Colorado National Guard assisting with security for 58th Presidential Inauguration

  • Published
  • By Air National Guard Maj. Darin Overstreet
  • Joint Forces Headquarters Colorado
CENTENNIAL, Colo. --  Citizen-Airmen from the 140th Security Forces Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard, based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora, Colo., will support the 58th Presidential Inauguration Jan. 19-20 in Washington.

The 20 Citizen-Airmen will provide security for the peaceful transition of political power, which our nation has enjoyed since President George Washington handed the office over to the leadership of President John Adams March 4, 1797.

"This is a great opportunity to be a part of history in the making and put our training to work in support of several government agencies at this National Special Security Event," 2nd Lt. Kathryn Nay, officer in charge of the Colorado Air National Guard security detail, said.

"Seamless partnerships between the National Guard and interagency partners in the air and on the ground help feed this large-scale cooperative effort," Air Force Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, the adjutant general of Colorado, said."

In total, more than 7,500 National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen, from 44 states, three territories and the District of Columbia, will serve with the specially created Joint Task Force - District of Columbia. The District of Columbia National Guard created JTF - DC in response to requests for assistance from local and federal agencies in the National Capital Region. As a whole, National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Citizen-Airmen will augment the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Capitol Police, and D.C. Metropolitan Police forces on a range of support, including traffic control, crowd management, logistics, and communication.

National Guard support to presidential inaugurations dates to April 30, 1789, when local militia members (today's National Guard) joined the U.S. Army and revolutionary war veterans to form an honor detail and escort Gen. George Washington to his inauguration ceremony in New York City from Mount Vernon, Va. Over the years, National Guard involvement has grown and is designated to honor the commander-in-chief, recognize civilian control of the military, and celebrate democracy.