RICHMOND, Va.— About 1,000 Virginia National Guard personnel will remain in Washington D.C. following the presidential inauguration.
Virginia National Guard personnel will be among more than 7,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from dozens of states to help provide enduring support to local and federal authorities, according to Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia.
“Virginia National Guard personnel are remaining on duty following the presidential inauguration at the request of local and federal authorities, and they will remain on duty until those agencies no longer require our direct support,” Williams said. “We expect our troops to conduct security-related missions to include crowd control, traffic control and assisting with entry and exit points. We are incredibly proud of the professionalism and dedicated service they have demonstrated throughout this mission, and they will continue to play an important role in helping keep their fellow citizens safe.”
The VNG had about 2,400 personnel at the inauguration. The personnel not remaining on duty have begun the process to end their duty orders and return home over the coming days.
Officials do not have an exact schedule for their return home.
Governor Northam authorized VNG's support after the Capitol attack on January 6.
According to officials, the majority of VNG personnel provided security assistance, but additional personnel are providing communications, medical, chaplain, logistics and public information support to their fellow troops and to district and federal agencies.
