Action News Now spoke with Lt. Colonel Jonathan Shiroma, Director of Public Affairs for the National Guard units in the state of California on Saturday.
Lt. Col. Shiroma said none of the National Guard from the far North State will be heading out to protect the US Capitol or the California State Capitol. He confirmed that units from the National Guard armories in Redding and Chico have not been called upon at this time, but are staying ready if they are called upon. Redding and Chico supports engineering units, which were not required for the current safety and security effort.
Shiroma said units from the Bay Area and Moreno Valley are supporting the protection of the US Capitol. They are among more than 300 soldiers who have or are deploying. They belong to the 115th Regional Support Group headquartered in Roseville and a 100 Troup Command headquartered in Moreno Valley.
The California Air National Guard provided two C-130 aircraft to transport the troops to the nation's capitol.
In addition, Action News Now was told that the main effort of California National Guard troops in Washington with be providing civil support operations. Some other troops will provide chemical-biological agent detection services on-site, and three religious support teams are making the trip. In addition, five service members trained in explosive ordnance detection have been activated.
The California State Capitol building in Sacramento and the surrounding area is being protected by more than a thousand National Guard members.
Lt. Col. Shiroma told Action News Now that the CHP and CAL OES are organizing the safety and security efforts in Sacramento. He explained that the National Guard always supports the other agencies, and does not work as a lead agency for such incidents.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - Police and National Guard troops are standing sentry at newly fortified statehouses as groups of armed demonstrators gather.
The increased security at state capitols ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration comes as authorities work to deter a repeat of the recent riot that overran the U.S. Capitol.
A few protesters gathered in some cities Sunday, including some carrying large guns. But streets remained empty around many other capitols.
Some protestors supported President Donald Trump, but others expressed general anti-government sentiments.
Though the FBI had warned of the potential for armed protests at capitol buildings, there were no immediate reports of violence Sunday.