Up to 30,000 more Guardsmen being postured for hurricane relief

By Sean Kimmons, Army News ServiceAugust 30, 2017

Up to 30,000 more Guardsmen postured for hurricane relief
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Up to 30,000 more Guardsmen postured for hurricane relief
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Up to 30,000 more Guardsmen postured for hurricane relief
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FORT MEADE, Md. -- Thousands more National Guard members from around the nation are being postured to provide relief after Texas activated its entire Guard force in the wake of devastating Hurricane Harvey.

An additional 20,000 to 30,000 Soldiers and Airmen from states as far away as New York and California could deploy if asked by state officials, Air Force Maj. Gen. James C. Witham, the National Guard's director of domestic operations, told reporters Tuesday.

As the storm continues to dump historic rainfall in parts of Texas and Louisiana -- possibly as much as 50 inches in some areas -- Witham said they foresee states affected by the storm asking for more help in the coming days.

"Just like our first responders get tired and burned out, Guardsmen will also get tired and burned out as we do this," he said. "Our response to this hurricane has been different than anything we've experienced before and we expect it to be much longer."

On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott activated the entire available Texas Guard force -- about 12,000 total -- to assist with ongoing search and rescue and recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast. About 3,000 of the Texas Guard had already been mobilized, along with about 500 from other states. "That [number] will change significantly throughout the next 24 hours," Witham said.

The National Guard Bureau has begun to posture the additional troops, who will likely assist with follow-on capabilities such as route clearance and security during the recovery phase.

"Texas is aware of what we're planning for," he said. "The governor has not yet requested these forces. What we are trying to do is anticipate ... Texas' needs."

Guard members have already helped rescue more than 3,500 people, with about 300 of them saved during helicopter hoist missions that can be technically difficult due to weather and obstructions. Troops have also rescued almost 300 animals.

"It's not only the humans associated with it, but obviously the pets as we continue to alleviate the pain and suffering that the citizens of Texas are experiencing right now," Witham said.

As part of their efforts, Guard units have used more than 500 vehicles, including 200 high-profile vehicles that can drive through 3 feet of water. There are also 30 Guard helicopters on hand, with 24 more en route to Texas. "There's a potential that we could grow up to 100 helicopters," Witham said.

While Harvey, now a tropical storm, churns northeast, the Louisiana Guard has activated about 210 Soldiers and Airmen, with another 230 full-time Guard members, to support efforts there, according to a National Guard Bureau news release.

Guard members, along with high-water vehicles and boats, began to be positioned last week in southern Louisiana parishes, including Calcasieu, Vermillion, and Lafayette. Eight helicopters are also standing by for search and rescue, evacuation and reconnaissance missions.

"In anticipation of the storm's track, we continue pre-positioning equipment and vehicles in potentially affected areas, as well as responding to the immediate needs of today," Army Maj. Gen. Glenn H. Curtis, Louisiana's adjutant general, said in the release.

Back in Texas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started to discharge water Monday from the Addicks and Barker dams in Houston after water levels increased dramatically -- more than half a foot per hour -- in both reservoirs, according to an USACE news release.

"If we don't begin releasing now, the volume of uncontrolled water around the dams will be higher and have a greater impact on the surrounding communities," Col. Lars Zetterstrom, the Galveston District commander, said in the release.

Army Brig. Gen. Patrick Hamilton has also been named a dual status commander to oversee active and Guard military personnel supporting efforts in Texas. The role allows for the unity of command for all Defense Department forces in support of civil authorities, according to Witham.

While Guard members make up most of the military force, U.S. Northern Command has postured over 1,000 active-duty personnel and equipment to provide support if needed.

"We are confident that more forces will be requested," Witham said. "This will be a unity of effort over a sustained period by the entire Department of Defense … to ensure that we can continue to do all those lifesaving and life-sustaining pieces for periods of days, if not weeks, before we're into the recovery mode."

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