An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.
Immediate Release

Statement by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs on Support to Civil Authorities

Attributable to Jonathan Rath Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs:

The Department of Defense moved multiple active duty Army units into the National Capital Region as a prudent planning measure in response to ongoing support to civil authorities operations.

The Secretary of Defense authorized the movement of an infantry battalion designated Task Force 504, assigned to the Army’s Immediate Response Force based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Additionally, at the Department’s direction, the U.S. Northern Command commander authorized the move of the 16th Military Police Brigade headquarters from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the 91st Military Police Battalion from Fort Drum, New York.  The brigade provides a command and control element for the battalion, which primarily provides military police and engineering capability.  

Active duty elements moved to the National Capital Region by military aircraft over the last 24 hours.

Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capital Region but are not in Washington DC. They are on heightened alert status but remain under Title X authority and are not participating in defense support to civil authority operations.  

The overall number of active duty troops recently moved from Fort Bragg and Fort Drum is approximately 1600 troops.