Pa. Guard's Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site ready to respond to Pennsylvania emergencies

Photo By Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart | Members of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site gather to hear a briefing about domestic operations from Col. Frank Montgomery, director of domestic operations, Jan. 23 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.. The unit has taken on the mission of becoming Task Force Aviation during domestic emergencies.  

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, UNITED STATES

02.13.2020

Story by Lt. Col. Angela King-Sweigart 

Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa.-The Pennsylvania National Guard's Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site accepted an additional mission this winter: responding to potential natural disasters as Task Force Aviation. The unit was previously part of the task force, but is now taking on a leadership role.

During domestic emergencies, the units of the Pennsylvania National Guard divide into geographic and functional task forces to ensure that Guard members are always ready to respond to the call statewide if needed. Previously, Task Force Aviation, responsible for aircraft and pilots and missions like supply delivery and aerial observation of storm damaged areas, was under the direction of the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. The 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade is scheduled to deploy later this year.

EAATS has been conducting additional training to ensure it is ready to respond.

"We are excited to have the mission. The pilots and crew are happy to serve our neighbors right here in Pennsylvania. While we hope that no Pennsylvanian needs us, we are ready if they do. We wish all our brothers and sisters in arms the best as they move out to defend our nation, we've got things covered here," said Lt. Col. Keith Graham, commander of Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site and Task Force Aviation.

Previous missions of Task Force Aviation included delivering water and supplies as well as aerial observation of storm damaged areas. Additionally, pilots with the task force augment the PA-HART team. The team is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency along with credentialed civilian rescue technicians. PA-HART members perform water search and rescues like the one in July 2018

The Pennsylvania National Guard's Joint Staff, who manage the Pennsylvania National Guard's support to civil authorities, is confident in the skills of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site Soldiers.

"These Soldiers are among the most experienced aviators in our formation," said Col. Frank Montgomery, director of domestic operations. "I can't imagine a better unit to take over this mission while the Soldiers of the 28th Expeditionary Aviation Brigade deploy. I have every confidence in them that they will be able to succeed in any mission The Adjutant General accepts from PEMA."

The Pennsylvania Guard is one of the largest and most deployed National Guards in the nation and headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. In addition to its federal mission, the Pennsylvania National Guard responds to domestic emergencies, working with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, U.S. Northern Command and dozens of federal, state and local agencies. The Pennsylvania National Guard maintains a Joint Operations Center at Fort Indiantown Gap staffed by Pennsylvania Guard members 24/7 that support its domestic mission.

• Date Taken: 02.13.2020
• Date Posted: 02.20.2020 09:31
• Story ID: 363027
• Location: FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA, US