Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has officially approved a 90-day extension for the deployment of approximately 100 Arkansas Army National Guard Soldiers currently stationed in Washington, D.C. The Guardsmen, part of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, have been serving in the nation’s capital since shortly after Thanksgiving 2025 to support civil security operations under the direction of the D.C. National Guard.
Mission Focused on Public Safety Gains in the Nation’s Capital
The mission, which began under a broader Department of War operation in August 2025, has seen major strides in public safety outcomes. Since the operation’s launch, more than 6,000 arrests have been made, and over 600 illegal guns have been removed from the streets. Compared to the same period the year before, murders are down by 60%, robberies have decreased by 50%, and carjackings have dropped by 70%.
“Arkansas’ Guardsmen are the best in the country, and I saw firsthand their hard work and commitment to public safety when I had the chance to visit our men and women serving in D.C. last December,” said Governor Sanders. “This mission is delivering significant, real improvements to public safety in our nation’s capital, and I am honored that our Guard is playing a part in keeping D.C. safe.”
Leadership Praises Guard’s Ongoing Service and Professionalism
Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Adjutant General of Arkansas, praised the extended service of the soldiers, reinforcing the importance of their presence in the capital.
“Under the Governor’s strong leadership, the Arkansas National Guard is proud to continue its support to the District of Columbia. We are proud of our Soldiers as they help increase the security of Washington, D.C., while displaying the values of Arkansas through their professional and selfless service,” said Bridges.
The Governor personally addressed the troops at a send-off ceremony at Fort Chaffee in December and later joined U.S. Senator Tom Cotton in visiting with the soldiers during a trip to Washington, further demonstrating the state’s support for the mission.
Federal Support for Ongoing Operations
This operation is federally funded and involves routine rotational relief of National Guard units assigned to the area. Arkansas Guardsmen continue to carry out security presence patrols and provide law enforcement support in designated zones throughout the National Capital Region.
The Arkansas National Guard remains committed to serving both state and national needs, offering trained and ready forces to respond to federal missions abroad, while also standing ready to assist within Arkansas during emergencies or disasters when activated by the Governor.
With this extension, Arkansas’s Guardsmen will remain active participants in a mission that has already proven its value — helping secure the capital while representing the strength and service of their home state.
