Sanders Extends Arkansas Army National Guard Deployment to Nation’s Capital by 90 Days

~ 100 Soldiers from the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade to continue support for D.C. National Guard civil security mission

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has approved a 90-day extension to the deployment of approximately 100 Arkansas Army National Guard Soldiers to Washington, D.C., to support the D.C. National Guard's ongoing civil security operations. Governor Sanders previously announced the Guard's deployment in November 2025.

"Arkansas' Guardsmen are the best in the country, and I saw firsthand their hard work and commitment to public safety when I had the chance to visit our men and women serving in D.C. last December," said Governor Sanders. "This mission is delivering significant, real improvements to public safety in our nation's capital, and I am honored that our Guard is playing a part in keeping D.C. safe."

"Under the Governor's strong leadership, the Arkansas National Guard is proud to continue its support to the District of Columbia. We are proud of our Soldiers as they help increase the security of Washington, D.C., while displaying the values of Arkansas through their professional and selfless service," said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Adjutant General of Arkansas.

Governor Sanders spoke to Arkansas guardsmen deploying to Washington, D.C., at a send-off ceremony at Fort Chaffee in December 2025. She later joined U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and visited with Guardsmen during a trip to Washington.

Since the broader Department of War mission began in August 2025, the operation has seen more than 6,000 arrests and gotten more than 600 illegal guns off the street. Compared to the same time period in the year prior, murders are down 60%, robberies are down 50%, and carjackings are down 70%.

The soldiers are from the Arkansas Army National Guard's 142^nd Field Artillery Brigade. They have been deployed in the National Capital Region since after the Thanksgiving holiday.

This is a federally funded mission, and the Soldiers conduct security presence patrols and provide law enforcement support in designated areas. The deployment is part of a routine rotational relief of National Guard units currently assigned to the mission.

The Arkansas National Guard maintains trained and ready forces prepared to deploy worldwide in support of federal missions and U.S. national security objectives. The Guard also supports civil authorities within the state when directed by the Governor, including security operations, disaster response, and emergency assistance.

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