Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday that approximately 1,000 Pennsylvania National Guard members have been activated to support the District of Columbia National Guard and local authorities through the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration in Washington D.C.
Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Christopher Miller signed orders Thursday activating the National Guard from Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland for up to 30 days. A defense official reported the goal is to have Guard members help secure the U.S. Capitol and the surrounding area through the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
“The unprecedented and disturbing events yesterday in our nation’s capital are cause for ongoing concern and Pennsylvania is prepared to assist as needed in securing peace and an orderly transfer of power on January 20,” Wolf said. “Our National Guard members will assist the D.C. National Guard and local civilian authorities as they work to keep the area surrounding the Capitol and other locations secure in the coming days leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.”
Wolf’s office did not disclose specific armories that would be sending support.
Impacted guard members activated will report to their local armories over the next few days, receive their assignments and then travel to the D.C. area to support as required, the governor’s office said.
A guardsman who answered the phone at the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Armory in Mt. Pleasant Township said they had no information on the activation and referred inquiries to the state officials.
“Pennsylvania Guard members are well-trained and well-prepared to assist our communities, commonwealth and country in any way they can,” Acting Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler said. “We are also very fortunate that our Guard members have extensive experience working alongside the D.C. National Guard as part of past training events and presidential inaugurations.”
Pennsylvania has the second-largest National Guard in the country with approximately 19,000 members located in more than 80 armories and readiness centers statewide.
