National Guard troops head to DC from as far away as Guam
By National Guard Bureau
National Guard troops head to DC from as far away as Guam
By National Guard Bureau |By Staff Sgt. Anthony Small
Louisiana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from throughout the state board a plane to Washington, D.C., from Alexandria, La., on Jan. 16, 2021. They will support the District of Columbia National Guard and local and federal authorities through the presidential inauguration in the nation’s capital. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh)Photo Details | Download4
Members of the Guam National Guard’s Capitol Response Mission prepare to depart from the A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Tamuning, Guam, on Jan. 17, 2021. The platoon-sized unit will join up to 25,000 Guard troops from all 50 states, three territories and D.C. in safeguarding the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration. (Photo by Mark Scott)
Louisiana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from throughout the state prep their gear and board planes at Alexandria Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, en route to Washington, D.C., Jan. 16, 2021. They will assist the District of Columbia National Guard to ensure a safe presidential inauguration. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Josiah Pugh)
WASHINGTON – Thousands of National Guard troops are arriving in the nation’s capital from as far away as Guam to support authorities through the presidential inauguration Wednesday.
Volunteers from the Guam National Guard departed from the A.B. Won Pat International Airport in Tamuning on Jan. 17, en route to Washington – a journey of about 7,900 miles.
The platoon-sized element of approximately 30 Soldiers will join up to 25,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.
“Thank you, and thank you to your families, for supporting you in stepping up to the task,” Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said at the airport. “Please go forth to our nation’s capital and protect our democracy, our freedom, and our security.”
As of Monday, more than 21,500 members of the National Guard were on the ground in Washington to assist D.C. and federal authorities through the inauguration. In addition, 6,274 Guard members were providing security in state capitals.
Guam, South Carolina, Louisiana, West Virginia and Indiana were among the latest to deploy Guardsmen and women to Washington.
About 680 West Virginia National Guard members were dispatched, along with 650 South Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers, more than 620 members of the Indianapolis National Guard, and 174 Louisiana Guardsmen.
The National Guard support in D.C. includes manning traffic control and security checkpoints, ensuring that spectators are able to move around smoothly and safely before, during, and after inaugural events.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen have been actively supporting the COVID-19 response efforts in the state for more than 300 days, and now we will also be joining other states and territories in our nation’s capital in support of the presidential inauguration,” said Army Maj. Gen. R. Van McCarty, the adjutant general for South Carolina. “As a community-based organization, it is important to us to support our neighbors and help keep citizens safe.”
The contingent from the West Virginia National Guard includes a specialized team of Soldiers and Airmen from the 35th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Enhanced Response Force Package (CERFP). They will assist D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services and the 33rd Civil Support Team.
“Our One Guard Soldiers and Airmen are expertly trained and prepared for the missions that they will carry out while supporting the 59th presidential inauguration next week, and our primary objective is to provide support to local authorities,” said Brig. Gen. William “Bill” Crane, West Virginia adjutant general.
Indiana National Guard Lt. Col. Barry Johnson said his troops were trained and ready.
“In just 24 hours, these Soldiers have demonstrated incredible flexibility, eagerness and devotion to our mission,” Johnson said.
“We are honored to receive this mission during a time that our country needs us,” said Johnson. “It is a privilege to watch these Indiana Guardsmen stand up and volunteer to leave their families and homes to serve their country.”
Contributing to this story: Capt. Jessica Donnelly, South Carolina National Guard; Maj. Holli Nelson, West Virginia National Guard; Mark Scott, Guam National Guard; Jeff Lowry, Indiana National Guard; Sgt. 1st Class Denis B. Ricou, Louisiana National Guard.
Several District of Columbia National Guard (DCNG) judge advocates are providing guidance to Soldiers and Airmen during Operation Capitol Response in the nation’s capital.
Thousands of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from many states have traveled to the National Capital Region to support federal and D.C. authorities leading up to the 59th presidential inauguration.
Maj. Don Cravins Jr., a command judge advocate with the DCNG Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, is one of several judge advocates and paralegals charged with ensuring Soldiers and Airmen are briefed on mission rules and guidelines while they are in D.C.
“The safety and protection of the public is our top priority at the District of Columbia National Guard,” said Cravins. “One of the most important jobs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate is to ensure Soldiers and Airmen are briefed and trained on the laws and rules that form the mission.”
Cravins has served nearly 10 years in the National Guard and has been a licensed attorney since 1998.
“As an Army lawyer, my job is to ensure Soldiers and Airmen clearly understand the do’s and don’ts of the mission,” said Cravins. “My teammates and I brief them on the rules of conduct, the use of force and de-escalation techniques, the laws of the District of Columbia and on Department of Defense regulations. We also go through real-life training scenarios and explain the rights and protections allotted to them as Soldiers and Airmen under Title 32 of the United States Code.”
Some Guardsmen who are supporting Operation Capitol Response will be sworn in as special police by civilian law enforcement agencies such as the U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Their duties will include protecting members of Congress and other congressional personnel and securing the grounds and property of the U.S. Capitol.
“Knowing and understanding the rules related to the use of force, self-defense and defense of others and rules of conduct are vital keys to ensuring a successful mission,” said Cravins.
Cravins is a former state legislator and served as chief of staff to a U.S. senator. Having worked in government and at the U.S. Capitol, Cravins feels a special relationship with this mission.
“I am proud to be an American Soldier and to serve with the men and women of the National Guard,” he said. “I, along with many other men and women, are working behind the scenes to ensure our Soldiers and Airmen have the tools and resources necessary to successfully perform the mission. We have a long and proud history of supporting our nation, its Capitol and the District of Columbia, and we are working hard to continue that tradition.”