Soldiers return from securing Nation’s capital

Soldiers from the California Army National Guard’s 340th Brigade Support Battalion, 115th Regional Support Group, return to California after two months spent on mission in Washington, D.C., March 14, 2021 at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport in Stockton, California. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)

Soldiers from the California Army National Guard’s 340th Brigade Support Battalion, 115th Regional Support Group, return to California after two months spent on mission in Washington, D.C., March 14, 2021 at the Stockton Metropolitan Airport in Stockton, California. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)

Story by Master Sgt. Joe Prouse
California National Guard Public Affairs

March 24, 2021

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. – Five large gray C-130 Hercules aircraft touched down at airports across the state last Sunday, bringing an end to a uniquely memorable mission for more than 250 California National Guardsmen.

Prior to the recent presidential inauguration and the Jan. 6 raid on the Capitol Building, National Guard units from across the country were requested to bolster support to Washington, D.C. law enforcement. In mid-January, about 300 California National Guard Soldiers deployed to support Capitol Police and remained in the area for nearly 90 days.

“I just got home from advanced individual training and saw the threat on the Capital,” said Pfc. Isaac Escobar, a new member of the 340th Brigade Support Battalion. “Immediately I signed up to go. We did not know what was going to happen day to day, but I feel very proud and patriotic for this being my first mission and I am also glad to be home.”

Known as Task Force Saber, the deployment was comprised of multiple California Army National Guard units including the 340th Brigade Support Battalion, 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion and 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion. For some, this was their first time serving their country outside of their state.

Troops belonging to these units live all over California, so in order to get everyone home efficiently, the California Air National Guard launched five C-130 aircraft to bring them to three different destinations; landing sites were designated at March Air Reserve Base in Moreno Valley, Moffett Air National Guard Base in Sunnyvale and Stockton Municipal Airport. The C-130s were flown from the 146th Airlift Wing and the 129th Rescue Wing.

U.S. Army Col. Jesse Miller, deputy commander of the joint task force, attended the Stockton landing to welcome home Escobar and many others.

“We are Soldiers and professionals. We have been here to support California since last March and when the President asked for more support. We were able to provide that as well, because we are citizens and we care,” said Miller. 

Top leadership was present to welcome home Soldiers at March Air Reserve base as well, where California National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. David Baldwin was there to greet them with words of thanks and praise.

“This was such a historic mission with such an immediate response by the California Guard,” he said. “It is sign of relief to see returning Soldiers; this event marks a time of returning to regular life for them as well as our nation.  Please take the time to thank your family who stayed back home on your behalf, worrying about their service member.”   

Director of Joint Staff and Joint Task Force California Dual Status Commander Brig. Gen. Jeff Smiley was eager to welcome home troops at Moffett Air National Guard Base. 

“I want to deeply thank you and your families, your support network, for answering the call,” he said. “I appreciate the flexibility you showed in D.C. These are challenging times and you continue to impress me by answering the call.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Martin Muneton, motor sergeant for the California Army National Guard’s 1040th Quartermaster Company, lifts a welcome back sign as more than 40 troops arrive at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, California, March 14, 2021 after a two-month mission in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Martin Muneton, motor sergeant for the California Army National Guard’s 1040th Quartermaster Company, lifts a welcome back sign as more than 40 troops arrive at Stockton Metropolitan Airport, California, March 14, 2021 after a two-month mission in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Legion Riders escort U.S. Army Soldiers of the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California Army National Guard as they return home after over two months in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and the American Legion Riders escort U.S. Army Soldiers of the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California Army National Guard as they return home after over two months in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard return home after over two months from Washington, D.C. where they were deployed prior to the presidential inauguration. The Soldiers arrived at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard return home after over two months from Washington, D.C. where they were deployed prior to the presidential inauguration. The Soldiers arrived at Moffett Air National Guard Base, California. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard return home after two months serving in Washington, D.C., the Soldiers arrived at Moffett Air National Guard Base where Pomeranian Rosie Johnston greeted the returning Soldiers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Neil Prasad)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard return home after two months serving in Washington, D.C., the Soldiers arrived at Moffett Air National Guard Base where Pomeranian Rosie Johnston greeted the returning Soldiers. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech Sgt. Neil Prasad)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard, return home after over two months from Washington, D.C. where they were deployed prior to the presidential inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard, return home after over two months from Washington, D.C. where they were deployed prior to the presidential inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

The Adjutant General of California, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, welcomes home California National Guard Soldiers with the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion at March Air Reserve Base, California, March 14, 2021. returning from their mission in Washington D.C. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

The Adjutant General of California, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, welcomes home California National Guard Soldiers with the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion at March Air Reserve Base, California, March 14, 2021. returning from their mission in Washington D.C. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

B-roll from California National Guard’s 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion’s return home, March 14, 2021. Soldiers flew into March Air Reserve Base, California after nearly two months on mission for domestic support in Washington, D.C. (Video by U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)

B-roll from California National Guard’s 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion’s return home, March 14, 2021. Soldiers flew into March Air Reserve Base, California after nearly two months on mission for domestic support in Washington, D.C. (Video by U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)

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U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard, return home after over two months from Washington, D.C. where they were deployed prior to the presidential inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, California National Guard, return home after over two months from Washington, D.C. where they were deployed prior to the presidential inauguration. (U.S. Air National Guard video by Master Sgt. Ray Aquino)

The Adjutant General of California, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, welcomes home California National Guard Soldiers with the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion at March Air Reserve Base, California, March 14, 2021. returning from their mission in Washington D.C. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

The Adjutant General of California, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Baldwin, welcomes home California National Guard Soldiers with the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion at March Air Reserve Base, California, March 14, 2021. returning from their mission in Washington D.C. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Amanda H. Johnson)

B-roll from California National Guard’s 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion’s return home, March 14, 2021. Soldiers flew into March Air Reserve Base, California after nearly two months on mission for domestic support in Washington, D.C. (Video by U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)

B-roll from California National Guard’s 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion’s return home, March 14, 2021. Soldiers flew into March Air Reserve Base, California after nearly two months on mission for domestic support in Washington, D.C. (Video by U.S. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill)

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