Force of 6,000 National Guard troops begin arriving at DC Armory for Presidential Inauguration

WASHINGTON, DC (01/11/2013)(readMedia)-- A press conference will be held at the Armory located at 2001 East Capitol Street, Washington, DC, Friday, January 18 at 10 a.m. The media is invited to attend. Following the press conference, media will be provided a 'behind-the-scenes' video and photography opportunity at the mobilization and readiness processing of National Guard for the inauguration, including the swearing-in and designation as Special Police in support of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen will be available for interviews.

WHO:

More than 6,000 National Guard personnel will be deploying inside the District, while another 2,000 will be on alert in states just outside the District. The National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been called up in over 25 states and territories including Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kansas, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

National Guard Soldiers and Airman will provide a myriad of support to civil authorities during the inauguration to include traffic control, crowd management, communications, logistical, medical and public affairs support. Many of the National Guard members performed similar functions during the 2009 inauguration.
WHAT:

Mass in-processing of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from more than 25 states and territories will begin arriving January 18, 2012 at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory, Joint Base Andrews and Fort Belvoir as part of a force of 6,000 called-up in support of the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

A press conference intinerary:

9 am – 9:45 am: Check-in, media credentialing, satellite truck parking, cabling and press conference room set up. Media must arrive no later than 9:30 for credentialing, security sweeps and set-up.

10 am: Welcome and introductory briefing followed by the press conference: Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard and Brig. Gen. Arthur W. Hinaman, Commander, Joint Task Force-District of Columbia.

10:30 am: A ‘behind-the-scenes” video and photography opportunity at the massive mobilization and readiness of the National Guard for the inauguration.  Swearing-in and designation as Special Police in support of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. Interview opportunities with National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.

11:30am: Media depart DC Armory.
WHEN: Friday January 18, 2013 at 10:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: D.C. National Guard Armory
2001 East Capitol St SE
Washington, District of Columbia 20003
NOTES:

Media should RSVP no later than noon, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, to Capt. Michael Odle by email, michael.r.odle2.mil@mail.mil or call (202) 685-9862.