South Carolina National Guard off-duty officers aid Bahamian victims of Hurricane Dorian

Photo By Sgt. Tim Andrews | U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers from the South Carolina National Guard deliver materials to the victims of Hurricane Dorian, September 2019, in the Bahamas. U.S. Army 2nd Lt. William “Cole” Sanford Jr., Charlie Company, 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion platoon leader, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Sam Evans, Bravo Company, 1-118th Infantry Battalion platoon leader, fly back and forth from Florida to the Bahamas delivering materials and commodities including toiletries, tents, and MREs to aid the victims of Hurricane Dorian. (Courtesy photo)  

COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

10.23.2019

Story by Sgt. Tim Andrews 

South Carolina National Guard

Two South Carolina National Guard officers delivered materials and necessities to assist Bahamian victims of the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, September 2019.

Hurricane Dorian left the Bahamas damaged, claiming at least 50 lives, leaving 70,000 people homeless, and stripped away simple commodities of life. This is where these two Guard members stepped up.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Sam Evans, 1-118th Infantry Battalion, Bravo Company platoon leader, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. William “Cole” Sanford Jr., 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Charlie Company platoon leader, found this opportunity via an online forum by a member of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), saying they had organized the collection of supplies, but needed pilots and planes to fly them to the Bahamas.

“I reached out to get more details, and asked Sanford if he was interested in making the relief trips with me, to which he said yes,” said Evans.

Evans, a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and ROTC program, obtained his private pilot's license prior to commissioning, and then returned to South Carolina. Sanford, a graduate of Wofford College and ROTC program, obtained his private pilot’s license for a single engine, land and fixed wing aircraft while attending school.

The two flew back and forth from South Florida to the Bahamas five times on a small two seat single engine prop 1943 Luscombe Silvaire.

“We were limited on space and weight,” said Evans. “We could take about 100 pounds of supplies each trip, and would pack aid into every space possible.”

In total they delivered more than 500 pounds of supplies and materials. Sanford and Evans would drop off toiletries, tents and MREs to aid the victims of the Hurricane Dorian.

“At the end of the day, what we did was small," said Sanford. "But it felt good that the toiletries and other things that we brought could be helping someone. It may just have been a pick me up for someone who had just lost their house.”

Currently, Sanford has his eyes set for Army flight school to become a helicopter pilot. Evans is currently pursuing his commercial license.

“It was something I will definitely remember. It was the first time I’ve done something like this and flown over the ocean,” said Sanford. “When someone asks, ‘What were you doing last month?’ I can say ‘I was flying down to the Bahamas delivering supplies.’”

Hurricane Dorian impacted the Bahamas early September 2019 and is still recovering a month and a half later.

• Date Taken: 10.23.2019
• Date Posted: 10.23.2019 14:21
• Story ID: 348897
• Location: COLUMBIA, SC, US