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The District of Columbia National Guard Public Affairs Office
The Soldiers and Airmen of the District of Columbia National Guard proudly count themselves as part of the vibrant and diverse city that serves as the Nation’s Capital. Known as the Capital Guardians, DCNG supports our community and our nation with forces ready to respond to the needs of our fellow Washingtonians and the needs of the nation in times of national emergency.
Working with D.C. and federal government offices, Congress, community organizations, the news media and the public, the Public Affairs Office works hard to keep our community up to date on DCNG’s critical missions and how its people accomplish them. Our team coordinates requests for DCNG involvement in community events and handles tours, orientation flights, invitations to speak and many other engagements with the people of the District and its surrounding communities.
WANT THE D.C. NATIONAL GUARD AT YOUR EVENT?
As a proud part of the District of Columbia community for more than two centuries, District of Columbia National Guard Capital Guardians welcome the opportunity to connect everyone who lives, works in or visits the Nation’s Capital with the mission, capabilities and people of our Army and Air National Guard. We welcome public requests for flyovers, military bands, color and honor guards, equipment displays and speakers. Note that while we would like to support all qualifying requests for support, there is no way we could do so. If we are able, we will make every effort to take part.
FOR AERIAL SUPPORT REQUESTS
To request an aircraft flyover or the static display of an aircraft, the Department of Defense requires some paperwork. First, you must complete a DD Form 2535, a “Request for Military Aerial Support.” (If the link supplied here does not work, please copy and paste the following address into your web browser: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2535.pdf.)
Deadline: This form must be completed and submitted at least 90 days, but no later than 30 days, in advance of your event.
If you are requesting aviation support from the D.C. Air National Guard: You will complete the DD 2535 electronically and submit the form using the U.S. Air Force Aerial Events website (https://www.airshows.pa.hq.af.mil/PublicSite/Index.cfm?fwa=home).
If you are requesting aviation support from the D.C. Army National Guard: Complete the DD 2535 on your computer or by hand, and email it to the D.C. National Guard Public Affairs Office at ng.dc.dcarng.mesg.pao1@army.mil by the required 90-day deadline.
Before you submit the form, make sure it is:
NOTE: You must have FAA approval for ALL aerial events EXCEPT aircraft static displays BEFORE submitting your request.
Securing aviation assets after receiving approval: It is the requestor's responsibility to coordinate actual participation of D.C. National Guard flying units once your event has been determined eligible for support. Please contact the D.C. National Guard Public Affairs Office to determine whether units are available to support your event after your event has been approved. We realize that conversations often take place with units prior to any request submission, and we do not want to discourage dialogue, but please recognize that we cannot promise unit participation until it is determined that an event is supportable under policy and regulation and that the unit can support the request without interfering with its mission and at no additional cost to the government.
Pro Tip: Once you have submitted your request, if you have a unit in mind to support your event, it is suggested that you let them know that your request is in so that they can volunteer to support it if it is ultimately approved.
Some things to keep in mind: Aircraft participation is at no additional cost to the U.S. Government and on a non-interference basis with Department of Defense missions. Therefore, military contingencies and training requirements may preclude event participation at the last minute. Additionally, patriotic events that are free and open to the public and those events designed to enhance Armed Forces recruiting and retention efforts must be stated as such on your DD Form 2535 with a detailed explanation.
NOTE: We are not able to support all events though we will make every effort to do so as long as that support does not interfere with our District or federal missions and does not violate applicable policy or law. Aviation support or participation may be cancelled by the D.C. National Guard, the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Army without notice.
FOR NON-AVIATION SUPPORT REQUESTS
To request D.C. National Guard support that does not involve aviation assets – requests for things like military bands, color and honor guards, equipment displays, exhibits and speakers – you must complete and submit a DD Form 2536, “Request for Armed Forces Participation in Public Events (Non-Aviation)” https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2536.pdf.
Deadline: This form must be completed and submitted no later than 30 days in advance of your event.
Email the completed form to the D.C. National Guard Public Affairs Office at ng.dc.dcarng.mesg.pao1@army.mil by the required deadline of 30 days in advance of your event date.
NOTE: We are not able to support all events though we will make every effort to do so as long as that support does not interfere with our District or federal missions and does not violate applicable policy or law. D.C. National Guard support or participation in an event may be cancelled by the D.C. National Guard, the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Army without notice.
Office Location
The DCNG Public Affairs Office is located at the D.C. Armory, 2001 E. Capitol Street SE, in Washington, D.C. 20003.
To contact the DCNG Public Affairs Office
The DCNG Environmental Policy Statement can be found here.