Louisiana National Guard Helps with Texas Fires

Responding to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from Texas, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has committed Louisiana National Guard firefighting assets to help Texas with its ongoing battle against major fires.

According to the governor’s office, three UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters rigged with firefighting water buckets will departed Louisiana early morning on Dec. 29 for Grand Prairie, Texas, to help Texas emergency teams battle raging fires. The three helicopters, belonging to the 1/244th Aviation Battalion, were flown with a full crew of 6 each for a total of 18 National Guardsmen. The National Guard Army Aviation soldiers will be on initial orders for seven days to aid in the fight.

“I am proud to send the very capable members and resources of the Louisiana National Guard to support our neighbors in Texas,” Governor Blanco said. “The people of Texas and the Texas National Guard quickly came to Louisiana’s aid when we needed it most. This support is one of the many ways we want to let our friends in Texas know that we will never forget their generosity to us.”

Major General Bennett C. Landreneau, The Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard stated that, “We’re happy to be able to lend a hand and return the favor to a neighboring state. We had such an outpouring of support from other states during our recovery from the hurricanes. This is what the National Guard is all about.”