An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 30, 2015

Massachusetts National Guard looks at response to New England blizzard

By Army Lt. Col. James Sahady Massachusetts National Guard

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker activated nearly 500 Soldiers and Airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard on Monday in response to a historic January blizzard that dumped three feet of snow in areas of central Massachusetts.

Soldiers and Airmen were called to state active duty to provide support to civil authorities in response to the current winter storm conditions in order to save lives, prevent further injury and protect critical infrastructure. The Massachusetts personnel joined National Guard members from several other states in responding to the threat presented by the blizzard.

Winter Storm Juno pounded Massachusetts with snow and high winds leading to thousands of power outages, especially on Nantucket. About 24 inches of snow was reported in Boston and 36 inches was reported in Auburn and Luneburg. Wind gusts of more than 70 mph were reported Tuesday night on Cape Cod. 

“We have been working in coordination with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to ensure that we respond to the right situation, with the right people and equipment, at the right time,” said Maj. Gen. L. Scott Rice, the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard.

“Our immediate tasks were to develop emergency response plans and evaluate conditions pending specific support tasking from MEMA,” Rice said.

The Guard pre-positioned 40 trucks at 30 different locations in order to conduct transportation of first responders, evacuation of civilians and wellness checks support to civil authorities in areas affected by the blizzard.

The Guard assisted local authorities during the disaster response and rescued and evacuated several people. The main rescue and evacuation missions took place in the towns of Scituate, Hull, Weymouth, Hopkinton and Marshfield. The Guard was staged in several areas throughout the commonwealth, particularly in the coastal communities in anticipation of high tidal surge.

The Massachusetts National Guard’s Task Force Yankee provided command and control of Soldiers, Airmen and equipment from the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 102nd Intelligence Wing, 104th Fighter Wing, 51st Troop Command, 151st Regional Support Group and the 65th Public Affairs Operations Center.

The Guard completed 10 major missions in more than 20 communities. Missions included stranded motor vehicle recovery teams, high water rescue and evacuation teams, shelter operations, emergency roadway clearing, logistical and liaison support, communications and command functions.

Founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on Dec. 13, 1636, the Massachusetts National Guard has provided a trained and ready force, serving the community, the commonwealth, and the nation for 379 years.

 

 

Related Articles
A Security Forces Airman responds to a simulated attack during a field training exercise at Ft. William Henry Harrison, Helena, Mont., June 2, 2025. Security Forces Squadrons from Arizona and Pennsylvania traveled to the Fort for a week of field training. The field instruction consisted of patrol movements, base security, key leader engagements, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives detection response, and simulated attacks from opposition forces.
Arizona and Pennsylvania Air Guards Train Together in Montana
By Tech. Sgt. Jayson Burns, | June 6, 2025
FORT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, Mont. – More than 100 security forces Airmen from Arizona and Pennsylvania conducted five days of joint annual training in Helena, Montana, June 2-6.The defenders from the 161st Air Refueling...

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Maritza Garcia, 154th Medical Group Detachment 1 medic and Tactical Combat Casualty Care instructor, evaluates Armed Forces of the Philippines students during a medical field training exercise May 29, 2025, at Camp O’Donnell, Philippines. The training emphasized rapid response and effective medical treatment in high-pressure environments.
Hawaii Guard, Philippine Armed Forces Unite for Medical Exchange
By Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier, | June 6, 2025
CAMP O’DONNELL, Philippines - Hawaii National Guard medical professionals completed their fourth annual Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) exchange with partners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp...

Service members from the Maine National Guard, Vermont National Guard, Armed Forces of Montenegro, and the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia pose for a group photo before beginning a cyber training exercise during Immediate Response 25 at Golubovci Air Base, Montenegro, June 2, 2025. The cyber exercise was developed and facilitated as a combined effort between the Maine National Guard and the Armed Forces of Montenegro through the State Partnership Program (SPP). The Vermont National Guard and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, SPP partners since 1993, also participated in the exercise.
Guardsmen, Montenegro, North Macedonia Strengthen Cyber Capabilities at Immediate Response 25
By 2nd Lt. Paige Bodine and David Kennedy, | June 6, 2025
PODGORICA, Montenegro — Nearly three years after a sweeping cyberattack disrupted Montenegro’s government networks, the country has taken a powerful step forward in strengthening its digital defenses by hosting its largest...