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
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Arkansas National Guard helps its neighbors after fierce tornado sweeps area By Lt. Col. Keith Moore
                Arkansas National Guard
 UPDATE: As of Tuesday morning, tornadoes swept through more southern states, triggering emergency declarations. In Mississippi, the state National Guard deployed 100 Soldiers who are assisting local authorities with search and rescue, security checkpoints and presence patrols. The MSNG will assist with damage assessment Tuesday, using UH-72 Lakota helicopters and a C-26 aircraft. In Tennessee, where a tornado touched down near Fayetteville, 20 Army National Guard personnel who were on annual training were assigned to assist. In Alabama, Gov. Robert Bentley mobilized 100 National Guard members for standby in case they're needed because of severe weather.  VILONIA, Ark. - The response role for the Arkansas National Guard continued to expand Monday after a deadly tornado swept through the central Arkansas communities of Mayflower and Vilonia. News media reports said at least 18 people died in the fierce storms that swept the area. In addition to the 54 Soldiers called to state active duty overnight to assist local authorities with traffic control, search and rescue, and medical evacuation, an additional six Guard members were tasked early this morning to deliver several fresh water trailers to support the needs of local residents and the vast number of volunteers. The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management also passed a request from the Faulkner County Judge for the National Guard to provide a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and crew to conduct low-level aerial search over the shore line of Lake Conway and through the wooded areas in the path of the storm for additional victims of the storm. Initially, 46 members of the Arkansas National Guard were called to state active duty to assist local authorities in the hard hit communities. That first call-out and subsequent responses from Guard members brought the grim realization that numerous Guardsmen and their family members were directly impacted. Within the first few hours following the storm, both Army and Air National Guard members began to check in with their commanders and on each other – neighbor-to-neighbor. The Arkansas National Guard confirmed that one member perished when the tornado struck the community of Vilonia. The name is being withheld awaiting full notification of next-of-kin. Additionally, dozens of Guard members’ homes were damaged or destroyed, and an unconfirmed number of family members were injured or hospitalized. Despite these difficult circumstances over 50 Guard members from the central Arkansas area responded to the call to help their neighbors, friends and fellow Guard families in need. Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe summed up the situation in a 10 a.m. press conference in the community of Mayflower. “These are Arkansans helping Arkansans, like they always do. Neighbor helping neighbor in a time of need.” Beebe made note that multiple state agencies, nearby communities and a large number of civilian volunteers have responded to help. From a national perspective, Beebe indicated that the federal government pledged to make resources available to help in the recovery and rebuilding of the devastated communities. The Arkansas National Guard has 59 personnel, 24 vehicles and one UH-60 helicopter supporting the ongoing operations. Units supporting these missions are the 87th Troop Command, the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 77th Theater Aviation Brigade – all from the central Arkansas area.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 National Guard renders aid after tornado
 Tornado response - flickr gallery
  Tornado survival tips
 
 NY Army Guard Band Performs for Netherlands King and Queen
 By Eric Durr,
  Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Caila Arahood and Senior Airman Victoria Coursey,
  Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise
 By Tech. Sgt. John Linzmeier,
  More
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • 9 hours ago
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • 10 hours ago
 National Guard, US Army North, FEMA Train for Hurricane Response Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Cal Air Guard F-15 Pilots Train with Marine Corps F-35 Pilots Guard News • 12 hours ago
 Tennessee Guard Rescues Hiker in Great Smoky Mountains Park Guard News • 3 days ago
 2024 (193)  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