Gov. Pillen announces deployment of 200 Nebraska National Guard troops to D.C.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday announced the deployment of 200 Nebraska National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

The deployment — scheduled for late February — is expected to last 90 to 120 days.

“The highest calling of government is to keep people safe,” Pillen said at a press conference on Thursday. “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.”

Speaking about the historic establishment of Washington, D.C., Lt. Gov. Kelly said that its protection and security are 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,” Pillen added.

The deployment comes at the request of senior leaders at the National Guard Bureau, as Guard troops from several states are scheduled to rotate home after serving in Washington, D.C., for the past several months.

The soldiers will be assigned to Joint Task Force D.C., which has been assisting local law enforcement officials since late summer.

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, including maintaining their physical and medical readiness.

Additional training and information will be provided to support their work in Washington, D.C., and 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.