Fort Riley aviators deploy to support flood relief efforts

Six helicopters from the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade left Fort Riley, Kansas, over the weekend to join the flood relief mission along the Red River in eastern North Dakota. The Department of Defense assistance to North Dakota's responders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency is led by a Defense Coordinating Element of U.S. Army North. The helicopter task force provides specialized assistance from Army forces that stand ready to assist American's in need when crises strike the homeland. "We're prepared to do whatever NORTHCOM wants us to do," Prather said. "It's an honor to assist our fellow Americans however we can." Multiple crews for each helicopter and several mechanics deployed to make sure the helicopters can fly around the clock. Most of the soldiers had less than 12 hours notice to prepare for the mission. "I had maybe an hour's notice after getting out of work Friday," said Chinook mechanic Sgt. Marshall Wallace. "They called me and I came back in to work on the helicopters, getting them ready, and now I'm here ready to go. "I've got three combat tours, but this is my first humanitarian mission," Wallace added. "It's something new, something I look forward to. The people out there need help, so we're going to help them out." So many soldiers volunteered for the mission, that some had to be turned away. Sgt. Vito McMillan considers himself lucky to take part. "One of my NCOs said he's been in the Army 20 years and never got a chance to take part in something like this, so I'm excited," McMillan said. Despite the enthusiasm to depart, Mother Nature had other plans as Fort Riley weathered its worst snowstorm of the year Saturday. The two Black Hawk helicopters made it out during a break in the weather Saturday afternoon, but as snowplows worked to clear strips large enough for the Chinooks, it became clear that their mission would have to wait until Sunday. The soldiers trudged back to their cars and went home for some rest, before returning early Sunday morning. The helicopters took off without incident and arrived in North Dakota Sunday afternoon. The task force from Fort Riley will be based out of Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Leaders expect the mission to last for one to two weeks, but are prepared to stay for more than a month if necessary.