They do? We have Airborne units in the Guard, but which one can replace the 82nd Airborne Division with a days, or a years notice?
Yes they do. That's a fact...not conjecture.
And yes...there are airborne units in the Guard...the 19th and 20th Special Forces Group. There are also SOWT airborne uints across various states. And YES...they do the same job for less cost.
And don't erect a straw man by saying they couldn't replace the 82nd within days or a years notice. That's a false premise. If the structure was set up so that the 82nd HAD NGB assets...they would do that job for less.
It's the same as saying "I'd like to the see the guard get a nuke submarine on patrol in a year" when they don't have them to begin with. IF you created that structure...it wouldn't be a problem. You can't compare a crate of apples to an empty crate.
Ask those on active duty. The guard isn't the guard you think of in 1975. It's different now....and suffice it to say...the active duty (especially the air force and army) would have been up the creek since the 90's if it wasn't for the guard...and quite simply...you get more bang for the buck. That's not opinion...that Pentagon admission.