More than 4,000 Guard members on duty in DC
More than 4,000 Guard members on duty in DC
By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes | National Guard Bureau | June 6, 2020
Florida National Guard Soldiers from the 2-124 Infantry Regiment are performing missions in the nation’s capital to protect national monuments and ensure citizens’ right to peaceful assembly. The Florida National Guard members assigned to these missions are specially trained to assist law enforcement authorities in protecting life and preserving property, peace and public safety. (Photo by Sgt. Leia Tascarini)
WASHINGTON – The silver-haired woman clutched a protest sign as she methodically made her way down the line of Soldiers. She paused deliberately as she met the gaze of each set of eyes through their face shields, and offered a heartfelt, “thank you for your service.”
“It was very much motivational, and much appreciated,” said a military police officer with the District of Columbia Army National Guard’s 273rd Military Police Company whose name is withheld for security reasons.
The support hit home after days of tension supporting a difficult mission, he said.
Daurbigny was part of a National Guard task force supporting civil authorities in providing security throughout Washington as protesters gathered in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
The task force was activated May 30 to ensure the protection of life and property while balancing the right to protest peacefully, said Army Brig. Gen. Robert Ryan, the D.C. Guard’s Land Component commander and the task force commander.
About 1,200 D.C. National Guard members have been activated, said Ryan.
Before this mission, the D.C. Guard members were supporting COVID-19 response efforts, and many switched directly from that mission to the civil unrest task force.
“We were supporting COVID missions ever since the outbreak happened,” said Daurbigny. “When we were called upon to support the Park Police, the response was very swift. We were able to get all of our Soldiers in, in a matter of hours.”
Guard members have been providing security at national monuments and areas of critical infrastructure as well as ensuring the right to peaceful protest, said Army 1st Lt. Steven Meyer, with the D.C. Army Guard.
“We are here to prevent any danger, vandalism, and property damage to the structures in the area,” he said.
Their efforts did not go unnoticed by Ryan, the highest-ranking officer in the D.C. Army National Guard.
“We are known as the Capital Guardians,” said Ryan. “These Soldiers and Airman have been out here since Saturday [May 30] working 15-hour shifts assisting our law enforcement counterparts. … I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
About 3,000 Guard members from other states have joined the D.C. National Guard to continue to support law enforcement officials in responding to civil unrest in the capital region, said Guard officials.
Guard continues historic domestic support, global missions
By Tech. Sgt. Erich B. Smith
Currently, more than 118,300 National Guard members are engaged in homeland and overseas missions, according to Guard officials.
That number includes more than 43,000 Guard members activated in 34 states and the District of Columbia in response to nationwide civil unrest, bringing the total number of Guard members on duty in support of all domestic missions to more than 85,000.
Esper went on to praise the Guard and its continued efforts in supporting civil unrest response missions.
“I’ve always believed and continue to believe that the National Guard is best suited for performing domestic support to civil authorities in these situations, in support of local law enforcement,” said Esper. “I say this not only as secretary of defense, but also as a former soldier and a former member of the National Guard.”
More than 37,000 Guard members continue to support COVID-19 response efforts, as well as state-specific disasters such as wildfires, flooding and other natural disasters. Overseas, more than 29,000 Guard members continue to support combatant commands.
In the District of Columbia, nearly 4,000 Guard members from 11 states are supporting the District of Columbia National Guard as they work with local and federal authorities to protect life and property, while ensuring that what is expected to be more than 100,000 demonstrators could peacefully march in the district today.
“Our Guardsmen are coming in from all over – to secure the right of the people to peacefully protest,” said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Kepner, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of the National Guard Bureau. “Our Soldiers and Airmen are well trained and out there to keep the population safe.”
As part of that support, Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team provided security around several monuments at the National Mall.
“I am humbled to be here and support our citizens as well as to ensure the integrity of our monuments,” said Army Sgt. Zachary L. Leadingham, with the 53rd IBCT. “It’s important for [the citizens] to know that we are here to help and want to ensure their safety while getting their voices heard.”
On Thursday, Airmen from the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing performed life-saving measures on a civilian near the Lincoln Memorial.
“It was my first time doing CPR on a real person,” said Tech. Sgt. Emmanuel Morales, an avionics technician with the 113th Wing. “My training kicked in, so we were able to assist the civilian in doing CPR.”
The activation of Guard members in response to civil unrest has unfolded in multiple cities in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.