Georgia Army, Air Guardsmen help Augusta residents in wake of Winter Storm Pax

By Staff Sgt. Richard HoldridgeFebruary 14, 2014

Uniformed escort
1 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Matthew Wainwright, of Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, carries 21-month old Parris into a shelter at the Glenn Hills (Ga.,) Baptist Church during a mission to evacuate a family from their home which lost power an... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Moving to safety
2 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Master Sgt. Jorge Chavez (right) and Staff Sgt. Matthew Wainwright, both with the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, help a family evacuate from their home after it lost power and heat during Winter Storm Pax. The guardsmen transported t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The Georgia Guard arrives
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Secure for transport
4 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Matthew Wainwright (left) and Master Sgt. Jorge Chavez, both of Savannah's 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, secure 4-month-old Dakota into a Humvee during a mission to evacuate her family from their home which lost power and... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
It's getting icy
5 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Frozen ice crystals cling to the front bumper of a Georgia National Guard Humvee parked inside the motor pool at the 878th Engineer Battalion Readiness Center in Augusta, Ga. Guardsmen with the 165th Airlift Wing, Georgia Air National Guard prepare t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint Response On I-20
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Georgia Guard assists stranded motorists
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To your vehicles!
8 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Georgia National Guardsmen with the Savannah-based 165th Air Support Operations Squadron, Georgia Air National Guard, run to staged vehicles at the 878th Engineer Battalion Readiness Center in Augusta, in preparation for their upcoming mission to pro... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ice on Interstate 20
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Fueling the Response
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Guardsmen Transporting Healthcare Professionals
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AUGUSTA, Ga. (Feb. 13, 2014) -- Georgia Army and Air National Guardsmen joined forces in Augusta to assist local responders during Winter Storm Pax. More than 80 Georgia Air National Guardsmen from Savannah's 165th Air Support Operations Squadron joined Army National Guardsmen of the 878th Engineering Battalion in a cooperative effort.

The 165th Air Support Operations Squadron conducted route reconnaissance and route clearance missions, removing more than 20 downed trees from the roads. The Airmen also transported several citizens from their homes to nearby shelter and transported key local agency personnel to critical work sites.

"Our mission was to patrol the Interstate 20 corridor to identify motorists in need [of help] and [to] render assistance." said Maj. Nicholas Anthony, the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron team officer in charge.

The Soldiers and Airmen operated in an area encompassing Augusta, Elberton, Monroe and Athens. They were part of a statewide effort involving more than 1,000 Georgia Guardsmen and Georgia State Defense force personnel operating from 150 vehicles.

The ice storm left many residents without power and heat. Several vehicles were stuck in ditches throughout the city, and Guardsmen used their tactical vehicles to pull the cars out. A couple who live near the Augusta armory was provided shelter, warmth and a hot meal by an 878th Engineer Battalion Soldier who had only recently returned from Afghanistan.

"I just want to tell the Georgia Guard 'thank you,'" said Augusta resident Paige McDaniels after members of the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron transported her and her three grandchildren to a local church that provided shelter to families in need. "The Guard did an awesome job. I appreciate it."

Related Links:

Army.mil: U.S. Army Humanitarian Relief - Snowstorms

Army.mil: National Guard News

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