Arkansas National Guard Deploys 100 Troops to Washington D.C. for Security Support

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has authorized the deployment of approximately 100 soldiers from the Arkansas Army National Guard's 142nd Field Artillery Brigade to Washington, D.C., to assist with ongoing civil security operations. The troops will undergo readiness checks, training, and mission preparation at Fort Chaffee before deploying after Thanksgiving for a mission expected to last several months. This federally funded deployment aims to provide security patrols and law enforcement support as part of a routine rotational relief of National Guard units already stationed in the capital. The presence of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., has been extended through February 2026 under President Donald Trump's directive to support local and federal law enforcement in reducing crime. Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges praised the Arkansas soldiers' training and professionalism, emphasizing their readiness to integrate with the D.C. National Guard to accomplish the mission. Governor Sanders highlighted the Guardsmen's dedication to both state and national service, expressing confidence in their ability to help restore law and order in the nation's capital.