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Press Release | Sept. 17, 2018

U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND PROVIDES VITAL MILITARY CAPABILTIIES

U.S. Northern Command Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  –  

U.S. Northern Command, along with its component and subordinate commands, National Guard, and Department of Defense partners, continue providing critical search and rescue capabilities to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local responders in areas affected by Hurricane Florence.

As flood waters continue to rise, critical military capabilities such as high-water vehicles and aviation assets are assisting first responders with rescues as well as identifying infrastructure damage in the affected areas.

"I would like to highlight the incredible work that is being done by the state and local first responders. We are postured well with FEMA to continue to apply Department of Defense support and although we have many challenges to come, we think we are well-postured for those challenges," said General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of U.S. Northern Command.

Close coordination with first responders in key areas will be critical over the next several days and weeks.

"The Department of Defense, in collaboration with FEMA, is ready to respond to any needs that our state and local partners may have," said Gen. O’Shaughnessy. "As the situation progresses, we anticipate having a role in the search and rescue efforts; as our high water vehicles, swift water boats, and vertical lift assets offer a robust capability in an environment with extreme flooding. As we have leaned forward with these assets, we are ready to respond at a moment’s notice."

Below is an updated summary of DOD support to FEMA, state and local partners as of September 16, 2018:

• There are currently more than 13,000 DOD personnel deployed to the affected areas to support hurricane relief efforts. The specific numbers continue to change day to day as our force structure fluctuates.

• Two airborne early warning radar and surveillance aircraft, which were flying in support of our ongoing homeland defense mission, were tasked to assess bridges, roads and other infrastructure to assist the DOD and its partners to plan and prioritize flood relief efforts.

• The United States Navy has ships off the east coast with Marine MV-22 Osprey, wing and other rotary aircraft prepared to launch and provide assistance.

• The North Carolina National Guard has conducted hurricane relief operations in 22 counties to include: 20 life and safety missions, 15 search and rescues, and shelter support.

• The North Carolina National Guard launched two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters to assist a search and rescue mission near Kinston, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 15. The HH-60 possesses forward looking infrared capability that greatly enhances nighttime operations and can detect body heat to locate people stranded by rising water.

• The South Carolina National Guard has conducted 33 missions in 25 locations in support of law enforcement organizations, as well as transporting cots, blankets and providing security support to FEMA shelters.

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has pre-positioned 132 generators, with an additional 116 en route to provide temporary emergency power support.

• USACE contractors installed temporary power to a Hoke County water treatment facility in Raeford, N.C., Sept. 15. The facility treats approximately 200,000 gallons of water which provides more than 500 county residents with potable drinking water.

• South Carolina National Guard and USACE are coordinating to assist flood mitigation emergency operations in partnership with state and local officials. They will place super sandbags to protect the 501 Corridor near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from potential river flooding.