Delaware National Guard in DC for presidential inauguration
Soldiers with the Delaware Army National Guard's 262nd Component Repair Company appear outside of FedEx Field in Landover
More than 400 soldiers and airmen from the Delaware National Guard are in the nation’s capital to provide additional security during Friday’s presidential inauguration.
The team, or Task Force Delaware, arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday and will remain through Saturday.
The task force is made up of soldiers from the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 153rd Military Police Company, 262nd Component Repair Company, 1049th Transportation Company, 160th Engineer Company and airmen from the 166th Security Forces Squadron.
“We have a strong team of over 400 from Delaware, working together, regardless of what unit they are in,” said Maj. Jaime Wolhar, Task Force Delaware officer in charge.
Wolhar said Task Force Delaware’s mission leading up to and after the swearing in, is to secure the outside perimeter of the event; they will be responsible for manning traffic control, ensuring cars and people can move in and around the area of the inauguration safely and efficiently; on inauguration day, soldiers and airmen will assist local authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment for those attending the event.
“It is reassuring to see hundreds of soldiers and airmen unite, from across the United States, to work together in support of a national event,” Wolhar said.
In total, more than 7,500 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 44 states, three territories and D.C. will assist local and federal authorities.
The National Guard has supported presidential inaugurations dating back to April 30, 1789, when local militia members (today’s National Guard) joined the U.S. Army and Revolutionary War veterans to escort Gen. George Washington to his inauguration ceremony from Mount Vernon, Virginia to New York City.
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