DES MOINES, Iowa – The National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. requested approximately 265 soldiers and airmen from the Iowa Army and Air National Guard to assist federal, state, and local agencies with supporting missions for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, to be held Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
The Iowa National Guard mobilized airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing based in Sioux City and the 132nd Wing in Des Moines, as well as soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division headquartered in Boone.
Their duties of the airmen mobilized to Washington will include logistical support of military personnel. Iowa Army National Guard soldiers will provide support to civil authorities. The Iowa National Guard anticipates these soldiers and airmen will serve in support of the inauguration for approximately eight days including time for personal readiness processing and travel.
In total, more than 21,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen from 44 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia will provide support during the inauguration. As a whole, National Guard soldiers and 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.
