Features

Telling the Truth in Plain Sight
February 22, 2026 — WASHINGTON —The first time I heard gunfire in Washington, I was standing in a hotel lobby adjusting to the colder air of my first week in the District... MORE

U.S. Air National Guard Master Sgt. William Blankenship records video alongside Joint Task Force–District of Columbia leadership during a circulation in Washington, Oct. 30, 2025. The Joint Task Force supports civil authorities in the nation’s capital through coordinated security operations, interagency collaboration and disciplined presence. Clear, accurate communication remains central to the mission, reinforcing transparency and public confidence while safeguarding lawful governance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Angelina Tran)

Presence with Purpose: Guard Leaders Stand with Soldiers to Strengthen the Homeland
February 17, 2026 — WASHINGTON —On Feb. 13, 2026, as cold air moved through the District and commuters filled Metro platforms at the height of the evening rush, two Army National Guard leaders climbed into their SUV for another rotation through Washington’s transit corridors — part of a coordinated effort supporting civil authorities and reinforcing public confidence across the nation’s capital... MORE

National Guard Presence Patrols Support Public Safety in Washington
February 16, 2026 — WASHINGTON— Following a presidential directive issued in March 2025 to help make the District of Columbia safe, orderly and beautiful, Joint Task Force–District of Columbia is translating national policy into sustained, coordinated action across the Nation’s Capital... MORE

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Mississippi National Guard conduct a presence patrol near the Thomas Jefferson statue inside the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, Feb. 10, 2026. Operating as part of Joint Task Force–District of Columbia, the Soldiers provide a visible and steady presence at historic landmarks in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship)

Quiet Presence, Measured Impact
February 9, 2026 — WASHINGTON - By late summer 2025, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen moved side by side through the nation’s capital in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. Along transit corridors, major avenues, and public gathering spaces, joint teams conducted sustained operations to support civil authorities while maintaining the discipline, readiness, and professionalism expected of the Joint Force... MORE

Decisions in Motion: Leadership at Street Level in Washington
February 3, 2026 — WASHINGTON — What fell softly days ago in the morning now resists every step. Snow pressed into sidewalks and medians has hardened into uneven barriers, narrowing walkways and subtly reshaping how the city moves. In Washington, winter rarely stops activity—it refines it... MORE

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, interim commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, visits with Soldiers and Airmen supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission in Washington, D.C., Jan. 31, 2026. As the senior leader of the D.C. National Guard, Blanchard provides command oversight and guidance to National Guard forces supporting public safety and interagency coordination across the capital. His visit reinforced the importance of disciplined presence, partnership with local and federal agencies, and sustained readiness in support of the mission. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship)

Finding Common Ground in the Nation’s Capital
February 3, 2026 — WASHINGTON — As evening settles over the city, Ohio National Guard Soldiers fan out across Metro platforms, sidewalks and public spaces where thousands of people pass through every night. Some commuters hurry past, others pause to ask a question or offer a quiet thank you. For the Soldiers supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, those everyday interactions reflect a steady, visible presence focused on safety, reassurance and public trust across the nation’s capital... MORE

Ohio National Guard Soldiers supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission stand watch in their assigned patrol area in Washington, D.C., January 2026. Through presence patrols across key transit hubs and surrounding neighborhoods, the Soldiers work alongside local and federal law enforcement partners to help deter crime and enhance public safety. Their visible presence reinforces community confidence and supports a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to keeping the nation’s capital safe and accessible. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship)

Mic’d Up: Walking the Mission with Task Force Ironman
February 3, 2026 — WASHINGTON — The radio crackles softly as footsteps echo through the Metro corridor at Farragut North. It’s early evening, and commuters stream past turnstiles while trains arrive in steady intervals. At the top of the stairs, National Guard Soldiers stand watch—alert, approachable and already familiar with the rhythm of the station... MORE

Built for the Moment: Task Force Thunder on Patrol in the Nation’s Capital
February 3, 2026 — WASHINGTON — The radio crackles to life as the vehicle eases into traffic, weaving through familiar streets under the glow of streetlights and Metro station entrances. From the passenger seat, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Riddle scans sidewalks, stairwells and faces moving past the windshield, narrating his thoughts almost as quickly as the city unfolds around him... MORE

DC Safe and Beautiful builds leaders, strengthens readiness and shapes the force
February 3, 2026 — WASHINGTON —For the District of Columbia National Guard, the DC Safe and Beautiful mission has become more than a community support operation. It provides a practical means to strengthen the force while supporting the Nation’s Capital—advancing leader development, reinforcing readiness and helping prepare the organization to address evolving operational demands under priorities emphasized by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, commanding general (interim) of the District of Columbia National Guard... MORE

Interagency by Design: Unity of Effort Powers the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission
February 3, 2026 — WASHINGTON — As the evening rush hour began and the glow of sunset filtered into the echoing corridor of a Metro station, Spc. Lily Castro paused near a column, watching commuters stream toward the platforms. The rumble of arriving trains and the rhythm of footsteps filled the station. Down the corridor, a small group of Metropolitan Police officers adjusted their positions, preparing to move into another section of the station as daylight faded... MORE

Spc. Lily Castro, an Alabama National Guard Soldier assigned to Joint Task Force–District of Columbia, pauses in a Metro station in Washington, Jan. 9, 2026. Castro supports the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, operating alongside local and federal law enforcement partners to promote coordination, public safety and confidence across the National Capital Region.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship)