Utah National Guard to send 350 troops to Washington, D.C.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Utah National Guard announced Friday it will send about 350 service members to Washington, D.C. to support law enforcement at President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony next week.
The guards will be there to "protect lives, preserve property, protect critical infrastructure, and the right to peacefully assemble," according to a statement from a Utah National Guard spokesman.
The troops will be flown from Salt Lake City to Washington, D.C. by a Utah Air National Guard military aircraft. All service members will be expected to follow protocols aimed at reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
"The Utah National Guard has responded to domestic emergencies on an unprecedented level this past year," Maj. Gen. Michael Turley said in a statement. "We are proud to support our partners and serve our fellow Americans once again."