FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky National Guard will send approximately 150 Soldiers to the nation's capital next week to assist civilian law enforcement with security through March.
Volunteers from the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade based in Richmond, Kentucky, will join 5,000 to 7,000 National Guard members from around the country to help protect property and ensure people can peacefully assemble and protest.
Federal and District of Columbia authorities requested continued National Guard support following the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.
"Law enforcement in D.C. has requested additional Guard support into March, and we're willing to do our part," said Brig. Gen. Hal Lamberton, adjutant general of Kentucky. "The Soldiers from the 149th MEB will represent Kentucky and work alongside service members from many other states to help where most needed. We're incredibly proud of their continued efforts."
Almost 350 Kentucky National Guard members were in Washington to assist before and during the inauguration. They returned home Jan. 24.
The Kentucky Soldiers on this mission will have the same living conditions as those who provided support to the inauguration. They will stay in hotel rooms, have multiple hot meals a day and have standard work shifts with regular breaks.
Command Sgt. Maj. Benzie Timberlake, the senior enlisted Soldier for 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, helped to spearhead Kentucky's initial response for the presidential inauguration and said the experience was overwhelmingly positive.
"Our Soldiers really enjoyed themselves in Washington for the inauguration," said Timberlake. "Our fellow Kentuckians can rest easy knowing that all of our Soldiers were treated with the dignity and respect they deserved. We were not forced to sleep in parking garages, were fed way too much food and all lodged in five-star hotels.
"This trip turned from Kentucky service members being there to help ensure the peaceful transfer of power to a true retention event that they will tell their children and grandchildren about," he said. "The professionalism and commitment to serve from our Soldiers in this battalion remains unmatched."
The National Guard incorporates a variety of capabilities that can seamlessly integrate with interagency partners for national special security events. National Guard personnel in Washington will remain under their respective governors' control, under Title 32, 502 (f) orders.
"Our National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are set around the city to protect our nation's capital. At the same time we have thousands around the country supporting COVID operations, Operation Warp Speed, and a multitude of Soldiers and Airmen are deployed overseas supporting combat operations," said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau.
"I would especially like to thank the families who are maybe alone tonight and let you know our nation greatly appreciates all your sacrifices and those of your service member," Hokanson said. "I cannot be prouder to be part of this organization."
The Kentucky National Guard also has more than 180 Soldiers and Airmen continuing to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic across the commonwealth and service members deployed overseas in combat operations.