BOGALUSA, La. – More than 500 Louisiana National Guard members deployed to Florida to join forces with over 20 states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and respond to Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in the state Oct. 9.
The LANG initially deployed two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters with eight Guardsmen from Army Aviation Support Facility #2 in Pineville, Louisiana, Oct. 8 to stage near Tallahassee ahead of the storm. These assets were positioned for rapid aerial search and rescue operations. The aviation crews logged over 15 flight hours along the coast, completing operations Oct. 11.
“As Soldiers from Louisiana, we understand the immense challenges of hurricane response and are always eager to support our neighbors,” said Capt. David Carroll, a LANG aviator. “Deploying our UH-60 Black Hawks to assist in Florida’s recovery efforts not only allowed us to help but also demonstrated our unit’s rapid readiness for state and federal missions.”
Following the two aviation teams, the LANG activated approximately 500 from the 225th Engineer Brigade. On Oct. 10, the engineers loaded vehicles, dump trucks, front-end loaders and high-mobility engineer excavators and drove 660 miles to Tampa International Airport. Along the route, they stayed at Camp Bull Simons, home of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), before proceeding to Camp Blanding, where they received briefings from the Florida National Guard ahead of their mission.
“The 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) provided us with an immaculate and hospitable rest overnight site, giving us a place to sleep, eat and refuel to continue our mission toward the affected area,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Hollis J. Bennett Jr., senior enlisted leader for the 205th Engineer Battalion, 225th EN BDE.
The LANG engineers spent seven days working with the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the Florida Department of Transportation clearing over 500 miles of roads in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.
“The Louisiana National Guard’s motto is ‘Protect What Matters,’ and responses like these demonstrate that we are here to help not only the citizens of our state but also those of other states when called upon,” said Bennett. “This support helps communities get back to their regular lives after an all-hazard event while allowing our Soldiers to take pride in their roles as Citizen-Soldiers.”
The LANG also sent 68 Guardsmen and 30 military vehicles from the 139th Regional Support Group. While in Tampa, Soldiers with the 139th RSG completed transported troops across Florida and worked at warehouses where baby food, cleaning products, diapers and food were distributed.
Upon completion, the LANG engineer and transportation units headed home, stopping again at Camp Blanding and Camp Bull Simons. While in Camp Blanding, Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, adjutant general of Florida, and Command Sgt. Maj. James B. Kendrick, command senior enlisted leader of the Florida National Guard, thanked them for their support and presented select Soldiers with the Florida adjutant general’s coin.
“It really means a lot; Florida has often sent Guardsmen to Louisiana when you needed us, and that’s what we do,” said Haas. “We appreciate your service. It’s important and is what makes being in the Guard so special. We are always confident when we bring fellow Guard units into Florida to help us out. We’re proud to have you here.”