At noon on Friday, 200 infantry Marines from Marine Corps Ground Air Station Twentynine Palms will take over the role of protecting the Wilshire Federal Building in Los Angeles, assuming the mission from Army National Guard soldiers who have been on the property this week, said Major Gen. Scott Sherman, the commander of Task Force 51.

The two companies began training with soldiers on Thursday night, but are now taking over full operation of guarding the federal building. Officials said they will be armed with their service rifles. They will also have standard crowd-control gear, which includes helmets, face shields, batons and gas masks.

Military officials have previously said these Marines are trained in de-escalation, crowd control, and in standing rules for the use of force. 

“Service members receive that training before they ever go on the mission,” he said. “It includes descalation techniques and proper use of crowd control.”