Guard troops assist in search, rescue missions in Mena
CAMP JOSEPH T. ROBINSON-Members of the Arkansas National Guards 39th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team are on the ground in Mena, Ark. today assisting local
law enforcement and emergency response agencies in combing through the
devastation following the tornado that struck the community on Thursday
evening. Guard teams include 50 members of the 1st Battalion, 153rd
Infantry Regiment, 39th IBCT. The Soldiers from nearby communities of DeQueen, Hope
and Prescott are moving with law enforcement personnel, performing search
and rescue missions to rescue and aide survivors that may be trapped in the
debris.
In addition, the Guard was tasked this morning to transport 10 pallets,
equating to 500 Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MREs), from the Arkansas Department of
Emergency Management at North Little Rock to a staging center in Mena. This
mission is supported by two Guardsmen and one truck from the Institute
Support Unit at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock.
The Guard itself did not escape the affects of the storm, as the National
Guard Readiness Center in Mena, home to Charlie Company, 1/153 itself
sustained heavy roof damage one broken window, and one vehicle sustained
minor damage. There were no injuries, as the readiness center was closed at
the time the storm struck.
Aviation assets from the Arkansas National Guard’s 77th Aviation Brigade
will also support a visit to the damaged area and aerial survey of the damage by
Governor Mike Beebe later today.
