BISMARCK — Approximately 60 North Dakota Army National Guard soldiers will support the District of Columbia National Guard under Joint Task Force-DC starting in April to help increase safety in the nation’s capital.

“Safeguarding the citizens, federal workers and elected leaders in our nation’s capital is a matter of national security, and we appreciate these soldiers volunteering for this important mission,” said Gov. Kelly Armstrong. “We know they will represent our state with the skill and professionalism that military leaders everywhere have come to expect from the North Dakota National Guard.”

Most soldiers are from the 131st Military Police Battalion, which is headquartered in Bismarck.

“I am extremely proud of our soldiers who took on this mission,” said. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, ND National Guard adjutant general. “They will assist the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement partners. Our North Dakotans will be part of a great team with fellow Guardsmen from other states.”

Starting on Aug. 11, 2025, several states activated members of their National Guards to support local and federal law enforcement in the District of Columbia. This initiative supports the President’s Executive Order 14333, which declared a crime emergency in the District of Columbia.

The support is a federal mission under the command of the D.C. National Guard, which supports civilian agencies and local law enforcement to reduce crime and minimize property damage.