"And I certainly applaud the National Guard. It's a great capacity we can bring for surge. It's absolutely necessary in times like this. We have years of working together ... but no matter how much we plan, train or respond there are novelties to this situation that are going to challenge us."

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry

Soldiers from the Alabama National Guard build and maintain miles of HESCO barriers to protect Dauphin Island, Ala., beaches from the BP oil spill on July 23, 2010. More than 1,600 National Guardmembers are supporting Operation Deepwater Horizon in four Gulf states. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill)