A line of UH-60 “Blackhawks” carrying supplies and personnel land on Oct. 5, 2024 at Greenville, Tenn. to support Hurricane Helene Relief. More than 500 Soldiers of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) are arriving to support the North Carolina National Guard in their natural disaster relief mission.
In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, the Pentagon has escalated its support efforts, deploying an additional 500 active-duty troops to the region. This latest deployment, announced by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, raises the total number of active-duty soldiers on the ground to approximately 1,500.
The decision to enhance military presence comes at the request of FEMA and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, and in coordination with local, state, and federal agencies. These soldiers, originally from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, are tasked with distributing essential supplies, clearing emergency routes, and providing reconnaissance and situational awareness through advanced technological assets.
Ryder highlighted the integral role of these troops in expediting the delivery of aid and restoring normalcy in the hardest-hit areas. Additionally, the National Guard has mobilized over 6,100 Guardsmen and deployed numerous high-water vehicles, helicopters, and rescue boats from 18 different states to bolster the response efforts.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also significantly involved, operating 12 Emergency Operations Centers across the southeast, with three located in North Carolina. Their teams are focused on emergency power restoration, infrastructure assessments, and debris removal, further supporting the comprehensive disaster response and recovery operations.
As the relief efforts continue, the Department of Defense remains committed to working closely with FEMA and other agencies, ensuring that federal support effectively meets the ongoing needs of the affected communities.