Pennsylvania National Guard sends aircraft, crew to support Irma response

By Maj. Angela King-SweigartSeptember 13, 2017

Pennsylvania National Guard sends aircraft, crew to support Irma response
A Pennsylvania National Guard CH-47 Chinook and crew members repositioned from their Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts in Texas, rest at the Air National Guard Base in Gulfport, Mississippi Sept. 9 before moving forward to assist in the response effo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- More than 40 Pennsylvania National Guard members and four CH-47 Chinook helicopters are currently assisting with the response to Hurricane Irma.

Two CH-47 Chinooks and crew members that were previously used in Hurricane Harvey response efforts in Texas were repositioned over the weekend to be used in the Hurricane Irma response. Two additional CH-47 Chinook aircraft and crew members departed Pennsylvania to join the effort in Florida.

The aircraft and crew will integrate with thousands of National Guard members and first responder's onsite. Potential missions for the aircraft and crew include delivering items like food and water to stranded citizens and providing emergency transportation for those needing to evacuate.

Additional Pennsylvania National Guard members are on duty at PA's joint emergency operations center, where they provide planning and coordination support. The center maintains continuous communications with National Guard Bureau and PEMA in order to anticipate future requirements that could be assigned to Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers and Airmen.

"We're proud of our Guardsmen as they operate the heavy lift Chinook helicopters," said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general, "these assets provide a lifeline to communities that may otherwise be cut off due to storm damage. This is what we train for; this is why America has a National Guard."

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