A member of the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flight crew makes his way to his helicopter as members of the Connecticut National Guard’s Bravo Company, 2-104th Aviation, 1-169th Aviation Regiment prepare to depart from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks for a one week deployment to Salisbury, North Carolina on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)
(Tribune News Service) — Members of the Connecticut National Guard and the Connecticut State Police will join security efforts for the U.S. Presidential Inauguration in Washington Monday.
Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday announced the deployments, which come in response to mutual aid requests from the U.S. Department of Defense and from the Metropolitan Police Department, according to a release from Lamont’s office.
“The presidential inauguration ceremony is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the peaceful transfer of power in the United States, and the State of Connecticut stands ready to help ensure these activities move forward safely and securely,” Lamont said.
More than 200 soldiers and airmen from the Connecticut National Guard were deployed Wednesday and are expected to remain on active duty until Jan. 23.
The Connecticut soldiers and airmen are tasked with aiding security and providing medical support.
“In conjunction with National Guard personnel from several other states, their role is to assist with public safety, provide security support to federal government assets, personnel, and critical infrastructure, and deter, prevent, and if necessary, respond to incidents in support of the overall security plan to assist with the transition of power or continuity of government,” the release said.
Deployed units include members from the 143rd Regional Support Group, 142nd Medical Company (Area Support), 85th Troop Command (85th TC), 143rd Military Police Company of the Connecticut Army National Guard, and the 103rd Air Wing of the Connecticut Air National Guard.
“Throughout our 388-year history, our Connecticut National Guardsmen remain well-trained and ready to answer the state and nation’s call to duty,” Major General Fran Evon, adjutant general and commander of the Connecticut National Guard, said. “Serving the people of Connecticut and this great nation will always be our top priority. Connecticut’s Home Team is proud to do our part to help ensure a peaceful transition of presidential power from one administration to the next in concert with our sister state National Guards, state, and federal agencies.”
An additional 35 Connecticut State Police officers are expected to deploy to Washington, D.C. on Sunday in advance of the Monday inauguration ceremony. Upon arriving, they will be deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service, Lamont’s office said.
“These Connecticut State Troopers are experienced with all aspects of controlling large crowds at public events,” Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins said. “On Inauguration Day, they will join thousands of officers from across the country and assist in keeping everyone safe and secure at this historic event.”
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