NY Army Guard Soldiers and CH-47 helicopters return to Rochester after Florida mission
Rochester-based aircrews moved 224 people and 16 vehicles to assist in recovery from Hurricane Ian
Latham, NY (10/08/2022) — Eleven New York Army National Guard Soldiers and two CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters which deployed from Rochester on September 28 to assist the Florida National Guard in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, returned from their mission on Friday, October 7.
The Soldiers, assigned to Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, are based at Army Aviation Support Facility 3 at the Frederick Douglas Greater Rochester International Airport.
The two aircraft and Soldiers were sent to Florida through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request for assistance from the state of Florida to New York.
They deployed at the direction of Governor Kathy Hochul.
During their mission the aircraft flew personnel and supplies to Sanibel and Pine Islands off the Florida coast, operating from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers under the direction of the Florida National Guard.
Between September 30 and October 5 they transported:
- 224 personnel, to include search and rescue teams
- 16 vehicles, to include eight Gators, two ATVs, one Ford Explorer, two skid steers, and three humvees
- Two pallets of water.
- Cell tower equipment
- 65,000 pounds of supplies
The 11 Soldiers included aircrew and maintenance personnel.
The aircraft left Fort Myers Florida on October 6 and flew to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they remained overnight.
The CH-47 F can carry 36 people, or over 46,000 pounds of cargo, and fly at 190 miles per hour.
The New York Army and Air National Guard have deployed personnel and aircraft to assist during hurricane responses in the past.
In October 2018, the New York Army National Guard deployed two CH-47F helicopters, two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and 25 Soldiers to Florida following Hurricane Michael.
In September 2017, following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the New York Army National Guard deployed 60 Soldiers and four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Puerto Rico on board three C-17s flown by the 105th Airlift Wing, based in Newburgh.
The New York Air National Guard also deployed 130 Airmen, two HC-130 Combat King search and rescue aircraft and three HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island following the storms.
The team based out of San Juan, Puerto Rico and conducted missions in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The New York Air National Guard crews assisted in missions that rescued 1,582 Americans from the joint French and Dutch-administered island of St. Maarten.
Also in 2017, the New York Air National Guard deployed three HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and crews to Texas in August following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The New York Airmen rescued 546 people using the helicopters and four inflatable Zodiac boats.
New York Army and Air National Guard personnel and helicopters also responded following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Media Attachments
Civilian aid workers exit a CH-47F Chinook helicopter operated by New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment during a mission to Sanibel Island, Florida on October 2, 2022. At the direction of Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York National Guard deployed 2 CH-47F aircraft and 11 Soldiers to assist the Florida National Guard in responding to the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian.( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Samuel Sacco)
Civilian search and rescue workers on board a CH-47F Chinook helicopter operated by New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to B Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment heading to a mission on Sanibel Island, Florida on October 2, 2022. At the direction of Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York National Guard deployed 2 CH-47F aircraft and 11 Soldiers to assist the Florida National Guard in responding to the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian. ( U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Samuel Sacco)
New York National Guard
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