Gov. Kay Ivey said 191 Alabama National Guard soldiers and airmen on duty in Washington D.C., will be home by Christmas. Meanwhile, about 200 more here in Alabama are preparing to go to the nation’s capital. Alabama’s first wave of soldiers and airmen sent to Washington were mobilized at the end of September. The new deployment, about 200 soldiers and airmen, will remain in Washington an estimated 90 days. The deployments are for President Trump’s initiative that he says is needed to make Washington safer and reduce crime. Ivey recently signed an executive order to create new recruiting incentives for the Alabama State Military Department, which includes the Army and Air National Guard. Alabama National Guard Adjutant General David Pritchett said the incentives will strengthen the guard’s “ability to recruit, retain and support the talented men and women who choose to serve, ensuring we remain ready to meet any mission.” Reporting by Mike Cason #nationalguard #washingtondc #army