N.C. Guard Stands Ready for Hurricane

RALEIGH, NC (09/01/2010)(readMedia)-- The North Carolina National Guard is activating 81 personnel today in preparation of Hurricane Earl. Soldiers and Airmen are scheduled to report to locations in eastern N.C. this evening to begin preparing to support emergency operations. There are an additional 150 Guardsmen on standby. These Soldiers and Airmen will be used for command and control, working as liaisons in N.C. Emergency Management field offices, assisting in logistics operations, and will provide a variety of security or reconnaissance assistance to emergency personnel. Additionally, two UH-60 Blackhawk aircraft and crews will be readied at their headquarters in Salisbury, N.C.

The N.C. Guard will continue to work together with North Carolina Emergency Management authorities to identify critical needs throughout this emergency.

The N.C. National Guard has approximately 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen in its ranks with almost 850 mobilized for federal active duty. The citizen Soldiers and Airmen of the N.C. Guard have mobilized for numerous hurricanes and bring a great deal of knowledge and expertise to hurricane relief operations.

The N.C. National Guard utilizes a "Force Package" concept that is specifically designed to address a wide variety disaster support needs. These Force Packages range from engineering and security to logistical assets, aviation, power generation, route clearance and transportation.

Recent N.C. National Guard Hurricane Operations:

1999 – Mobilized for Hurricane Floyd: Approximately 6,500

2005 – Mobilized to support Hurricanes: 1,367

Katrina – 900 Guardsmen with the first 300 within 48 hours of the storm.

Other Hurricane support: Wilma-24, Ophelia-416, Rita-12, Trop. Dep. Tammy-15

2006 – Mobilized for tropical storm Ernesto, approximately 220

For queries, contact the North Carolina National Guard Public Affairs Office at pao@ng.army.mil or by phone at (919) 612- 5061. For more NCNG news, visit our website: www.nc.ngb.army.mil.