Photo: BRYAN R. SMITH / AFP / Getty Images
As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has announced the deployment of 65 New York National Guard soldiers and airmen to assist in storm response efforts. The personnel will be stationed at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center near Jacksonville, Florida, to support the Florida National Guard.
The team includes general purpose support personnel from Syracuse and pararescue airmen from Long Island. These airmen are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) trained in parachuting, scuba diving, and survival skills, making them well-equipped to handle the potential challenges posed by the hurricane.
In addition to personnel, New York is also sending ten Humvees, watercraft, and other specialized vehicles to aid in the response. This deployment comes as the New York National Guard continues to support recovery efforts in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene, with 48 soldiers and airmen currently stationed there.
The move underscores the cooperative efforts between states in times of natural disasters and the crucial role of the National Guard in providing emergency response and recovery support.