incursions, and handle other emergencies that would normally fall to the National Guard. The Maine State Guard was reactivated during World War II to replace the Maine National Guard by handling its stateside responsibilities, including assuming responsibility for natural disaster response and quelling civil disturbances. The State Guard was headquartered in Camp Keyes, which was the headquarters of the Maine National Guard. At one point, three companies of the Maine State Guard used their own vehicles to assist in the search for six German prisoners of war who had escaped while working in the woods. Vietnam War The Maine State Guard was reorganized in the spring of 1969 at a cadre level, reaching a strength of 97 officers, 272 enlisted men, and a smaller number of inactive guardsmen designated as the Maine State Guard Reserve. The state appropriated $8,700 annually for the State Guard. Although the unit was never activated, they drilled regularly through the Vietnam War, but was reduced to a force existing only on paper following the end of the conflict. Legal status State defense forces are authorized by the federal government under Title 32, Section 109 of the United States Code. Twenty-three states and the territory of Puerto Rico currently maintain active state defense forces. Maine state law also authorizes the governor to organize a state defense force under Title 37 of the Maine Revised Statutes. Therefore, the Maine State Guard could be reactivated by the Governor of Maine through executive order using the existing legal framework for state defense forces, or by a legislative act. See also Maine Wing Civil Air Patrol References External links Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Maine for the Years Ending June 30, 1945 and June 30, 1946 & History of the State Guard From Its Inception to 30 June 1946 Military in Maine State defense forces of the United States