What do you make of this?
My mom works at Ft. Meade in Maryland and I used to be in the Old Guard at Ft. Myer in Arlington, VA.
The Old Guard was responsible for all of the funerals and wreath-laying ceremonies in Arlington National Cemetary, as well as retirements, arrivals for foreign dignitaries and domestice public relations events. But the combat role of The Old Guard was to keep peace in DC, which we had to do during the WTO riots in 2000.
Apparently, as a friend confirmed, they are on alert and have been doing exercises related to terrorist attacks, like 9/11. You could dismiss this as just an exercise, but to be put on alert, means that they think something is going to happen, it's not just a cautionary measure.
During my 3 years in the Old Guard, we were only put on alert once and that was for the riots, which we had to serve rotating shifts as riot control and only then, because we were the MP platoon in the Old Guard.
For the entire district to be activated and put on alert should raise some serious red flags with you guys. (snip)
Subject: Military Activates Joint Headquarters to Deter Threats in National Capital Region
As part of U.S. Northern Command, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region brings the strength of America's military in focus for the defense of America's capital. JFHQ-NCR, based at Fort McNair, is responsible for land-based homeland defense, military support to civil authorities, and consequence management in a multi-jurisdictional area that encompasses six counties, four cities and the District of Columbia. JFHQ-NCR draws together existing resources of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard into a single point headquarters for planning, coordination and execution of the USNORTHCOM mission in the National Capital Region.
JFHQ-NCR is to be activated during a ceremony at noon Wednesday, Sept. 22, on Summerall Field at Fort Myer. Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, commanding general of the Military District of Washington, will also command the JFHQ-NCR. To learn more about JFHQ-NCR, visit its web site at http://www.mdw.army.mil/jfhqncr.
Donald N. Carr
Director of Public Affairs
U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Belvoir
9820 Flagler Road Suite 201
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060
(703) 805-2583/(DSN) 655-2583
www.belvoir.army.mil
I should have put quotes around the post after my question. This is from a person posting on ats.
There was a terror drill in Baltimore.
I wonder if they were called up for that?