National Guard

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2007 – While President Bush toured the site of a deadly tornado in Kansas today, the National Guard continues to demonstrate its readiness as it responds to natural disasters from coast to coast.    » read more »

May 09, 2007 -- This week, the Army and Air Force announced an increase, while the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard numbers decreased. The net collective result is 1,063 more reservists mobilized than last week.    » read more »

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (5/8/2007) - The Florida National Guard has more than 9,000 Soldiers and Airmen, along with sufficient equipment, to effectively respond to emergencies as directed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The Florida National Guard greatly appreciates the efforts of our elected officials being so instrumental in getting the equipment we need for combat operations, before and now, and in-turn having sufficient equipment for emergency operations in Florida.    » read more »

PALM COAST, Fla. (May 6) -- A bucket may not seem sufficient to fight a fire like the one that ravaged thousands of acres in three central Florida counties recently, but a bucket that holds more than 600 gallons of water can put out some flames, especially when dropped atop the blaze from a helicopter.

"You can’t put a fire out with helicopters, but you can knock it down," said Timber Weller, Public Information Officer for the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF).    » read more »

More than 100 Citizen-Soldiers of the Missouri National Guard are assisting, or ready to assist, communities in flood response efforts. Forty Soldiers have been working overnight in Craig, helping to protect a water plant there. An additional 60 Soldiers are mustering at Lexington and Richmond, in order to be a quick reaction force for any communities in need.

"As always, these Soldiers are anxious to help their neighbors through this crisis," said Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard.    » read more »

Emergency Management agencies prepare to rebuild Greensburg

(5/9/2007) - Residents of Greensburg are preparing for a visit from President George W. Bush on Wednesday, May 9. The President signed a federal disaster declaration for Kiowa County on May 6 at the request of Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

At the same time, local, state, and federal officials in Kiowa County are developing short-term and long-term plans to recover from the May 5 tornado and rebuild the town of Greensburg.    » read more »

Equipment has been depleted as units are deployed overseas

May 8, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today sent the following letter to President Bush requesting that he ensure that the National Guard has the resources necessary to respond to domestic emergencies and disasters:

The text of the letter is below:

Dear President Bush:    » read more »

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2007 – More than 300 members of the Kansas National Guard have been activated in response to a powerful tornado that almost destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kan., May 4.

Guard members are assisting in search-and-rescue efforts in the wake of the tornado, which was classified as an F-5, the highest rating given by the National Weather Service.

The tornado wiped out much of the small town, knocking out power, water, natural gas and communications. To date, 10 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been reported.    » read more »

May 7, 2007 -- Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today issued an emergency executive order that authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to be available to assist in firefighting efforts in Northern Minnesota.

The following is the text of the Governor’s official order:

EMERGENCY EXECUTIVE ORDER 07-05
PROVIDING FOR FIRE SUPPRESSION ASSISTANCE
TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES    » read more »

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 4, 2007 – Seven Sunshine State employers of National Guardsmen and reservists were honored for exemplary support of their employees during a Defense Department-hosted award ceremony here yesterday.    » read more »

May 4, 2007 -- AUGUSTA – Standing with an impressive group of veterans, activists and lawmakers, Maine Governor John Baldacci unveiled today ground-breaking legislation that will help safeguard the health of members of the Maine National Guard.

“It was a tragedy almost a year ago that started us down the path toward today. But it is not tragedy or sadness that keeps us going and keeps us working,” Governor Baldacci said. “Instead, it is hope that we can – all of us – come together and find the answers to make things better.”    » read more »

Soldiers from Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Upper Peninsula

May 2, 2007 -- LANSING, Mich. - The 177th Military Police Brigade, Michigan Army National Guard in Taylor, Mich., will deploy nearly 70 Guardsmen on Saturday in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Already on military orders and packing at the armory, the deploying soldiers will depart Saturday to meet up with members of the 177th at Fort Bliss, Texas, where the unit will complete soldier readiness processing before deploying to Iraq.    » read more »

May 02, 2007 -- This week, the Air Force and Coast Guard announced an increase, while the Army, Navy and Marine Corps numbers decreased. The net collective result is 54 more reservists mobilized than last week.    » read more »

April 24, 2007 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter this evening activated the Colorado National Guard to assist with the recovery of three buses and dozens of other motorists stranded in eastern El Paso County from heavy snow and high winds of up to 60 mph.    » read more »