FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – About 60 members of the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade will head to Raleigh, N.C. to aid in hurricane relief efforts.
According to a release, the unit will set up a command center in order to coordinate aviation efforts and rescue operations.
“This is one of the best parts of being a Guardsman, answering the call for help from citizens of our neighboring states,” Col. Dwayne Lewis said. “As an aviation unit, we know the expertise we bring is sometimes the only hope that those in need may have, and we take the mission of supporting our neighbors and rendering life sustaining aid very seriously.”
Last year, Soldiers and assets from the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade and other Kentucky Aviation units were instrumental in saving countless lives, and offering help to thousands of Americans in the wake of three separate hurricanes; Irma, Maria, and Harvey.
Hurricane Florence has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but it continues to dump rain on parts of the Carolinas.
Currently there are more than 7,500 National Guardsmen deployed to the affected areas supporting local authorities. That number includes 12 Airmen from Kentucky’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron from Louisville.
