Around 200 SC National Guard soldiers return home from D.C.

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Around 200 Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina Army National Guard have returned home today after completing an over 30-day support mission in Washington, D.C.

According to Major Karla Evans, the South Carolina National Guard was a key component of the multistate effort involving approximately 2,300 National Guard members. Their primary mission was to provide critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, reinforcing safety and security for residents, workers, and visitors in the nation’s capital.

Their duties included providing security at Metro stations, patrolling the National Mall, engaging with the local community, assisting tourists, maintaining a visible presence around the White House, and providing support during sporting events.

Soldiers provided life-saving aid, assisted in the apprehension of a robbery suspect, and offered essential support to D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers.

“Our Soldiers’ ability to jump right into this mission is a testament to their professionalism and resolve,” says Lt. Col. Javier Yudice, commander, 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina Army National Guard.

“Our Soldiers and officers’ abilities to step into leadership positions above their rank are a direct reflection of how we train.”

The South Carolina National Guard provided additional support by deploying two Chaplain teams, which provided spiritual and emotional care for Soldiers, and a Public Affairs team, which documented the deployment’s impact nearly every day.

Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, were activated for this mission immediately following their annual training exercise at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

“It was a difficult ask of these Soldiers, to assume the mission coming out of a demanding annual training at Fort Stewart,” says Lt. Col. Javier Yudice, commander, 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, South Carolina Army National Guard, adding, “their dedication and commitment and that of their families is a testament to the strength that builds the South Carolina National Guard.”

The Georgia National Guard has assumed responsibility for the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission from South Carolina.