RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — About 1,000 Virginia National Guard personnel will be staying in Washington, D.C. to provide continued support to local and federal law enforcement.
The airmen and soldiers are among more than 7,000 National Guard personnel from dozens of states that will stay, according to an announcement made Saturday by 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 on the ground helping civilian law enforcement with safety and protecting property during the inauguration.
Personnel who are not remaining on duty have begun the process to return home. There is no exact return date set as of yet.
Governor Ralph Northam authorized the initial VNG support after a request from Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser following the attack on the Capitol.
The majority of VNG personnel provided security assistance, but additional personnel provided communications, medical, chaplain, logistics, and public information support.
The VNG also had additional personnel from the Virginia Defense Force on duty providing support in Virginia.
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand guard at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide security at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide security at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide security at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr) 
Airmen assigned to the Virginia Air National Guard’s 192nd Security Force Squadron, 192nd Mission Support Group, 192nd Wing observe a military parade during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stand guard Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Loi) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stand guard Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Loi) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group stand guard at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group stand guard at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group stand guard at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group stand guard at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team oversee and track mission operations Jan. 20, 2021, near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Szoke) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team oversee and track mission operations Jan. 20, 2021, near the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Szoke) 
A Virginia National Guard Soldier assigned to 329th Regional Support Group stand guard Jan. 20, 2021, at the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Loi) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team pose for a photo Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Loi) 
210120-A-SD827-2017: Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, await President Joseph R. Biden’s motorcade after his inauguration ceremony Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Loi) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 429th Brigade Support Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team salute the American flag as it passes during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Marc Loi) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 276th Engineer Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group stand guard Jan 20, 2021, during the 59th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Military Police Company 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 329th Regional Support Group stand guard Jan 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand guard at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Lisa M. Sadler) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen provide security at the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers look toward the U.S. Capitol building as they secure the area around the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr) 
Virginia National Guard Soldiers and Airmen observe a military parade during the 59th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, D.C. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the 59th Presidential Inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bryan Myhr)
