Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Texas Guard Aviators responded to flooded areas By 1st Lt. James M. Campbell
                Texas National Guard Public Affairs
 BURNET, Texas - Thursday's rescue by two Black Hawk helicopters unfolded with their preparations at the Austin Army Aviation Support Facility (AAASF). The crew loaded rescue hoists and conducted pre-flight checks and flew to the airport in Burnet.  Then, as aviators-on-call often do, they sat, talked and sipped sodas until it was time to spring into action. On orders from Gov. Rick Perry, units from the Texas Army National Guard positioned themselves on the perimeter of the weather system. "We have about 13,000-14,000 square miles of the state that are affected by the rain," said the governor's Division of Emergency Management chief of staff, Jack Colley, in a telephone interview. It was decided to bring in the Texas Army National Guard aviators and Task Force One, Urban Search and Rescue Teams. "This is a wonderful opportunity for our personnel and the Guardsmen to work together to provide search and rescue assistance to the general populous," said the team's Kenneth Larson. This would not be the first time this week that the teams conducted search and rescue missions.  On Wednesday, Guardsmen and Texas Task Force One members assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety in evacuating 14 people and three dogs from Smithwick, a small community about eight miles east of Marble Falls.  Constant rainfall and rising water washed out the roads and prohibited ground evacuation. "There was a group of people in an isolated area just below the dam near Marble Falls," said Black Hawk aviator Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gale. "We received a call and were able to pick everybody up and drop them off at the Marble Falls Middle School." Thursday, during the flight to Burnet, crew members and aviators were able to spot flooded areas and washed-out roads that weren't apparent the day before.  As they landed and disembarked, the Guardsmen were greeted by members of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.  Both agencies have helicopters as well, but having the Guard nearby increased their evacuation response time. "The Guard helps us tremendously in these isolated communities that are cut off by water," said Capt. Malcolm Welch of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Many times the Guard is the only way we can get a lot of people out." Toward the end of the day, the Guardsmen were dispatched to a secluded area in Burnet County where cars were stranded near a flooded road.  As they landed, the crew chief exited the helicopter and directed a family of six adults, two children and a family pet into the confines of the Black Hawk.  A crew member buckled the family in for safety and within a matter of minutes, everyone was high and dry above Burnet airport. After the evacuation, the helicopters made their way back to Austin for daily maintenance. More than likely, these same birds will be called to assist in the same county before long, but for now the crew could rest. "The National Guard, since day one, has been able to bring many resources to help with fires, hurricanes or floods," said Chief Warrant Officer Michael Phillips of the AAASF. "It's our job; it's what we do." *Chief Master Sgt. Gonda Moncada contributed to this story*.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 5 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 13 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil