Photo By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry | Indiana National Guard Sgt. 1st Class John Hoffman, a 38th Infantry Division...... read more read more
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By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry
38th Infantry Division Public Affairs
BASTROP, Texas — Approximately 80 Indiana National Guard soldiers and airmen assigned to the 38th Infantry Division deployed to Texas to help manage the influx of National Guard troops from around the nation into Texas to assist with Hurricane Harvey rescue, relief and recovery efforts.
“The 38th’s mission was to deploy a mobile command post to provide movement control and reception, staging, onward movement and integration for deploying units from home station to the Texas National Guard,” said Lt. Col. James Babbitt, the operations officer for the mission.
During the weeklong process, the 38th Infantry Division Guardsmen managed in-processing operations in southeast Texas near Bastrop, Bryan and Huntsville.
“All mobilized units must go through the RSOI process, with the great state of Texas being impacted to the level that it was from Hurricane Harvey,” said Babbitt.
Guardsmen from Indiana replaced Texas Guardsmen so that they could focus on their personal recovery efforts.
“There were many Texas National Guardsmen who were or have family that was affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said Babbitt.
Texas National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Mark J. Horn agreed with that assessment.
“It’s hugely important, and we really appreciate our National Guard brothers and sisters, the Air National Guard as well as the Army National Guard coming to help us out,” said Horn, the 36th Infantry Division’s senior enlisted adviser. “We don’t have the words to express how much we appreciate our brothers and sisters in America, in the National Guard. As we all know, we’re less than 1 percent, that’s our family. One percent of those who are willing and able to do what we do. There’s a special bond there and there will always be a special bond there.”
Texas State Guard Maj. Ben Craver, the Air component command chaplain, also saw the benefit of Hoosier Guardsmen and Guardsmen from other states answering the call.
“For me it’s the idea that they’re welcome, whether they’re from Indiana or Oklahoma. We appreciate their willingness to assist in our time of need. And they’re willingness to serve in the National Guard,” said Craver.
Aside from managing the flow or units and personnel, 38th personnel briefed the troops on what to expect during the relief and recovery operations — everything on weather to encountering media to dealing with human tragedy.
“The briefings let them know to be safe and in a sense to know what to expect,” said Craver. “One thing I emphasize is the golden rule: to show respect as you would have them respect you if you were in the same circumstances.”
Craver said the briefings prepared the troops for their future operations.
“We want a well-rounded soldier to be prepared as can be to assist the citizens of Texas.”
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| Date Taken: | 09.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2017 16:58 |
| Story ID: | 247381 |
| Location: | BASTROP, TX, US |
| Hometown: | INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US |
| Web Views: | 451 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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