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Saturday, February 7, 2026

Hegseth Reenlists More Than 100 National Guardsmen in Nation's Capital

The secretary of war poses for a photo with dozens of troops.

Hegseth Reenlists More Than 100 National Guardsmen in Nation's Capital

Feb. 6, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez

More than 100 National Guard personnel from nine different states gathered in front of the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington today to recite the oath of enlistment and extend their service contracts.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth administered the oath.

Those guard members — from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia — are among the more than 2,600 guardsmen currently serving in Washington, at the behest of President Donald J. Trump, in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force mission.

The task force stood up in August 2025, after the president declared a crime emergency in the nation's capital.

Washington is safe again — thanks to the work of the thousands of guard personnel who have volunteered for the mission over the past six months, Hegseth said.

"What you've accomplished on your mission in this city is historic, life-changing, actually," he said. "Anybody who arrived in this city in 2024, early 2025, knows exactly what we walked into — a city full of crime, graffiti, lawlessness. The folks that lived here kind of got used to it, but visitors showed up and asked what happened to the capital."

Crime is down in the district, Hegseth said, both visitors and residents feel safe again, and it's because National Guard members are working hand-in-hand with local law enforcement and federal partners to secure the city and make it safe and beautiful.

"This is a brand-new city; a fundamentally different city," he said. "President Trump promised to deliver that. I talk about it. The Army talks about it. Your leadership talks about it. You guys do it every day ... that gives assurances to the people that live here, the people that are visiting here, and you provide a capital that Americans deserve, that the world should see. You should be extremely proud."

For a year now, Hegseth said, the U.S. military has seen phenomenal recruiting numbers — numbers that indicate young Americans want to sign up to serve their country. But just as important as recruiting numbers, he said, are retention numbers. When service members reenlist, it means the War Department and military services are doing things the right way, in terms of mission and providing the right kind of support to service members.

"It's a great sign," the secretary said. "It's a great sign of your leadership. It's a great sign of belief in the mission. You've got good leaders ... taking care of you. And that's the view that we've had from the department from the beginning. ... We're going to ask you to do tough things, but we're also going to ensure that we have your back the entire time in every way that we can."

While addressing the guardsmen, Hegseth pointed out the significance of where their reenlistment was happening — right at the center of a handful of landmarks that represent the very ideals U.S. military personnel are sworn to protect.

"When I heard there was some reenlistments, I said, let's pile them all up — as many as we can — and do it as a group to show to the American people how dedicated [and] together we are to this beautiful mission, this beautiful city this [and] beautiful country," Hegseth said.

This year, the United States commemorates 250 years as a nation, and Hegseth pointed out monuments that represent the nation's history — each visible to those in attendance.

As he spoke, he pointed to the Washington Monument, representing the father of the nation, George Washington; the Lincoln Memorial, representing the American president who kept the nation together despite having endured a brutal civil war; the U.S. Capitol, where the laws that define a nation are written; and finally the White House, where the words that are written in the Capitol become the nation's laws.

"Our job is to be willing to raise our right hand and defend it all," Hegseth said. "There's laws that are made, declarations that are made, and then there are men and women who defend [them]. That's exactly what you do."

Army Sgt. Christian N. Brown, a public affairs specialist assigned to the Mississippi National Guard, was one of those reenlisting in the frigid cold on Friday morning. He's been in the Army for seven years, he said, and he's been on mission in Washington since September 2025, as part of Joint Task Force Magnolia, which comprises units from the Louisiana and Mississippi National Guards supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.

"I pretty much document everything that Joint Task Force Magnolia does throughout the area of operations, both inside the [area of operation] and back at command," Brown said.

Being able to reenlist with the secretary of war administering the oath, he said, means a lot, as does his military service.

"I'm very proud to be both in the Mississippi National Guard and to be in the Army," Brown said. "I joined when I was 19; I didn't expect much when joining, but I've actually found a family here with the military, and I love my job. I've always loved being in the military and being in the Army, and it is such a great honor."

Army Spc. Cristal Sanchez, a field artillery specialist assigned to the Alabama National Guard, has been in Washington since September 2025, as part of Task Force Yellow Hammer.

"We're patrolling the streets; we're helping law enforcement maintain the city," Sanchez said, adding that she feels good about what she's doing. "I am proud; I think we're doing a good job maintaining D.C., safe and beautiful."

This is Sanchez's third year in the Army, and she said it's an honor to be reenlisted by the secretary of war.

"I feel privileged," she said. "It's not an opportunity you get every day."

Army Master Sgt. Michael E. Eschenfelder is assigned to the Florida National Guard and has been in the Army for 36 years, both active duty and with the guard.

"We're making D.C. beautiful and safe again for the people to walk around," Eschenfelder said. "I think every American should have the right to walk their streets without fear, and if we're out here helping them do that — it's an honor to do that."

Eschenfelder said the work he and his team of soldiers typically do involves disaster response, such as hurricanes, so this work is new to them.

"We always get Florida back up and running real quick," he said. "But here we're on a different mission. We're not doing logistics. We're doing security. My people work in Foggy Bottom ... there's a lot of people coming up to us ... and they're talking about how great it is to see us here. They can feel that everything is relaxing."

Eschenfelder is mostly proud of what he is involved in, and proud to be reenlisted by the secretary of war.

"It's an honor to be here," he said. "I've never been more proud to be a soldier. I'm telling you right now, this is a good time to be a soldier. I'm just so happy and pumped up to be here for this event. It's amazing."

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Contracts for Feb. 6, 2026

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FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET

Contracts For Feb. 6, 2026

NAVY

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida, is being awarded a $198,000,000 ceiling-priced delivery order (N00383-26-F-S50R) under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-22-G-S501) for the purchase of 608 power amplifier module spares in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida. Work is expected to be completed by February 2029. This announcement involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) from Japan. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $64,307,666; and FMS funds in the amount of $32,712,334, will be obligated at time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code. 3204 (a)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was awarded a $69,235,114 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-24-C-2112) to exercise an option for Naval Nuclear Propulsion Components. Work will be performed in Monroeville, Pennsylvania (61%); and Schenectady, New York (39%), and is expected to be completed by September 2033. Fiscal 2026 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $11,209,535 was obligated at time of award and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Awarded Jan. 30, 2026)

General Atomics, San Diego, California, is awarded a $43,349,633 modification (P00002) to a firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee order (N0001925F0028) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0014). This modification exercises options to provide continued advancement of the design and development of the future French carrier configuration of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear through the critical design review, resulting in a configuration baseline being established as well as procures technical data to support the configuration. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (89%); Lakehurst, New Jersey (5.5%); Tupelo, Mississippi (3.5%); Boston, Massachusetts (1%); and Patuxent River, Maryland (1%), and is expected to be completed in January 2028. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of $43,349,633 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Seqirus USA Inc., Summit, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $15,969,518 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for injectable egg-free influenza vaccines. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a Feb. 5, 2027, ordering period end date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DP-26-D-0006).

AIR FORCE

Serco Inc., Herndon, Virginia, has been awarded a $15,629,422 modification (P00007) to previously awarded (FA489024F0002) to exercise Option Year Two for organizational planning, program management & technical consulting supporting United States Air Forces Central. This modification brings the cumulative face value of the contract to $44,334,763 from $28,705,341. Work will be performed at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina; and the Central Command area of responsibility, and is expected to be completed Feb. 28, 2029. Fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $15,629,422 are being obligated at the time of award. Headquarters Air Combat Command, Acquisition Management and Integration Center, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Montgomery, Alabama, was awarded a firm-fixed-price for the operation of dining facilities at the Fort McClellan Training Center, including food preparation, serving, and sanitation to ensure high-quality, nutritious meals. The amount of this action is $12,200,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2031. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W912JA-26-D-A001).

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This Week in DOW: Arsenal of Freedom Tour Looks to Space, Protecting VMI, Scouting Under Scrutiny, Air Force Recruiting Up

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In a graphic, three photographs are stacked next to the Department of War sign on a building.

This Week in DOW: Arsenal of Freedom Tour Looks to Space, Protecting VMI, Scouting Under Scrutiny, Air Force Recruiting Up

Feb. 6, 2026 | By Matthew Olay

This week, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth continued the War Department's "Arsenal of Freedom" tour by paying a visit to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Feb. 2.

While there, he visited with defense industry leaders, met with senior NASA leadership and delivered remarks to members of the Blue Origin space program workforce alongside company founder Jeff Bezos, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson explained today during the department's Weekly Sitrep video.

"You are the men and women who pour your lives and careers into building these incredible launch systems that we need that give us that advantage; whether it's in Iran, whether it's in Venezuela whether it's halfway around the world — that's the advantage our warfighters need," Hegseth told the crowd.

He added that private-sector companies are crucial to ensuring the U.S. military dominates in space.

"We welcome those partners, and we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you in these critical efforts," Hegseth said.

Prior to arriving in Cape Canaveral, Hegseth administered the oath of enlistment to a group of military recruits in Titusville, Florida.

On Feb. 3, the War Department announced that it is monitoring Virginia House Bill 1374 with "significant concern."

Introduced in January of this year, the bill seeks to restructure governance of the Virginia Military Institute with an aim toward bringing VMI under the management of Virginia State University's Board of Visitors.

"For generations, the unique military environment at VMI has made the institute a vital source of commissioned officers for the armed forces," Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said via a social media statement.

"The stability of this proven leadership pipeline is a matter of direct national security interest and any action that could disrupt the ecosystem requires our full attention," the statement continued. Parnell added that the War Department "reserves the right to take extraordinary measures" to protect VMI's integrity, and that the department's commitment to the students attending VMI remains steadfast.

Also this week, the Pentagon announced that it has spent the past several months reviewing its relationship with Scouting America — formerly the Boy Scouts of America — regarding the organization's embrace of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as other "social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances," according to another social media post by Parnell.

On Jan. 21, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order that called for terminating DEI in federal contracting, and all of DOW's affiliations must meet that standard, according to Parnell's statement.

"Our review of the DOW's financial assistance and partnership with Scouting America, including its quadrennial National Jamboree celebration, has been rigorous and ongoing. Scouting America remains far from perfect, but they have firmly committed to a return to core principles," the statement continued. Parnell added that the Pentagon and Scouting America are nearing a final agreement to continue their ongoing partnership.

"We will have more to announce soon," Wilson said.

Lastly this week, the department learned that the Air Force fiscal year 2026 recruiting goals are off to an outstanding start, with roughly 20,000 recruits in the service's delayed entry program.

The Air Force is aiming to take on 32,750 recruits this fiscal year, which is a 9% increase over fiscal year 2025.

Wilson said the 20,000 recruits represent a 50% increase in the number of recruits who were in the program at this time last year, and that the Air Force currently has the biggest backlog in 10 years of young men and women who are waiting to ship to basic training.

"As the deputy commander of Air Force recruiting puts it, '2026 is looking good,'" Wilson added.

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