District of Columbia National Guard Responds to Hurricane Sandy

150 Guardsmen called up to support District storm relief efforts

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A District of Columbia National Guardsman checks a military vehicle during preparations for Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON, DC (10/30/2012)(readMedia)-- The District of Columbia National Guard has been requested by the City of Washington to support the District of Columbia Hurricane Sandy relief efforts by providing transportation assets and personnel in all eight wards to assist with street closures, transport damage assessment teams, transport emergency response personnel in high water areas and man up to thirty traffic control point locations.

The D.C. National Guard's Quick Reaction Force of approximately 150 soldiers and airmen have been on standby preparing since the morning of Oct. 29th, positioning and fueling military vehicles and training for potential missions.

The District of Columbia National Guard will provide assistance as long as needed, and has been requested through Nov. 4.

"We are the Capital Guardians, and are prepared to support the District during this time of crisis. We will provide timely effective responses coordinated with local and federal agencies in the aftermath of this terrible storm, "said Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard. "These are the kind of events we train for every day. We are truly always ready, always there for the citizens of the District of Columbia."

The Guard forces are organized into multi-function response packages equipped with medium tactical trucks, Humvees and guardsmen. They will be deployed to locations determined through coordination with The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

"As the Nation's first military responder, we have a duty to be ready to respond at a moment's notice." said Col. Aaron R. Dean, 74th Troop Command commander.

The D.C. National Guard is leaning on the experience of responding to other natural disasters. In recent years, the D.C. National Guard responded to the Derecho storms, Hurricane Irene and the Snowpocalypse blizzard.