Soldiers prepare to depart the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 28, 2012, to support potential emergency operations arising from Hurricane Isaac. The soldiers are assigned to the Louisiana National Guard's 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tarell J. Bilbo
National Guardsmen Serving 'Admirably' During Isaac
By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2012 - As Tropical Depression Isaac bounds northward into the Mississippi River valley, National Guardsmen continue to provide critical support to local emergency officials and citizens throughout the Gulf states, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a briefing here today.
"Even through the storm has moved up from the Gulf, there's still work to be done," Little said. "There are still more than 3,600 National Guard personnel on duty in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama."
Little said Louisiana-Mississippi National Guardsmen are "serving admirably during the storm," and have already rescued or evacuated more than 3,400 citizens during ongoing search and rescue operations.
In addition to delivering pallets of generators, water and supplies to key facilities throughout the state, guardsmen have also set up distribution sites to provide meals, ready-to-eat, water and ice, Little said.
Military aircraft evacuated from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Duke Field, Fla., Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., have returned to base or are in the process of returning to base, Little added.
