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
 Florida Guardsmen credit training for success with Tropical Storm Fay missions By Spc. Andrew Hillegass
                107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
 OSTEEN, Fla. - As Tropical Storm Fay moved into the Gulf of Mexico this week, the Florida National Guard continued its assistance in the central part of the state by helping search and rescue teams (SRT) traverse flooded areas and roadways. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment's Forward Support Company, provided high-water vehicle transportation that allowed SRTs to reach homes that had been cut-off by washed-out and submerged roadways in the wake of Fay's record breaking rainfall. With the state seeing more than its fair share of tropical systems over the last four years, the Guard has been actively involved in recovery efforts; however, each system can bring with it a new set of challenges. In order to deal with these obstacles, Soldiers received Defense Support of Civilian Authorities (DSCA) training to coincide with their annual warrior task training they complete on a yearly basis in order to prepare them for disaster deployment. Capt. Craig Henson, commander of the Forward Support Company, said the training has made a difference: "From search and rescue, to distributing ice and water or even conducting presence patrols, we make sure that our Soldiers are prepared before they deploy." Civilian authorities have relied on the Guard to assist with natural disaster recovery from Hurricane Andrew in 1992 to Katrina in 2005. Some Soldiers, such as Sgt. William Graham, who spent 12 years in Marine Corps before joining the Guard, has seen more than their fare share of storms. "I can remember in 1995 responding to the panhandle for Hurricane Opal and feeling good about the Guard being there to help the citizens," said Graham. Graham says he has seen the improvement through the years in not just the equipment, but also the personnel: "I think that compared to '95 we are better equipped and have better reaction to these types of storms now, especially with what we went through in 2004 and 2005." The Soldiers do not rely exclusively on their DCSA training they have received; many have been able to apply their military training from previous deployments for use in relief operations here at the state level. "Some of the military training that we receive on the Soldier side also carries over into missions like when we have go into urban areas and evacuate people or focus on a more humanitarian mission," said Graham. These citizen-Soldiers also bring some of their personal work experience to the missions in addition to their training. "The great thing about the Guard is that we bring a lot of different skills to the table. From firefighters to police to mechanics, we have it all," said Henson. Henson, himself a veteran the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season, also added: "I think the thing that has helped us out the most with operations like this is the lessons learned from past years, because now we know what we need to accomplish and what is expected of me and my Soldiers."
 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 • 12 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