Governor Pillen Announces Upcoming Deployment of 200 Nebraska National Guard Soldiers for Mission in Washington, D.C.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced today that he has authorized the Nebraska National Guard to deploy approximately 200 soldiers for duty in Washington, D.C. The deployment, which is scheduled to take place in late February, is expected to last approximately 90 to 120 days.  
 
The announcement was made during a morning news conference at the Nebraska National Guard’s Joint Force in Lincoln. Joining Governor Pillen were Lt. Governor Joe Kelly and Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska adjutant general.
 
“The highest calling of government is to keep people safe. There will be an extraordinary number of people visiting Washington, D.C. to take part in the 250th anniversary celebrations. We need to make sure that we continue the effort to keep our nation’s capital free of violence, free of crime and free of drugs. I’m incredibly proud that Nebraska is answering the call to assist troops from other states, as well as law enforcement in that city,” said Gov. Pillen.
 
Speaking about the historic establishment of Washington, D.C., Lt. Gov. Kelly noted that its protection and security is a collective responsibility.
 
“There was a great effort to make sure that this was everybody’s capital – not Virginia’s, not Maryland’s – but a federal capital; and now, Nebraska will do its part to keep that place safe and vibrant for the outstanding and exciting celebration that will be happening there this summer,” he added.  
 
The deployment, said General Strong, comes at the request of senior leaders at National Guard Bureau as Guard troops from several states are scheduled to rotate home after having served in Washington, D.C., for the past several months. He noted that ample personnel from Nebraska were available for the mission. 
While in Washington, D.C., the soldiers will be assigned to Joint Task Force D.C., which has been assisting local law enforcement officials since late summer. Strong said that the Nebraska Soldiers’ primary mission is expected to be in the areas of monument security, entry control management and roving presence patrols.
 
Over the next 30 days, soldiers will prepare for their deployment, which will include maintaining their physical and medical readiness. Additional training and information will be provided to support the areas they are stationed to in Washington, D.C. as well as to their specific duties. All soldiers will be armed and assigned personal protective equipment.
 
“This deployment continues an incredibly proud tradition of service by all the men and women in uniform from Nebraska who are deployed throughout our nation in times of disaster and in times of unrest, and around the world as well,” said Gov. Pillen.
 
“This mission would not be possible without the support of our Guard families and our Guard employers, so we want to thank them in advance for continuing to support their Guard Soldiers as they serve in this important mission,” said General Strong. “I would also like to thank all of Soldiers for the work they will be engaged in. I have complete confidence that they have the skills and the experience needed to do an exceptional job during this mission.”