WEST LIBERTY, Ky. - Kentucky National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen converged on the remains of West Liberty, Ky., March 3, to assist local fire and law enforcement in recovery and relief efforts, in the wake of the series of tornadoes that ripped through the state that day.
Soldiers from the Morehead, Ky.,-based 301st Chemical Company arrived on the scene Friday, hours after the tornado flattened the town, and assisted local officials with the evacuation of the citizens. On Friday, the operation changed to search and rescue.
Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Michael Dement, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with the 301st, said that his team's mission was to cordon off the city, maintain control and to get accountability of the citizens in West Liberty.
"The look on people's faces when they see they've lost everything they own tugs at you," he said.
Kentucky Air Guardsman Tech. Sgt. Harold Baker, a medic with the 165th Airwing Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Expeditionary Response Force Package, said the damage done to the city was some of the worst he had ever seen.
Approximately 70 Kentucky Guard members from across the Commonwealth mobilized to support the citizens of West Liberty.