OCTOBER 28, 2025 – Seventy-five days into the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission, Soldiers and Airmen from across the country continue to serve alongside local law enforcement and community partners to enhance safety, resilience and quality of life throughout the nation’s capital.
Since late August, the Joint Task Force–District of Columbia — composed of National Guard units from more than a dozen states — has maintained a visible, professional presence across Washington’s neighborhoods, parks and transit hubs. Their support to the Metropolitan Police Department and District agencies has become a cornerstone of interagency cooperation, demonstrating the Guard’s enduring commitment to the defense and well-being of the American people at home.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen have performed with exceptional professionalism and dedication,” said U.S. Army Col. Larry Doane, commander of Joint Task Force–D.C. “They’ve shown what can be achieved when National Guard members from across the country come together with one purpose — to serve the people of this city with integrity and pride.”
Doane noted that since the mission began, measurable improvements have been observed in community safety and engagement. Crime reports from the Metropolitan Police Department indicate downward trends in property-related offenses and increased cooperation between residents and patrol elements. These successes, he said, reflect disciplined teamwork and unity of effort among Guardsmen from every region of the nation.
“We have Guardsmen from different states, backgrounds and specialties working side by side,” Doane said. “That unity not only strengthens our mission, it reflects the spirit of America itself — people coming together to protect and improve their communities.”
Across the city, that teamwork has produced visible change. Soldiers and Airmen have helped revitalize public areas, conducted joint patrols with D.C. police officers and supported beautification efforts in coordination with city services. The result has been a cleaner, safer and more welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II, commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, said the impact is clear after two and a half months of continuous operations.
“You can see the difference — more importantly, you can feel it,” Blanchard said. “The city feels different, safer, and it reflects the hard work of our Soldiers and Airmen. I’m incredibly proud of the effort they have put into this mission. We’re fulfilling the task we were charged with, and every day I see progress taking shape in our nation’s capital.”
That progress, Blanchard added, is visible not only in the city’s improved appearance but also in the strengthened partnerships that make the mission possible. From early-morning patrols at the National Mall to night shifts in transit stations, National Guard members are helping ensure that D.C. remains a place of security, dignity and civic pride.
For U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald Smith, senior enlisted leader to the commanding general of the D.C. National Guard, the success of the mission rests squarely on the shoulders of those in the field.
“The great work our Soldiers and Airmen have displayed while serving in the community is something I’m extremely proud of,” Smith said. “Their professionalism, visibility and willingness to serve continue to set the standard for our organization.”
Smith said enlisted leaders across the task force have worked tirelessly to maintain morale, discipline and focus among their troops. “When you walk the streets with them,” he said, “you see firsthand the pride they take in representing both their states and this city.”
The mission’s scope extends beyond law enforcement support. Teams are also conducting area beautification and community-assistance projects, reflecting the Guard’s dual role in security and service.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Natasha S. Taylor, director of the Joint Staff for the D.C. National Guard, said the operation highlights the value of coordination among agencies and communities during a pivotal time in the nation’s history.
“This mission underscores the importance of partnership between our military and civilian law enforcement agencies,” Taylor said. “Our Soldiers and Airmen are providing critical support during a time of heightened need, helping ensure safety and stability for the people who live and work here.”
Taylor emphasized that such collaboration not only enhances safety but also builds lasting relationships that strengthen readiness across the total force. “Every patrol, every interaction matters,” she said. “We’re showing the public that the National Guard is here — not just in emergencies, but every day — working to make their community stronger.”
Recent reporting echoes that sentiment. In late October, Airmen from the West Virginia National Guard rendered aid to an injured cyclist while on patrol near Logan Circle — a moment captured and widely shared across local news outlets as an example of readiness and compassion in action. Earlier in the month, the Task Force Beautification initiative celebrated its 100th completed project, transforming public spaces, playgrounds and parkways into cleaner and safer environments that symbolize the heart of the mission: presence and partnership.
As the 75-day mark passes, task force leadership remains focused on sustaining progress through the upcoming months. Continued cooperation between the Guard and local agencies is expected to carry the mission into the winter season, ensuring stability during high-profile public events and holiday gatherings across the capital.
“Whether it’s protecting the National Mall, supporting local police or lending a hand to community partners, our Guardsmen continue to make an impact,” Doane said. “Their professionalism, resilience and teamwork are what keep this mission strong.”
For the men and women of the National Guard, the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission is more than another assignment — it’s a living example of what unity of effort can achieve. Every patrol, every act of service and every partnership formed represents a shared commitment to the people and places that define the nation’s capital.
Story by Billy Blankenship
187th Fighter Wing