WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of the 190th Air Refueling Wing have returned to Forbes Field following their deployment to Washington, D.C., where they provided support to the District of Columbia National Guard and local civilian authorities for the presidential inauguration from Jan. 17-27.
A total of 59 Coyotes volunteered for this short notice mission, transported by a 190th KC-135 Stratotanker. In addition, over 195 soldiers from the Kansas Army National Guard and over 30 Airmen from the 184th Wing also deployed.
The 190th’s main mission was to partake in the Joint Task Force SCOTUS that provided 24-hour security for the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. As part of this task force a U.S. Marshal held a mass ceremony for Airmen to be sworn-in as “special police.”
Upon arrival to the national Capitol region, Airmen were briefed on tentative schedules, expectations, and miscellaneous administrative items. They also conducted refresher self-aid buddy care and chemical biological radiological nuclear training, and riot control familiarization training at their hotels.
Select Airmen were also tasked with the responsibility to support quick reaction forces to respond to the White House and National Capitol Region in case of any disturbances.
Security shifts continued for a full week in the area of operations until the mission was determined to be completed. Airmen were then transported to Joint Base Andrews for out-processing and returning home.
Wing leadership were impressed with the amount of volunteers and readiness that Airmen displayed both in preparation to deploy and during Operation Capitol Response.
“I am filled with pride to see all of your willingness to take on challenges and contribute to the peace and security of our nation,” said Col. Daniel Skoda, 190th wing commander. “You have once again shown yourselves to be the “Standard of Excellence” in fulfilling the 190th’s mission to always be ready to serve our community, state, and nation.”
The 190th’s participation in Operation Capitol Response also took care of one of two Large-scale Readiness Exercises that the wing has to accomplish every Unit Effectiveness Inspection cycle. Because of this, the wing commander has decided to modify this year’s exercise schedule by removing the previously planned LRE in June 2021.
“The efforts you put toward the Large-scale Readiness Exercise have not gone unnoticed, and I thank you for that,” Skoda said. “Nonetheless, after discussion with your commanders, chiefs, and the inspector general staff, I have decided to replace our planned LRE 21-1 in June with Operation Capitol Response.”