Contact: Renee Hoffman 
Date: November 1, 2005
Phone: (919) 733-5027 x231

Gov. Easley Sends 600 N.C. National Guard Troops To Louisiana And Mississippi

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley has announced that North Carolina is sending nearly 600 National Guard members to Louisiana and Mississippi to assist in the continuing recovery operations from Hurricane Katrina.  The two Gulf states requested aid through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

“In the past, other states have come to our aid and we will do all we can to help our neighbors who have lost so much,” Easley said.  “I take pride in knowing that our guardsmen have the skills and commitment necessary to help in this recovery effort.”

The EMAC system was developed by state governors following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, when critical resources were needed by Florida.  When an affected state makes an aid request, other states with available resources calculate the cost to send the equipment or personnel and send a contract to the disaster-stricken state to review.  Once the contract is accepted, arrangements are made to promptly provide requested resources.

North Carolina will send 584 Army National Guard members to Louisiana for several weeks beginning Tuesday, Nov. 1.  The personnel will come from the 30th Brigade Combat Team, the 1451st and 1454th Transportation Companies and the 449th Aviation Brigade.  Of them, 380 guardsmen will be working security in New Orleans.  The other 204 will be handling logistical duties, such as transporting supplies in New Orleans. 

In addition, eight personnel from the Air National Guard’s 145th Medical Group will be sent to Bay St. Louis, Miss., to provide medical assistance from Saturday through Nov. 15.

North Carolina deployed about 500 personnel to Louisiana and Mississippi in the days and weeks immediately following Hurricane Katrina.