SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Puerto Rico Army National Guard is set to send two helicopters and crews to the Dominican Republic to aid in the relief mission following Tropical Storm Noel.
The international mission, approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, is expected to start Nov. 3 and will last for approximately five days. The Puerto Rico Guard mission will support the United States Southern Command.
Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and 12 Army Guard pilots and aviation mechanics will take part in the operation.
The Puerto Rico National Guard is highly trained and capable to provide this humanitarian assistance to the Dominican Republic, officials said.
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are bonded by the National Guard's State Partnership Program, so Puerto Rico Guard Soldiers are familiar with the island. They can fly to the country in less than two hours.
Furthermore, the Puerto Rico Guard was in charge of the 2006 New Horizons mission which provided medical clinics and construction of facilities in the Dominican Republic's Barahona district which was hit by the tropical storm.