Nashville, TN – Soldiers and Airmen across Tennessee are preparing for a possible activation of National Guard troops, facilities, and equipment in response to the potential landfall of Hurricane Irene.
“We were contacted by National Guard Bureau Wednesday to determine what resources we can provide should the hurricane move inland along the East Coast,” said Brig. Gen. Robert Harris, Tennessee’s Assistant Adjutant General-Army.
UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Guard’s 1/230th Air Cavalry Squadron, headquartered in Smyrna, are preparing to fly to North Carolina as early as Saturday. The aircraft will augment the North Carolina National Guard by supporting rescue and recovery operations.Military aircraft from coastal bases along the hurricane’s path started arriving at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base and Army Aviation Support Facility # 2 in Knoxville (Maryville) on Thursday, and the Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Smyrna and Berry Field Air National Guard Base in Nashville on Friday.
“We stand ready to assist however needed,” said Harris.