Photo By Cotton Puryear | Sgt. Jason Lowe of Richlands guides a scoop loader driven by Sgt. Joshua Blevins of...... read more read more
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Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard's Cedar Bluff-based 1033rd Engineer Company departed their home armory early in the morning, May 18, and arrived safely in West Virginia Monday afternoon where they are scheduled to assist with the state's flood recovery operations. Approximately 30 Soldiers will assist with debris removal and other clean up operations and are schedule to be on duty for up to 30 days.
"We are very excited about this mission," said 1st Lt. Adam Provost of Charlottesville, the commander of the 1033rd. "This is the mission most of us signed up for, and that's to help our neighbors and local communities. Fighting wars overseas is an important part of our job, but supporting our communities is why we joined the Guard."
The Soldiers are equipped with four 2.5 cubic-yard front-end loaders hauled by tractor trailers, eight 5-ton dump trucks and nine chain saw kits. The Soldiers will provide the necessary personnel support to operate and maintain the equipment.
"This is one of the more fulfilling missions we have in the Virginia National Guard, but also one of the most devastating when you see where your neighbors have lost everything," said Sgt. 1st Class Claude Dye of Richlands. Dye served on flood recovery duty in West Virginia in 2001, and he saw first hand the impact of severe flooding on the citizens living in flood-damaged areas.
Dye said that about 70 percent of the Soldiers on the mission just returned home from an overseas deployment about five months ago, and he hopes their experience and "mission first" mind set will set the example for the younger Soldiers in the unit.
The goal for the mission is to "hit is hard, get it done, and everyone comes home with 10 fingers and 10 toes," Dye said
Of the approximately 30 Soldiers, six are from Richlands, four are from Bristol, two each are from Abingdon, Bluefield, Gate City and Tazewell and individuals Soldiers are coming from Big Stone Gap, Chilhowie, Davenport, Grundy, Hopewell, Mendota, Oakwood, Pound, Pulaski and Warsaw.
The request for assistance came through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a Congressionally-ratified organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disaster-impacted state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently. Once the Governor approves a request for assistance, the Virginia Guard determines what unit, personnel and equipment can best support the request.
"We welcome the chance to assist our neighbors in West Virginia during this time of need," said Maj. Gen. Robert B. Newman, Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia. "It is important that we all know that in a crisis where the health and welfare of citizens are at risk, no one stands alone. I am glad we can provide assistance, and I know if the tables were turned, we could count on assistance from other states here in Virginia."
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2009 17:57 |
| Story ID: | 33769 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 305 |
| Downloads: | 266 |
This work, Virginia Guard Soldiers arrive in West Virginia to assist with flood clean up, by Cotton Puryear, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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