HARTFORD, Conn. — North Carolina is requesting further assistance with Hurricane Helene disaster relief, and Connecticut is preparing to deliver.
The Office of Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday afternoon said that the Connecticut National Guard is planning to send additional resources to North Carolina.
The Connecticut National Guard’s Bravo Company, 2-104th Aviation, 1-169th Aviation Regiment will send one more CH-47 Chinook helicopter, one UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter and an aircrew of 16 soldiers to Salisbury, N.C. to aid in the effort of moving resources to stranded communities in the state’s western region.
Lamont’s office said the two helicopters and their aircrews are scheduled to embark from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks on Friday morning. It is expected they will be deployed for around one week.
Last week, two other National Guard teams deployed from Connecticut to North Carolina, including a five-soldier flight crew and one CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the Connecticut National Guard’s 1-169th Aviation Regiment and an eight-member urban search and rescue team steered by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Both teams deployed last Friday, Sept. 27.
Lamont said Connecticut is prepared to lead by example and deliver assistance to neighbors in need during this difficult time.
“The soldiers from the Connecticut National Guard have always been ready to respond to any crisis here in our state whenever the need arises, and I am very thankful that they have accepted this mission to help our friends in North Carolina. I look forward to their safe return,” Lamont said.
Major Gen. Francis Evon, commander of the Connecticut National Guard, extends his deepest thanks to the soldiers of Bravo Company, 2-104th Aviation, 1-169th Aviation Regiment, who have been assisting the residents and first responders of North Carolina over the past week. He credited their hard work and dedication to providing disaster relief.
“Their courage and commitment in the face of adversity have made a true difference for those in need, and I couldn’t be more proud of what they have accomplished,” Evon said. “As we send two more aircraft and additional soldiers to North Carolina for further assistance, I have full confidence that the Connecticut National Guard will continue to have a significant positive impact on the hurricane relief and recovery efforts.”
Evon added that the selfless service of Connecticut’s Guardsmen is a testament to the strength and resilience of the state’s Home Team. He thanks each man and woman for their unwavering dedication to the mission and country.
According to Lamont’s office, the unit is deploying under the authorization of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual aid system among states and territories that exists for lifesaving resources during natural and man-made disasters. The system in Connecticut is implemented by the state’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security on behalf of Lamont.
The mission of the 1-169th Aviation Regiment is to mobilize and deploy to conduct Air Movement, Air Assault, MEDEVAC, Combat Support and Combat Service Support in Aviation operations through the designated area of responsibility, Lamont’s office says.
The unit is stationed in Windsor Locks at the Army Aviation Support Facility and most recently returned from a mission in Afghanistan in 2019-2020.
----
Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.
