INDIANAPOLIS – Approximately 300 Indiana National Guard soldiers arrived in Washington on Saturday, December 6, to support the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission.
Hoosier Guardsmen will assist local and federal law enforcement partners, and they will conduct community safety patrols and manage traffic control posts to reduce crime, minimize property damage, and keep the peace.
Since mid-November, the Hoosier National Guard soldiers have been trained at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, preparing for their mission, which includes response, crowd management, and de-escalation techniques.
Indiana National Guard Lt. Col. Derek Sutton, commander of the D.C. contingent, reiterated that message in his departure ceremony speech on Friday.
“In Washington, D.C., our mission is simple. We will help create a safer environment for the people who live, work, and visit there. We will support civil authorities and stand as a visible reminder that the National Guard is the bridge between everyday Americans and their military,” said Sutton.
The ceremony on Friday at the Johnson County Armory included Indiana National Guard leadership, fellow soldiers, and hundreds of family members of the departing soldiers.
