniquely qualified to support our fellow Oklahomans,\u201d Lt. Col. Jabonn Flurry, 63rd Civil Support Team commander, said in the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, a spokesperson from the Illinois National Guard told Military Times their force was coordinating with state emergency management officials to prepare for the expected crowds and traffic, forecasting a small footprint from their 5th Civil Support Team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The New York National Guard will have 150 soldiers and airmen on standby with 36 vehicles across three locations to aid state or local authorities if asked, as well as CH-47 and aircrew, a spokesperson told Military Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last month, first responders in Arkansas, including the state\u2019s National Guard<\/a>, conducted a live training exercise to warm up for possible scenarios caused by the increase in guests. They\u2019ll also be distributing<\/a> roughly 23,000 eclipse glasses at public events and local recruiting stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elsewhere, Fort Cavazos, Texas, is readying itself for an inflow of travelers to Bell County, which recently issued a local emergency declaration<\/a> due to the anticipated extreme traffic congestion, strain on first responders and shortages on fuel and groceries. The installation is closing certain gates and adding barriers and checkpoints in the training area as a precautionary safety measure, according to a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The military has extended a ray of help to communities of stargazers during past solar eclipses. In 2017, the governor of Oregon authorized the state\u2019s National Guard to activate<\/a> around six Guard aircraft and 150 service members to assist first responders during a solar eclipse. Plus, other Guard units from around the country, from Nebraska to South Carolina, were on standby to assist<\/a> if requested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This year, the path of the eclipse enters the United States in Texas, then travels through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine as well as small parts of Tennessee and Michigan, according to NASA<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But not all Guard units from states in the path of totality are involved in preparation for the upcoming event. Spokespeople from Maine, Pennsylvania and Texas all told Military Times that as of early this week their Guardsmen had not been tasked, or that there were no plans to mobilize units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/sun-glasses.jpg.jpg\")