Mississippi – (Queen City Newsfeed) – Approximately 31 Soldiers and Airmen from the Mississippi National Guard (MSNG) have deployed to assist in emergency response missions in South Carolina and Florida following Hurricane Helene. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves approved the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request as the storm progressed through Florida and into the Carolinas.
“We’ll do whatever we can to assist our fellow Americans in their time of need,” Gov. Reeves said in response to the EMAC request. “Keep them in your prayers!”
Maj. Gen. Bobby M. Ginn Jr., the adjutant general of Mississippi, emphasized the readiness of the MSNG, noting that its members are always prepared for both military and emergency response operations.
“Our Soldiers and Airmen are always training for emergency response missions along with their military readiness training,” Ginn said. “The talented Soldiers and Airmen of the Mississippi National Guard stand ready to support our neighbors in Florida and South Carolina with lifesaving resources for transportation of vital search and rescue teams in Florida and debris removal missions in South Carolina.”
Members of the 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered in Jackson, deployed to Tallahassee, Florida, on September 27, 2024, to support relief and recovery operations. This aviation response team, consisting of 18 Soldiers, aviators, and crewmen, utilized two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter to assist in the hurricane response. They flew approximately 20 hours, transporting search and rescue team members to the hardest-hit areas in Tampa the day after the storm. The team returned home safely on September 28, 2024.
Additionally, 13 Airmen from the Meridian-based Civil Engineer Squadron, part of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, deployed on October 2, 2024, to aid in Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Their mission involves clearing debris in remote areas to facilitate access for first responders and emergency personnel assisting citizens affected by the storm.
“The Mississippi National Guard received a request for assistance from the South Carolina Emergency Management Division to assist with the clearing of debris from roadways throughout the northwestern area of the state and to assist in the restoration of essential services,” said Col. Jeremy Parker, director of military support for the Mississippi National Guard. “With less than 36 hours notification, the 186th Civil Engineering Squadron has rapidly mobilized and deployed a debris clearance team to Greenville, South Carolina, to assist emergency management officials.”
The 186th Civil Engineer Squadron specializes in utilities, infrastructure, and construction projects and provides its own maintenance support for the team and equipment involved in the operations.
“Our part-time Airmen didn’t hesitate to volunteer alongside other Guardsmen for this important recovery effort,” said Col. Cynthia Smith, commander of the 186th Air Refueling Wing. “We are proud to serve both our community and country when called upon.”
The Mississippi National Guard comprises approximately 12,500 Soldiers and Airmen dedicated to serving the state and the nation. For more information, visit Mississippi National Guard’s website.
Story by: Lt. Col. Deidre D. Smith
Thirteen Airmen from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 186th Air Refueling Wing, Civil Engineer
Squadron deployed from Meridian, Mississippi to Greenville, South Carolina in support of hurricane
response and relief efforts. Their mission is to remove storm debris in remote and hard-to-access
locations allowing quick access for first responders and emergency personnel to render aid to
citizens impacted by this deadly storm. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Justin R.
Brown)
Col. Cynthia Smith, commander of the Meridian-based 186th Air Refueling Wing, Mississippi Air
National Guard, shared words of encouragement as 13 members of the 186th Civil Engineer
Squadron deployed to Greenville, South Carolina in support of hurricane response and relief efforts.
Their mission is to remove storm debris in remote and hard-to-access locations clearing the roads
for first responders and emergency personnel to render lifesaving aid to citizens impacted by
Hurricane Helene. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Justin R. Brown)
Thirteen Airmen from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 186th Air Refueling Wing, Civil Engineer
Squadron deployed from Meridian, Mississippi to Greenville, South Carolina in support of hurricane
response and relief efforts. Their mission is to remove storm debris in remote and hard-to-access
locations allowing quick access for first responders and emergency personnel to render aid to
citizens impacted by this deadly storm. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Justin R.
Brown)
Thirteen Airmen from the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 186th Air Refueling Wing, Civil Engineer
Squadron deployed from Meridian, Mississippi to Greenville, South Carolina in support of hurricane
response and relief efforts. Their mission is to remove storm debris in remote and hard-to-access
locations allowing quick access for first responders and emergency personnel to render aid to
citizens impacted by this deadly storm. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Justin R.
Brown)
Members of the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade,
headquartered in Jackson, deployed to Tallahassee, Florida, Sept. 27, 2024, in preparation for relief
and recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The Mississippi National Guard
aviation response team consisted of 18 soldiers, aviators, and crewmen, flying two UH-60
Blackhawks and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter to aide in hurricane response missions. The team
flew approximately 20 hours transporting search and rescue team members to the hardest hit areas
in Tampa the day after the storm swept through Florida. MSNG aviators completed their mission in
Florida and returned home safely, Saturday, Sept. 28. 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo
courtesy of the MSNG 185th ECAB)
Members of the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade,
headquartered in Jackson, deployed to Tallahassee, Florida, Sept. 27, 2024, in preparation for relief
and recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The Mississippi National Guard
aviation response team consisted of 18 soldiers, aviators, and crewmen, flying two UH-60
Blackhawks and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter to aide in the hurricane response missions. The
team flew approximately 20 hours transporting search and rescue team members to the hardest hit
areas in Tampa the day after the storm. MSNG aviators completed their mission in Florida and
returned home safely, Saturday, Sept. 28. 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of the
MSNG 185th ESC)
Members of the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 185th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade,
headquartered in Jackson, deployed to Tallahassee, Florida, Sept. 27, 2024, in preparation for relief
and recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The Mississippi National Guard
aviation response team consisted of 18 soldiers, aviators, and crewmen, flying two UH-60
Blackhawks and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter to aide in the hurricane response missions. The
team flew approximately 20 hours transporting search and rescue team members to the hardest hit
areas in Tampa the day after the storm. MSNG aviators completed their mission in Florida and
returned home safely, Saturday, Sept. 28. 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo courtesy of the
MSNG 185th ESC)
