Alabama National Guard Soldiers return from Superstorm Sandy response

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Soldiers of the Alabama National Guard's 167th Theater Sustainment Command board a C23 Sherpa aircraft at the Anniston Airport Nov. 3, on their way to support Superstorm Sandy response.

FORT MCCLELLAN, AL (11/16/2012)(readMedia)-- The majority of Soldiers from the 167th Theater Sustainment Command, who have been supporting the federal Superstorm Sandy disaster response efforts, have returned to Fort McClellan Army National Guard Training Center, Ala. The 167th's remaining troops – about five Soldiers finalizing the TSC's transition – are scheduled to be home soon.

The 167th TSC deployed Soldiers to New York, New Jersey and Delaware Oct. 28, to provide logistical organization support in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which struck the Northeast region, Oct. 30.

"This was an especially gratifying mission as we were assisting fellow Americans in peril and I couldn't be prouder of the professionalism and accomplishments of the Soldiers of the 167th TSC," said Maj. Gen. Reynold Hoover, the 167th's commanding general.

Within 24 hours of being notified, approximately 50 Soldiers of the 167th TSC prepared to board aircraft or drive specialty vehicles to the impacted area.

During the weeks since the storm, Soldiers of the 167th conducted disaster relief operations in support of Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Northern Command, and numerous state and local authorities.

All TSC operations were integrated with those of the Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst and federal and state agencies as part of the 167th TSC's mission of conducting operations in support of civilian authorities. .

"We were glad that they could go assist," said Maj. Gen. Perry G. Smith, the Alabama National Guard's top officer. "And we're really glad that they are home in time to spend Thanksgiving with their families," he continued. "It's good to have these hard-working Soldiers home and we continue to pray for those suffering from the terrible effects of Sandy."

Soldiers from the 167th TSC provided personnel with skills in logistics management and various administrative command and control experience. Soldiers coordinated fueling and water removal operations giving local authorities, relief workers, and utility crews access to neighborhoods in order to reestablish critical infrastructure for the impacted areas.

The 167th TSC is the senior logistics headquarters for the United States Northern Command and U.S. Army North.

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