Hundreds Of Oklahoma National Guardsmen Heading To Nation’s Capital

The Oklahoma National Guard is sending 400 guardsmen to Washington D.C. this week ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day ceremony.

They’re expected to assist local law enforcement for seven to 10 days.

Guard members will help with crowd management and traffic control in and around the U.S. Capitol, national mall, and White House. They will also aid authorities with communication, logistical and medical support.

The Oklahoma National Guard said it will be joining members from 43 other states while in Washington D.C.

About 20,000 guardsmen could be deployed to help with the inauguration, according to CBS News. That would be quadruple the number of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan right now.

The National Guard said it has a long and proud history of helping with presidential inaugurations since 1789.

"The forefathers of today’s National Guard were present for the inauguration of George Washington, and we have been part of every inauguration since,” said Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau. “We stand ready to support this national event with our interagency partners.”