Video

Video by Sgt. Don Kazery

Mississippi National Guard Returns Home from Support of Civil Authorities Mission in Washington D.C.

Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi National Guard

June 7, 2020 | 2:24

Approximately 400 activated Mississippi National Guard service members have safely returned home from their mission in support of civil authorities in Washington D.C. The MSNG’s mission as Task Force Magnolia was to provide military and strategic support to law enforcement ensuring a safe and secure environment in the District of Columbia.
It has been an honor for the MSNG to be a part of this historic mission. MSNG has played an important role to keep our communities safe, offered help to heal divisions and move our nation forward. MSNG Soldiers executed their mission with honor, integrity and compassion as they served in a supporting role to civil authorities to safeguard our national monuments and protect the First Amendment Right for American citizens.
“Mississippi is a fortunate state,” said Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, the adjutant general of the Mississippi. “We have young men and women who are diversely qualified in their professions. We are putting the right skillsets to assist with identified needs from COVID-19 testing, support to civil authorities during civil unrest and support to MEMA (Mississippi Emergency Management Agency) during natural disaster weather response. We are a trained and ready force and we are responding to missions in our communities, throughout our state and in missions overseas in the Middle East region,” said Boyles.

The MSNG was part of a larger contingent of approximately 5,000 National Guard service members activated from 11 states in support of civil authorities in the District of Columbia. Our Soldiers were vital in the response to safeguard our national monuments and aiding civil authorities with presence patrols posturing a peaceful environment for citizens’ voices to be heard.
The MSNG is actively continuing to support the Governor’s COVID-19 Task Force and state agencies with testing site missions in response to COVID-19; resulting in support to approximately 280 testing site locations throughout the state. The MSNG stands ready to respond to any mission in support of our state and nation to protect citizens and infrastructure during times of emergency and natural disasters.