Topeka ? States are likely to be engaged in more battles with the Department of Defense over the future of National Guard units and their role in the nation’s defense, Kansas officials said Tuesday.

Several states have filed lawsuits to stop the Department of Defense from removing units from the Air National Guard, arguing that the airmen have a dual federal-state mission and governors must be consulted on any substantive changes.

Last week, a federal judge sided with Pennsylvania, declaring the elimination of a wing of A-10 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers “null and void.” On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily halted a recommendation to remove A-10s from a Connecticut Air National Guard base.

Kansas officials, celebrating the National Guard’s 150th birthday Tuesday, said the state hasn’t been immune to such battles with active duty military officials.

In 2001, the Air Force announced it was moving B-1 bombers from the 184th Bomb Wing based at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, eliminating the unit and hundreds of personnel. The state fought the decision, ultimately saving the unit and landing new refueling and information missions.

“I do see more fights like this coming. A line has to be drawn,” said Brig. Gen. Ed McIlhenny, commander of the Kansas Air National Guard and former vice commander of the 184th.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, of the Kansas National Guard, cut a cake at the 150th birthday celebration for the Guard on Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka.

Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, state adjutant general, said disputes over National Guard units reflect that the Guard is a collaboration of 50 states and four territories.

“You really need to have the governors’ involvement in these decisions,” Bunting said.

The 184th Refueling Wing is slated for another change. The Base Closure and Realignment Commission signed off on a Pentagon proposal to move the unit’s aircraft to the 190th Air Refueling Wing at Topeka’s Forbes Field. The Wichita unit likely will see expanded missions in the future but no aircraft.

In addition, two Kansas Army National Guard battalions currently in Iraq will be combined in the coming year to form one integrated infantry and armor unit, with a company of engineers.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said the future of National Guard units was a frequent topic of National Governors Assn. meetings. States want to know what forces they can rely upon for duty at home and how extensive overseas deployments will be.

“We really can’t get clear answers,” Sebelius said. “If we have a natural disaster, we have far less people available than we had a year ago.”

About 2,200 soldiers and airmen are deployed to Iraq and other nations on active duty, including nearly 40 percent of the Kansas Army National Guard.

While the Pentagon may have a say over the types of units assigned to a state, Bunting said governors have the authority to decide where to place those units to best serve residents after disasters. Unlike active-duty soldiers, who can pick up and move to another base if an air wing is reassigned, traditional Guard members live and work in their communities.

For example, infantry units typically are in urban areas such as Wichita and Kansas City, where they can provide equipment or security.

“No one disputes the A-10 decision, but to stand-down the unit is the governor’s decision,” Bunting said.

In Connecticut, a federal judge plans to have a hearing on removing A-10s on Sept. 7, a day before the BRAC recommendations are to be forwarded to President Bush.

“This nation was founded on the militia heritage,” Bunting said. “We’ll get through this.”