The Nebraska National Guard is sending four Army National Guard helicopters and over twenty soldiers to Texas to assist in the ongoing Hurricane Harvey relief operations. The deployment is in support of an emergency management assistance request made by Texas on Sunday for additional National Guard helicopter support.
Governor Pete Ricketts said Nebraskans would stand shoulder to shoulder with Texas to assist in the emergency. "Nebraska is joining a number of other states to assist during this time of crisis. This multi-state cooperation is a great example of the American spirit - neighbors helping neighbors. I'm proud the Nebraska National Guard is providing their capabilities to help the great state of Texas and wish everyone a safe recovery.”
The helicopters and soldiers are from units based in Lincoln and Grand Island. The soldiers are trained to conduct aerial medical evacuation and hoist rescue missions. If requested, more Nebraska Army National Guard helicopters and soldiers are ready to back up the crews already headed to Texas in the mission.
Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac says the Nebraska National Guard is trained and ready to assist Texas in conducting relief operations in areas that have been severely affected by Hurricane Harvey and the flood emergency. “While we never wish for anyone to be faced with disaster, we are always ready to assist, whether here in Nebraska or elsewhere in the U.S. It’s what we train for. It’s who we are – America’s military first responders, whenever or wherever we are needed.”