Military to ratchet up security for Obama inauguration
Air defense will be 'robust' and thousands of personnel will be on high alert, with medical units and chemical-attack experts in place, when the new president is sworn into office.
Reporting from Washington — The U.S. military will be on high alert during the inauguration of Barack Obama, with increased air defenses, chemical-attack teams and medical units in place, a top general said in disclosing details of the plan today.
Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., who heads the military command that oversees security for North America, said the Defense Department has been told of no specific threats, but that the armed services need to be ready to respond to an attack or other emergency.
"It would make news for a terrorist element or rogue element to interrupt that event," Renuart said. "So it is prudent to plan for the possibility of that event and to deter it or to respond to it."
Northern Command, frequently called Northcom, is the military command that succeeded the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, which guarded U.S. airspace. After 2001, the command was given broad responsibility for domestic security.
The military duties are not unprecedented. Northern Command officials said they also provided security support for inaugural activities in 2005 as well as for national political conventions and major athletic events, such as the Super Bowl.
The U.S. Secret Service is the lead agency coordinating security for the inauguration, but about 11,500 military service members will take part through Northcom.
Some of those military personnel will be part of the inaugural events, playing in bands, marching in parades and conducting honor ceremonies. But Renuart made clear that much of the force will have a role in security and response.
About 4,000 National Guard members will provide support to local law enforcement agencies, boosting security on the National Mall and around Washington, where millions of people are expected to visit to see the inauguration.
The military also will use 7,500 active-duty troops, who have expertise the guard does not, including emergency medical teams and experts in chemical attack.
"Northcom's role is to plan for any contingencies that might occur," Renuart said. "So chemical response will be on alert."
Air defenses around Washington are always tight, but Renuart said the number of patrols would increase during the inauguration.
"Our integrated air defenses for the national capital region will be up, robust and available," he said.
julian.barnes@latimes.com
