Walk down Hollywood Boulevard or grab a coffee in Santa Monica today, and you won’t see Humvees blocking intersections. You won't see soldiers in fatigues carrying rifles outside the Staples Center—now Crypto.com Arena. So, the short answer is no. If you’re asking are the National Guard still in LA in the context of the massive deployments seen in 2020 or during the civil unrest of years past, they have long since packed up and headed back to their home armories.
But "gone" is a tricky word when it comes to the military.
California has the largest National Guard force in the United States. They don't just vanish; they shift. While the high-profile images of troops guarding City Hall are a memory, the Guard's footprint in Los Angeles remains massive, just much more behind the scenes. They are working on things you probably didn't even realize were military-adjacent.
Why people keep asking: Are the National Guard still in LA?
It makes sense why the question lingers. We’ve seen some intense visuals over the last few years. During the George Floyd protests in June 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom deployed over 1,000 Guard members to Los Angeles alone. They were everywhere. It was jarring. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, where the Guard stayed for months, running mass vaccination sites at Cal State LA and the Dodgers Stadium parking lot.
They left the streets. They stayed in the logistics.
Actually, the last time there was a "visible" surge that felt like a deployment was during the 2022 Super Bowl and various high-profile summits. But once the cameras leave, the mission changes. Most people don't realize that the California National Guard operates out of several permanent facilities right in the heart of the metro area. If you see a green truck on the 405, it’s not a "deployment." It’s a Tuesday.
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The "Silent" Missions in the Basin
Right now, the Guard's presence in Los Angeles is focused on three specific, non-combat areas: Counter-drug operations, wildfire prevention, and cyber security. The Counterdrug Task Force is huge here. They work directly with the LAPD and the DEA. They aren't kicking down doors in neighborhoods, but they are providing the "eye in the sky" and heavy-duty logistics for interdicting fentanyl shipments coming through the ports or moving across the regional highways. Honestly, it’s a grind. It isn’t the dramatic stuff you see in movies. It’s a lot of data analysis and transport support.
Then there’s the fire.
Every year, the "deployment" many residents worry about is actually a relief effort. Through programs like Task Force Rattlesnake, Guard members work alongside CAL FIRE. They’re in the brush around the Santa Monica Mountains and the Angeles National Forest doing "fuel reduction." They’re cutting lines so that when the Santa Ana winds kick up, your house doesn't burn down.
Permanent Bases You Drive Past Every Day
If you want to know where they "are," look at the map. The Guard isn't just "in" LA; they live here.
- Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base: Just over the border in Orange County, this is the massive hub for Southern California. If a major earthquake hits the San Andreas fault tomorrow, this is where the helicopters take off from.
- The Van Nuys Armory: A staple of the Valley.
- The West LA Armory: Sitting on some of the most expensive real estate in the country near Sawtelle.
These aren't active war zones. They are community centers, training grounds, and administrative hubs. They are part of the neighborhood fabric.
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Misconceptions about "Martial Law" and Routine Training
Social media loves a good conspiracy. You’ve probably seen the TikTok videos. Someone sees five tan trucks on a flatbed train moving through East LA and suddenly the caption says "Martial Law 2026!"
Stop.
The National Guard is a "Dual Status" force. They have a state mission (reporting to the Governor) and a federal mission (reporting to the President). Moving equipment is a logistical necessity. Batteries need to be exercised. Vehicles need maintenance that only certain depots can provide. When you ask are the National Guard still in LA, you have to distinguish between "active civil patrol" and "routine military existence."
There is currently no active state of emergency in Los Angeles that requires Guard patrols. None. The LAPD and the LA County Sheriff’s Department have more than enough boots on the ground for daily operations. Using the Guard for standard policing is actually incredibly expensive and legally complicated under the Posse Comitatus Act (though that technically applies more to federal troops, state rules are similarly restrictive).
What to actually watch for
If you see a sudden increase in Guard presence, it’s usually tied to one of three things:
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- The Big One: Not just an earthquake, but any massive natural disaster.
- Major Events: Think the upcoming 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics. During these times, the Guard provides "CBRNE" support—that’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive detection. They are the guys in the background making sure a "dirty bomb" isn't a threat while you're watching a soccer match.
- Humanitarian Crisis: We saw this with the influx of migrants and the homelessness crisis. While the Guard hasn't been used for mass housing in LA recently, the infrastructure is there.
The reality is that the Guard is a "break glass in case of emergency" tool. They are currently in the "box," not on the shelf.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 and 2028 Horizon
Expect to see them more soon. Not because of unrest, but because LA is about to become the center of the sporting world. Between the FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium and the lead-up to the 2028 Summer Olympics, the "Security State" is going to ramp up.
The National Guard will be a massive part of the transportation and security lattice. They will likely be stationed at LAX, the ports, and major transit hubs. This isn't a sign of a "takeover." It’s a sign that the city's infrastructure can't handle 5 million extra tourists without military-grade logistics.
So, if you’re driving and see a convoy, don’t panic. They aren't there to stop you. They’re likely just headed to drill or moving equipment to Los Alamitos.
Actionable Next Steps for LA Residents
- Check the Official Cal Guard Newsroom: If there is a real deployment, it will be announced on the California Military Department website. Don't rely on "X" or TikTok for deployment news.
- Understand the "Weekend Warrior" Schedule: Most Guard members are your neighbors. They work 9-to-5 jobs and "drill" one weekend a month. Increased sightings on the first or second weekend of the month are almost always just routine training.
- Monitor CAL FIRE Alerts: If you see Guard helicopters (Chinooks or Black Hawks with water buckets), check the fire maps. They are the primary aerial firefighting backup for the region.
- Differentiate Uniforms: Learn to spot the difference between private security (often in tactical gear), LAPD, and the Guard. The Guard will always have the "U.S. Army" or "U.S. Air Force" tape on their chest.
The military is part of LA's history, from the old Fort MacArthur in San Pedro to the current tech-heavy units in the Valley. They are here, but they aren't "patrolling." You can finish your latte in peace.