SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –
The approximately 350 Utah National Guard Soldiers and Airmen mobilized to Washington, D.C. to support civil authorities for the 59th Presidential Inauguration are scheduled to return to Utah on Jan. 27, 2021.
The Utah National Guard task force that was comprised of service members from throughout the state to assist the Washington D.C. National Guard, will be transported to Utah on multiple aircraft. The service members will be flown from Washington D.C. to Salt Lake City aboard Utah Air National Guard’s KC-135, military aircraft.
“Task Force Utah, also known as Team Utah, represented our state and our National Guard units with excellence. The Soldiers served side-by-side the other National Guard members from over 20 states, with area security operations and performed their mission professionally. I am extremely proud of the Soldiers and leaders who stepped up to the challenge,” said Lt. Col. Clayton Anderson, commander, Task Force Utah. “I’m blown away on how the National Guard, both Air and Army, was able to make all the logistics work so smoothly on an operation so large and with so little notice. It felt incredible and humbling to serve in such a historical and significant place.”
All personnel were medically ready and adhered to COVID-19 risk mitigation protocols while assigned to the National Capital Region and upon their return will be given a COVID-19 rapid test before being released to their home station.
“Since Jan. 15, our Utah National Guard troops have served in Washington, D.C. with distinction. Now it’s time to bring them home as we need their help distributing COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the state. We’re grateful for the willingness of these dedicated men and women to serve whenever and wherever they are needed,” said Gov. Spencer Cox.