Oklahoma National Guard Deploys Task Force Thunder to Support Washington, DC Mission
Approximately 160 Guardsmen sent to join federal ‘D.C. Safe and Beautiful’ effort amid ongoing National Guard presence in the capital
Nearly 160 members of the Oklahoma National Guard’s Task Force Thunder have departed for Washington, DC this week to support the federal ‘D.C. Safe and Beautiful’ mission, part of a broader National Guard presence in the nation’s capital.
The deployment, which follows a send-off ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, was authorised by Governor Kevin Stitt and is expected to last around ninety days under the direction of Joint Task Force D.C.
Oklahoma’s participation is voluntary, with Guardsmen answering a federal request for additional support to supplement existing forces already stationed in Washington.
The mission comes amid broader federal efforts to bolster security, public space stewardship and related support activities in the capital, as requested by the Biden administration and extended under President Donald Trump’s executive directives.
The assignment is funded at the federal level, though specific cost details have not been disclosed by state officials.
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, emphasised the professionalism and commitment of the troops volunteering for the mission, noting their readiness to contribute to national objectives while maintaining ties to community and state responsibilities.
Guardsmen and their families gathered for the formal farewell, underscoring the service ethos and sense of duty that characterises National Guard deployments.
The Task Force’s arrival in Washington adds to a contingent of more than two thousand National Guard personnel already supporting operations in the district.
The broader deployment was initiated earlier in 2025 in response to federal directives and security considerations, with units from multiple states contributing personnel to sustain operations.
A recent ruling by a lower court had sought to end the National Guard presence, but an appeals court granted a temporary stay that allows the deployment to continue as legal proceedings advance.
The Oklahoma National Guard’s contribution reflects the layered nature of domestic support missions that integrate state units into federal tasking while preserving state command and control structures.
As Task Force Thunder begins its rotation, federal and local authorities will coordinate to define operational priorities and ensure that the Guard’s presence supports both safety and public engagement in the nation’s capital.
The deployment, which follows a send-off ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang, Oklahoma, was authorised by Governor Kevin Stitt and is expected to last around ninety days under the direction of Joint Task Force D.C.
Oklahoma’s participation is voluntary, with Guardsmen answering a federal request for additional support to supplement existing forces already stationed in Washington.
The mission comes amid broader federal efforts to bolster security, public space stewardship and related support activities in the capital, as requested by the Biden administration and extended under President Donald Trump’s executive directives.
The assignment is funded at the federal level, though specific cost details have not been disclosed by state officials.
Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard, emphasised the professionalism and commitment of the troops volunteering for the mission, noting their readiness to contribute to national objectives while maintaining ties to community and state responsibilities.
Guardsmen and their families gathered for the formal farewell, underscoring the service ethos and sense of duty that characterises National Guard deployments.
The Task Force’s arrival in Washington adds to a contingent of more than two thousand National Guard personnel already supporting operations in the district.
The broader deployment was initiated earlier in 2025 in response to federal directives and security considerations, with units from multiple states contributing personnel to sustain operations.
A recent ruling by a lower court had sought to end the National Guard presence, but an appeals court granted a temporary stay that allows the deployment to continue as legal proceedings advance.
The Oklahoma National Guard’s contribution reflects the layered nature of domestic support missions that integrate state units into federal tasking while preserving state command and control structures.
As Task Force Thunder begins its rotation, federal and local authorities will coordinate to define operational priorities and ensure that the Guard’s presence supports both safety and public engagement in the nation’s capital.
