Photo By Officer Candidate Jesse Searls | A D.C. National Guard vehicle outside of the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl during the Feb....... read more read more
WASHINGTON - About 180 D.C. Army and Air Guard personnel were called up for the snow emergency operations evening through today for the snow emergency. They are providing support at police and fire stations throughout the city.
Air Guard and active duty personnel from the 11th Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., were clearing snow to keep the D.C. Guard’s 24/7 alert mission up and running throughout the storm, protecting the skies over the nation’s capital with F-16 fighters standing by, a mission they have had since 9/11.
As the city gets back on its feet, D.C. National Guard soldiers and airmen are conducting 24-hour operations at the D.C. National Guard Armory, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, in D.C., Davison Army Airfield, Va., and Joint Base Andrews. One of their jobs is to transport Metropolitan Police and Fire personnel to duty.
The D.C. Guard was called up to support the city of Washington Feb. 12 by order of the Secretary of the Army.
“Our hearts go out to those who have had their homes or property damaged in this storm,” D.C. National Guard Commanding General Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz said. “We are doing everything we can to help the city return to normal operations. The city has asked for us for help, and we are responding, just as we always have in every emergency throughout its history.”
The troops spent the night in the D.C. Armory on standby for emergency missions. They began moving to seven Metropolitan Police districts and one fire station this morning in Humvees with two personnel in each vehicle. The D.C. Guard is using 30 Humvees during the snow emergency.
“Our personnel are doing a great job,” said Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Marc Sasseville, commander of the 113th Wing at Andrews. “This experience will serve us well in the future. I appreciate the time they have taken away from their families to serve the city and the nation.”
The Air Guard’s mission at Andrews is every bit as critical, he said. F-16 pilots and crews are on 24/7 alert at Andrews.
“Most people don’t realize we’ve had the alert mission since the moment the Pentagon was attacked on 9/11,” said Air Guard Col. Ron Stamps, director of the D.C. Guard’s joint staff. “It’s a no-fail mission, one we take seriously. Our crews work tirelessly when storms hit because our nation depends on us no matter what the emergency is.”
| Date Taken: | 02.13.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 02.13.2014 13:07 |
| Story ID: | 120582 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DC, US |
| Web Views: | 203 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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