SAN DIEGO, Ca. - A patchwork of about 2,000 California National Guard soldiers were alerted to southern California beginning early Monday morning to support local authorities with wildfires.
The 40th Infantry Brigade Combat Team"™s San Diego armory and the nearby Montgomery Airfield served as the main hub for its citizen-soldiers arriving across the state. Troops were then sent out to conduct roving patrols throughout reopened communities and in evacuation sites like the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Qualcomm Stadium.
Sgt. Seth Ladabouche, along with other members of C Troop, 1/18th Cavalry Regiment, out of Azusa, Calif., , patroled communities in the east county. Charred trees and soot-covered buildings were the only marks left, while the handful of Poway hillside homes in the area remained largely unharmed from the fires. Traffic Control Points kept the general public from the homes, and patrolling troops within the communities ensured homes were safe while unattended.
In Del Mar, volunteers worked side-by-side with Guardsmen helping to improve distribution points and set-up cots. The growing evacuation site included a senior citizen home from the Rancho Bernardo area, which later had to be moved to the Balboa Naval Medical Center to better facilitate their needs, according to medical officials. Kevin Reilly, of the Department of Public Health, said through guidance of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II, the California National Guard adjutant general, troops performed the mission better than any drill he had seen.
At Qualcomm Stadium, small groups of military police walked through crowds to keep the peace. During the day when there are many volunteers and activities planned, there remains relative calm. However, MPs said things change at night, especially in the stadium parking lot.
Medics also assisted at Qualcomm, including Sgt. Myesha Britt, of the 40th Military Police Company. She said she was happy to be called to duty for her community.
"As a person, I like to help people," Britt said, who is from San Bernandino. "It inspired me, seeing all the people here helping."
And, just like the people they are helping, some Guardsmen in the area were also affected by the fire. Col. Eric Grimm, the 40th IBCT deputy commander, said so far more than 100 troops were directly affected.
Sgt. Franklin Purcell, also of the 18th CAV, said his wife was given a voluntary evacuation notice and his parent received a mandatory evacuation in Poway. He said when he was initially activated for the fire call-up, he became very stressed. Luckily, as the Santa Ana winds calmed Purcell received word his family was safe.
With the California National Guard activated for the fires and troops still guarding the Mexican border, Grimm said the California National Guard is still prepared to respond to any other state emergency.