Photo Of The Week: Florida Guard Provides Inauguration Security

FLORIDA — The Florida National Guard provided 600 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion 116th Field Artillery Regiment to secure and protect the 59th Presidential Inauguration.

After being deployed to Washington, D.C., to provide security following the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 in which five people were killed, the contingent from the Florida National Guard headed back to Florida Saturday.

With almost 26,000 troops providing support in Washington, D.C., from 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia, arrangements are being made to return close to 15,000 troops home as soon as possible.

Some agencies are requesting that a contingent of Guardsmen remains to keep peace in the nation's capital. Approximately 7,000 National Guard personnel are anticipated to provide that assistance through the end of the month, said Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard.

“Our ability to move 26,000 soldiers and airmen to D.C. from every state and territory in less than two weeks would not have been possible without the support of our governors and their adjutants general,” said Hokanson. “It speaks volumes about America’s investment in the National Guard and, most importantly, the support our service members get from their family and their employers. The outpouring of support to our National Guard across the entire country, and here in the District of Columbia, is a story in itself. I want to particularly thank the citizens of the District of Columbia,” said Hokanson.

Currently, there are more than 92,000 National Guard men and women engaged in homeland and overseas missions. Almost 23,000 National Guard professionals continue coronavirus response efforts at the direction of their governors in all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia.

In total, almost 76,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen are supporting homeland operations at the direction of their governors across the county.

There are more than 441,000 soldiers and airmen across 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. At the National Guard’s historic activation peak in June 2020, roughly 120,000 Guard members were engaged worldwide.

See related story: FL Governor Orders National Guard Home From D.C. Deployment