Marines and National Guard Deployment in LA for Federal Agency Support

Mission Overview

• 🎯 Major General Scott Sherman leads Task Force 51, organizing the mobilization of California National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines.
• 🤝 The primary mission is to support federal agencies, particularly US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), by protecting their personnel and facilities during federal law enforcement operations.
• 🛡️ The deployment aims to safeguard federal assets and facilities in areas experiencing recent demonstrations.

Troop Deployment and Roles

• 🔢 The operation involves approximately 4,700 personnel: 4,000 from the California National Guard and 700 Marines.
• 📍 Currently, 2,000 National Guard troops are active, with an additional 2,000 mobilizing and preparing for training.
• 🚢 Marines are stationed at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and are undergoing civil disturbance and rules of force training.

Operational Scope and Limitations

• 🔒 Troops are authorized to temporarily detain individuals to await law enforcement, but they do not conduct arrests or searches.
• 🚫 Under Title 10 federal orders, soldiers are strictly prohibited from performing regular law enforcement operations like arrests or searches.
• 🔫 Troops are armed for personal protection, but their engagement is limited to protecting federal personnel and facilities.

Training and Preparedness

• 🎓 National Guard and Marines receive two days of extensive training for civil disturbance, crowd control, and facility protection.
• ⚠️ This training is considered extensive for the specific mission, though local law enforcement training is typically much longer.
• 🗺️ The deployment is currently focused on the City of Los Angeles, but could extend to other locations based on federal agency needs.

Operational Context

• 🗓️ The operation is managed on a day-by-day basis, with directives to temporarily protect buildings and personnel.
• ⚖️ A lawsuit by the State of California challenges the deployment of Marines under an 1800s law, which is being handled outside the scope of operational command.
• ❓ The exact timeline for troop withdrawal is dependent on the needs of the federal agencies being supported.