Photo By Capt. Aaron Moshier | Texas Secretary of State; David Whitley and Texas Adjutant General; Maj. Gen. Tracy R....... read more read more
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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Secretary of State, the Honorable David Whitley, and the Texas Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Tracy R. Norris, presented the Lone Star Medal of Valor to National Guard aircrews at a ceremony at Camp Mabry, April 13, 2019.
The service members with Bravo Co., 1st Battalion, 114th Aviation Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, earned the recognition for their response and rescue efforts during Hurricane Harvey.
“It is with great humbleness and respect that I would like to bring to your attention the efforts of several individuals here with us today,” said Maj. Gen. Hamilton. “During the catastrophic events of Hurricane Harvey, these brave soldiers put their own safety to the side, willingly putting themselves into danger in the effort to save the lives of others.”
The aircrews were part of the 12,000 Texas Military Department service members who responded to rescue efforts within the first three days after the hurricane made landfall in August 2017; and train year-round for events just like this. Earlier that year the crews were certified in specialized training; and not a moment too soon.
“For the first time, I had approved selected crews for nighttime rescue operations,” Hamilton said. “I never knew when I approved those crews, who were extremely high hour and very qualified, that they would have to execute that mission just a few months after they were certified.”
Three aircraft crew members from Nebraska and Utah Army National Guard units were also awarded the medal at the ceremony for their support of Hurricane Harvey. In total, National Guard members from 22 states supported the search and rescue operations, resulting in 1,457 rotary aircraft evacuations, 371 of which were hoist rescues.
“Amid the devastation, the rising tide, you never wavered, never faltered, and you never hesitated to risk your lives to protect our fellow Texans,” said Texas Secretary of State David Whitley.
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2019 17:55 |
| Story ID: | 318082 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 554 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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