The Arkansas National Guard said it dispatched four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 22 personnel to Texas early Tuesday morning in a rapid-response effort to assist with ongoing historic flooding across the state.The deployment, which lifted off shortly after 7 a.m., includes pilots, crew chiefs, and a six-member maintenance team. The mission was activated under state orders issued by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.“We have a rich history of helping out our fellow states, whether it’s in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi or even Florida,” said Bob Oldham, public affairs officer for the Arkansas National Guard. “Some of these missions are pre-negotiated, but even when they’re not, we’re ready to mobilize quickly and provide support where it’s needed.”Oldham said the aircraft are equipped for a wide range of emergency operations, including passenger transport, critical cargo delivery, and visual search missions. One of the helicopters includes forward-looking infrared capability and hoist systems, allowing crews to conduct extractions in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas.“What they’re prepared to do is whatever Texas needs them to do,” Oldham said. “That’s where helicopters have a huge advantage over ground teams.”The Arkansas National Guard said the team is prepared to remain in Texas through Saturday, though personnel will stay longer if the situation requires. Additional crews and resources may be deployed if conditions worsen.“That’s one thing the National Guard is uniquely qualified to do — these types of missions,” Oldham said. “We train routinely throughout the year to be ready for just about anything.”As rainfall continues to threaten communities across Texas, Guard officials reaffirmed their readiness to extend support and respond dynamically as needs evolve on the ground.
The Arkansas National Guard said it dispatched four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 22 personnel to Texas early Tuesday morning in a rapid-response effort to assist with ongoing historic flooding across the state.
The deployment, which lifted off shortly after 7 a.m., includes pilots, crew chiefs, and a six-member maintenance team. The mission was activated under state orders issued by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
“We have a rich history of helping out our fellow states, whether it’s in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi or even Florida,” said Bob Oldham, public affairs officer for the Arkansas National Guard. “Some of these missions are pre-negotiated, but even when they’re not, we’re ready to mobilize quickly and provide support where it’s needed.”
Oldham said the aircraft are equipped for a wide range of emergency operations, including passenger transport, critical cargo delivery, and visual search missions. One of the helicopters includes forward-looking infrared capability and hoist systems, allowing crews to conduct extractions in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas.
“What they’re prepared to do is whatever Texas needs them to do,” Oldham said. “That’s where helicopters have a huge advantage over ground teams.”
The Arkansas National Guard said the team is prepared to remain in Texas through Saturday, though personnel will stay longer if the situation requires. Additional crews and resources may be deployed if conditions worsen.
“That’s one thing the National Guard is uniquely qualified to do — these types of missions,” Oldham said. “We train routinely throughout the year to be ready for just about anything.”
As rainfall continues to threaten communities across Texas, Guard officials reaffirmed their readiness to extend support and respond dynamically as needs evolve on the ground.