FORT HARRISON, Mont. – Montana Army National Guard helicopter crews rescued dozens of flood victims this week.
At the request of local officials, the Montana National Guard continues to assist with search and rescue operations due to significant flooding in South Central Montana. In addition, 16 National Guard members were activated June 15 to staff seven road checkpoints to help with the safety of travelers in the Red Lodge area.
Since June 13, Montana Army National Guard helicopter crews have rescued 87 people and flown more than 41 hours in support of search and rescue operations. Starting at 2:45 p.m. June 13, the Guard began receiving requests to rescue stranded civilians using military aircraft with hoist capability. Two helicopters were dispatched to assist.
The first helicopter rescued two people in Roscoe and two people in Fromberg. The second helicopter recovered eight people in Cooke City.
After these missions, the Guard positioned the two aircraft in Billings to prepare for any follow-on missions. Two additional helicopters joined them.
On June 14, the Guard received the third request, to assist with a search and rescue near East Rosebud Lake.
The Montana National Guard also sent a group of Soldiers to Red Lodge to establish a command center to help coordinate search and rescue activity in the region.
Additional deployments of helicopter and ground support were possible.
The Montana National Guard can assist at the request of and in support of local and state partners.