Maryland National Guard Responds to Requests for Additional Support in the Wake of Hurricane Gustav

Press Release

Maryland National Guard Responds to Requests for Additional Support in the Wake of Hurricane Gustav

Three Maryland Air National Guard C-130J's Fly Maryland Army National Guard Aviation Specialists to Affected Region

Governor Martin O'Malley today authorized the deployment of 50 additional Maryland Army National Guard aviation specialists and related equipment to assist the citizens of Louisiana as they begin the recovery phase associated with Hurricane Gustav.

The Citizen-Soldiers, all of whom are members of the Maryland Army National Guard's 29th Aviation Brigade based in Edgewood, Md. departed from Warfield Air National Guard Base at 10 a.m. today on three C-130J cargo transport aircraft operated by the Maryland Air National Guard's 135th Airlift Group. Upon arrival at Baton Rouge, La., the Maryland Guardsmen will provide command and control support for regional aviation operations.

"The State of Maryland, and in particular the Maryland National Guard, continues to stand ready on a moment's notice to support our fellow citizens in the Gulf Coast Region whenever and wherever needed," said Governor O'Malley. "A storm of this magnitude requires specialized response equipment that can be employed rapidly. We're fortunate to have such assets within the Maryland National Guard that can be deployed within hours, and as a result, play a real and meaningful role in helping to save lives and begin relief and recovery efforts."

This latest request is in addition to a request yesterday, also by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, for two Maryland Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and 9 crewmembers. The helicopters are equipped with hoist capability.

On Friday, a CH-47 cargo helicopter and its crew of eight assigned to the Maryland Army National Guard's B Company, 3-126th General Support Aviation Battalion, also based in Edgewood, departed for Louisiana. Since their arrival on Saturday in Louisiana, the Maryland Guard aviators have flown medical evacuation missions in advance of Gustav's landfall as well as other general support missions.

"The Maryland Army and Air Guardsmen who have volunteered to deploy to Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav are true professionals in every sense of the word," said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard. "Many of the deploying Soldiers and Airmen are veterans of both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). As such, they've put their skills to practice many times before. However, being able to provide support to those in need here at home makes this mission even more special. We're pleased to be able to lend a hand when called upon."

In addition to the State of Maryland's response to Hurricane Gustav, state officials continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Hanna, which could impact the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic later this week.

"While we continue to provide support to the State of Louisiana, we also are squarely focused on Hanna and what impact it could have on Maryland as we get further into the week," said Governor O'Malley.

Nearly 450 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the Maryland National Guard are currently serving on active duty in the Global War on Terror. Since Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 8,100 Soldiers and Airmen have been called to support various mobilizations including Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Jump Start and in the relief effort for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

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