The D.C. National Guard consists of both Army and Air Force reserve components of the United States armed forces, assigned to the United States National Guard to execute under the dual control of the Commanding General and federal government.  It is one of 54 National Guard organizations that represent the 50 states and 4 territories of the United States.

Unlike the 54 state/territorial National Guards that are subordinated to their respective state governments, until called to service by the President of the United States, the D.C. National Guard is subordinate solely to the President of the United States.  This authority to activate the D.C. National Guard has been delegated, by the President, to the Secretary of Defense and further delegated to the Secretary of the Army.

The general overall mission of the D.C. National Guard is to provide mission-ready personnel and units for active duty in the armed services in the time of war or national emergency.

Land Component Command, D.C. Army National Guard is made up of approximately 1,350 Soldiers including a headquarters staff and four major commands located in Washington and Virginia: the 74th Troop Command, Washington; 260th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Ft. Belvoir, Va.; and the 1-224th Aviation Security and Support Battalion and the 1-226th General Support Aviation Battalion, Davidson Air Field, Va.  

Programs and operations for the D.C. Army National Guard are overseen by the Commanding General, Land Component, based out of the D.C. National Guard Armory in southeast, Washington.

The Land Component Command is responsible for the training, operational readiness, administration, logistical, and strategic planning of the D.C. Army National Guard. Ensuring the D.C. Army National Guard is capable of responding to all missions relating to homeland defense, security, and natural disasters.

The headquarters element of the D.C. Air National Guard (DCANG) is located at the D.C. National Guard Armory in southeast, Washington. The staff includes both full-time employees and traditional Guard members and is led by the Deputy Commanding General-Air.

HQ-AIR is responsible for establishing policy and monitoring operations of the 113th Wing.  The DCANG is a diverse organization with a total strength of more than 1,100 Airmen. The DCANG’s 113th Wing is located at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, Md.  The 113th Wing flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon which keeps watch over the skies above the Nation’s Capital and the C-40 Clipper, transporting the First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), members of Congress and senior-level Department of Defense officials.

DCANG members are continually deploying to combat zones around the world. The D.C. Air National Guard is ready to deploy at the direction of the Commanding General, D.C. National Guard, to protect life and property, and preserve peace, order and public safety. Missions within the District of Columbia include disaster relief in times of floods, earthquakes and storms, National Special Security Events, including Presidential inaugurations and senior-level government summits; protection of vital public services; and general support to civil authorities during special events, parades and demonstrations.