Photo By Staff Sgt. Leia Tascarini | Florida National Guard Soldiers from the 2-124 Infantry Regiment are performing...... read more read more
Subscribe
WASHINGTON D.C. - Florida National Guard (FLNG) Soldiers are working closely with our civilian partner agencies and other National Guard states to support peace and security in our nation’s capital.
“As Americans and Citizen Soldiers these monuments mean so much to us,” said Cpt. Curtis Burnside, Bravo Company 1st Battalion, 124th Regiment commander. “They need to be preserved and available for our children to learn about. Our mission is to ensure safety and peace within the capital by protecting the rights of our citizens and future generations to come during this difficult time. Our Guardsmen are professional and ready to serve in any capacity if called upon to do so at anytime regardless of mission requirements.”
Guardsmen from the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) will be providing presence patrols at several monuments including the Washington Monument and World War II Monument. They are staging day and night quick reaction force jump teams (QRF) as well as assisting with entry control points (ECP’s) on a 24-hour rotation.
Local law enforcement agencies remain responsible for security, and our Guardsmen will work in support of them and at their direction. Guardsmen will continually communicate and work closely with state and federal counterparts to ensure a unified and rapid response as needed.
“I am humbled to be here and support our citizens as well as to ensure the integrity of our monuments,” said Sgt. Zachary L. Leadingham. “It’s important for them to know that we are here to help and want to ensure their safety while getting their voices heard.”
The Guards first priority is to protect citizens and and their rights; including the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. Guardsmen are also present to ensure safety as well as protect property.
These are the same Guardsmen who served on the front lines in the COVID-19 pandemic – working at food banks, delivering supplies, and assisting with testing. The FLNG will support this mission for as long as needed.
| Date Taken: | 06.05.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2020 14:50 |
| Story ID: | 371544 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 274 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Florida Guardsmen support partner agencies in the Nation's Capital, by SSG Leia Tascarini, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT