7,000 Army National Guardsmen in D.C., 15,000 Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen authorized to support inauguration

National Guard troops from Wisconsin, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Maine are heading to the nation’s capital to support law enforcement through the presidential inauguration next week, joining fellow Guard members from more than a dozen other states. ALL info Photos National Guard

As of Jan. 14, there were about 7,000 National Guard members on the ground in the District of Columbia from D.C., Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Washington state.

Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, said the Secret Service, Capitol Police and U.S. Park Police requested the assistance. The Secret Service is the lead federal agency coordinating security for the inauguration next Wednesday.

Up to 15,000 Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen from 43 states and territories are authorized to provide security, communications, medical evacuation and other support to civilian authorities.

Delaware Army Guard on duty in DC to support inauguration

By Capt. Bernie Kale | Delaware National Guard 

DCNG plays historical role in presidential inaugurations

More than 200 Soldiers with the Delaware Army National Guard are on duty in Washington to support the 59th presidential inauguration.

“I’m very proud of the Soldiers that have come out here and taken on this mission,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Leighton of the Delaware Army Guard’s 721st Troop Command. “A few days ago they were at their jobs or attending classes, and they got the call that they were needed in D.C. and they stopped everything and left their families to support D.C. and their efforts.”

Soldiers were deployed on short notice to Washington but arrived as fast as they could. As of Jan. 13, they join about 7,000 members of the Guard who have come to the District of Columbia from six states for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20. That number is expected to increase.

“Even though we haven’t been as hands-on, our presence here means something.” said Army Pfc. Quentin Busch, with the Delaware Army Guard’s 160th Engineer Company. “We’re here to work together and to make sure there’s peace here.”

This is Busch’s first deployment since joining the Delaware Army Guard in 2019.

“It’s nice to be doing something and not be on standby,” said Busch. “We are here to make sure the month goes by smoothly so we can get home safely.”

These Soldiers have been providing security at sites throughout the District, including near the U.S. Capitol.

“As the Soldiers go through their days here at Washington, D.C., they are going to have pride in what the National Guard is all about and the ability to serve your state and go into Washington, D.C., and assist in their efforts,” said Leighton.

By 2nd Lt. Deborah Ou-Yang

The District of Columbia National Guard is preparing to provide logistical and ceremonial support to the 59th Presidential Inauguration. The National Guard has a proud history of supporting the event every four years while balancing safety and security.

When George Washington traveled from his home in Mount Vernon, Virginia, local militias – the modern-day National Guard – escorted him to the then-capital in New York City. President Abraham Lincoln received his first salute from a D.C. Guardsman during his inauguration in 1861.

The National Guard supported the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2008, which drew one of the largest audiences of any event ever held in Washington. President Donald J. Trump’s inauguration included the support of 7,800 National Guard personnel from the District of Columbia, 43 states and three territories.

The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on Jan. 20 is expected to be substantially different due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The D.C. National Guard’s support of the inauguration incorporates Army and Air National Guard units from U.S. states and territories, with the D.C. National Guard as the lead unit. The National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are sworn in as special police for the presidential inauguration, a protocol that allows troops to perform their duties in the D.C. area.

Guard members assist with crowd management, traffic control, emergency response services, communication, and ceremonial duties. The National Guard is also prepared and trained to assist civil authorities.