INDIANAPOLIS -- Nearly 300 Indiana National Guard soldiers are now in Washington, D.C., supporting the city's "Safe and Beautiful" mission.
The Hoosier troops will assist local and federal law enforcement with safety patrols, traffic control, and efforts to reduce crime and protect property. Lt. Col. Derek Sutton, who leads the deployment, told soldiers during their send-off in Franklin that the mission is clear: help create a safer environment for everyone who lives in and visits the nation's capital.
The Guard members have spent weeks training at Camp Atterbury, focusing on crowd management, de-escalation, and rapid-response tactics. They'll continue mission-specific training with Joint Task Force-District of Columbia.
Sutton says their presence serves as a reminder that disciplined, professional soldiers are on watch and ready to support civil authorities.
Hundreds of family members gathered at the Johnson County Armory on Friday to see the soldiers off.