Photo By Master Sgt. Timothy Chacon | U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Cody Brown, 194th Combat Weather Flight, delivers wildfire...... read more read more
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As fires spread through the Spokane area, requests for support came into the Washington National Guard, generating a tasking for personnel. More than 80 194th Wing Airmen responded to support various needs across Spokane County between July 31- Aug. 9.
The wing’s first mission was to support local law enforcement by managing traffic control points near areas affected by the fires.
The first Airmen out the door from the wing were from the 194th Security Forces Squadron, who volunteered and mobilized in less than 13 hours.
Working day and night shifts, Airmen staffed multiple traffic control points on 12-hour rotations.
“We are here to make sure no one enters evacuation zones with active wildfires, keep the roads free for emergency vehicles and provide security for homes in areas that have been evacuated,” said Tech. Sgt. Alyssa Clark, 194th SFS. As conditions changed and the need for traffic control support decreased, the mission shifted.
Another 50 Airmen from across the 194th Wing were placed on state active duty orders and moved into the area, ready to support.
While some helped run the joint task force overseeing the Washington National Guard response, the majority of the wing’s Airmen partnered with the Red Cross to provide immediate aid to people in the area.
“We have been working with the Red Cross and the Washington Army National Guard to put together wildfire relief kits,” said Master Sgt. Casey Wilson, 194th Wing Medical Group. “The kits have basic necessities to help families who have lost homes recover from the fire.”
The kits included water, food, personal protective gear, including suits and gloves, and goggles to give citizens items to navigate their home sites. The Washington National Guard helped assemble more than 2,600 kits in three days. Additional supplies, including rakes, shovels and sifters, were also provided to aid families in searching through what remained of their homes to recover belongings that survived the fire.
Not only did the Guardsmen assemble the kits, but they also helped distribute them throughout affected communities.
“We have been taking the kits to houses that have been [damaged] by the fires and leaving them with the families, or leaving them there so when the families show up, they have resources to help them,” Wilson said. This mission was personal for many members of the 194th. The wing is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, but has units located at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. Many members of the wing who live in the area were evacuated, and some even lost their homes to the fire.
Domestic response is a responsibility of the National Guard. It is a role that Guardsmen take pride in. “We have a distinct mission where we are here to help the people of Washington state. When there is a disaster such as wildfires, it is an honor and privilege to go out and help our communities,” said Wilson.
| Date Taken: | 12.31.1969 |
| Date Posted: | 08.14.2026 11:47 |
| Story ID: | 572395 |
| Location: | SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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