It’s a family affair; Pa. Army National Guard couple supports hurricane recovery effort

Photo By Master Sgt. George Roach | Army National Guard Sergeants, Jalean and Adam Mills perform a vehicle inspection prior departing on the long haul from Texas back to their home base in central Pennsylvania, Aug. 1, 2017. Assigned to the 228th Battalion as mechanics, but are also qualified as truck drivers, the husband and wife team add a special dimension to the recovery efforts after Hurricane Harvey.  

AUSTIN, TX, UNITED STATES

09.11.2017

Story by Master Sgt. George Roach 

111th Attack Wing

It’s been almost a decade since a major hurricane has made landfall in the U.S. So when Hurricane Harvey hit the state of Texas, Pennsylvania National Guardsmen answered the call to duty. Some soldiers were only given 12 hours of notice, but in the end, 200 guardsmen left their homes to provide support to the hurricane hit regions of Southeast Texas.

“With the very short notice that we all got,” said 1st Lt. Hayden Chamberlain, commanding officer with the 228th Transportation Battalion. “Just the fact that we were able to get this many people to get here -- but also to volunteer to be here. They volunteered time away from their families, their personal jobs, that alone speaks volumes.”

For the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s 228th Transportation Battalion, moving logistics and supplies are a normal operation. Driving short trips to long trips, it’s what they train to do. However, driving cross country with their spouse is something many Guardsmen do on their off-duty time or something they dream about doing after they retire. For one dedicated couple assigned with the 228th, they had the opportunity to support the mission jointly and make it a family affair.

Sgts. Jalean and Adam Mills are assigned to the 228th Battalion as mechanics, but are also qualified as truck drivers. They met while on active duty in 2011 in Hawaii. They later joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2013. They married this past Easter. Jalean is from the Harrisburg area and together decided returned home after their active duty assignments ended.

For them, supporting the Pa. team in the face of Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts was rewarding because they appreciate the unique humanitarian missions that the guard has to offer.

“We were very happy we were able to step up to the plate when our fellow citizens are in a time of need,” said Sgt. Jalean Mills. “This is the reason we choose the National Guard over the reserves.

“To help our people when they needed it. We have already been to war a couple times and we see our citizens need us here -- on the homefront just as much. So we're grateful to be able to help in any way possible,” she added.

The 213th Transportation Battalion has a unique heart sewn into its design. For this family, their hearts represent their love of family and commitment to duty. They returned home this past weekend. After several unscheduled repairs on the road and unloading their haul, they are now on a new list to support Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2017
• Date Posted: 09.12.2017 04:58
• Story ID: 247847
• Location: AUSTIN, TX, US