The Nebraska’s Army National Guard’s 67th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade has long been known as the “Pike Brigade” based upon its unique unit patch designed in the 1960s when the Lincoln-based brigade was reorganized during the height of the Vietnam War.
While the name “Pike Brigade” has stuck over the decades, the brigade probably could be known by a different name as well based upon its history of being called up for Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008.
Nebraska’s “Hurricane Brigade” lived up to its name once again this October when the Nebraska National Guard mobilized the brigade headquarters as well as 56 Nebraska Soldiers and two Nebraska Airmen for duty in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Gustav in September.
“Once again, Nebraska is proud to support our neighbors in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico who continue to recover from these devastating storms by sending trained and ready Nebraska National Guard Soldiers and Airmen to provide assistance where it is needed the most,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts in announcing the deployment on Oct. 13.
Along with the 67th MEB deployment, a member of the Nebraska National Guard’s 72nd Civil Support Team was deployed to Puerto Rico to provide communication support there.
According to Nebraska officials, the deployment of the 67th MEB, which took place on Oct. 15-16, involved assisting the U.S. Virgin Islands Joint Force Headquarters in providing command and control support of National Guard units from 31 states that had been sent to the Caribbean Islands to help assist in the hurricane recovery efforts. The mission involved coordinating National Guard support to civil authorities in the areas of law enforcement, Level 2 medical care, and reception and onward integration activities of incoming and outgoing National Guard forces on St. Croix and St. Thomas, said Col. Craig Strong, 67th MEB commander.
“This is a good mission for us,” Strong said on Oct. 14. “We’re excited to deploy and begin helping our fellow Americans who have been affected by these hurricanes.”
Others echoed those comments.
“I’m excited to be able to put my knowledge to use, to help people and to do a mission that counts,” said Sgt. Shalyn Robinson, a supply specialists as she waited to receive her flu shot during the initial processing for brigade personnel for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“It should be interesting,” added 1st Lt. Jonathan Smolen, who would be responsible for providing in- and out-processing support for Guardsmen deploying into and out of St. Thomas. “This is my first deployment so I think this will be a good experience. It should be fun.”
Following the deployment to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Guard Soldiers and Airmen quickly took over their respective duties from members of the Virginia National Guard 114th Infantry Brigade Combat Team that had been responsible for the duty up until then. The Nebraska Guardsmen also had the opportunity to lend a direct hand while helping Guardsmen clean up a number of schools on St. Croix, which had been closed since Hurricane Maria’s landfall weeks earlier.
The mission definitely was what Capt. Trevor Ocken, a brigade plans officer, was hoping for as he prepared for what was expected to be a 30-day deployment.
“This is a great opportunity to go help some people who need the help,” Ocken said.
“This is why you sign up… to go help people in need.”
| Date Taken: |
11.20.2017 |
| Date Posted: |
12.12.2017 15:02 |
| Story ID: |
258501 |
| Location: |
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: |
100 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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This work, ‘Hurricane brigade’ takes lead in U.S. Virgin Islands, by Kevin Hynes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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