Providing C-130 Evacuation Transport and Staff Assistance

New Castle, Del. – Two Delaware National Guard C-130s and flight crews returned this week from a five-day mission assisting with hurricane relief efforts in the Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While deployed, Delaware National Guard Airmen flew a total of more than 60 hours, transported 100 personnel, and more than 50 tons of cargo. These two crews remain on duty and on standby for follow-on missions.

One aircraft flew to Minnesota to pick up a Joint Incident Site Communications Capability package (JISCC, which is a portable, turn-key satellite communications system), a team of operators, military vehicles, and a pallet of equipment. This mission went to assist in Puerto Rico.

Another mission to assist Puerto Rico involved delivering vehicles, generators, emergency aid personnel, and medical equipment. This aircraft also evacuated about 40 people stranded in Puerto Rico, and transported them safely to Savannah, Ga.
“The National Guard has the expertise in supporting the Homeland, and this is just another example of citizen-Soldiers and Airmen at their best,” said Maj. Gen. Carol Timmons, Adjutant General, Delaware National Guard. “We are leaning forward as much as possible. We have hundreds of troops who are prepared and eager to answer the call.”

However, the Delaware National Guard cannot unilaterally send support. This is a nationally coordinated response and Delaware can only be tasked by the National Guard Bureau (NGB), using federal funds, or through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), using state funds. The Delaware National Guard is in close communication with NGB for federal taskings, and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency for support through EMAC.

“Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico are suffering, and Delaware continues to stand ready to assist them,” said Governor John Carney. “We will continue to look for ways to send needed resources and personnel to help our fellow citizens in need. Thank you to members of our Delaware National Guard for their important service.”

For the past month, tens of thousands of Citizen-Soldiers, Airmen, and women have answered the call in supporting the homeland – and Delaware is a strong partner. Since the end of August, about 50 Delaware National Guardsmen and women have deployed to support the relief effort.

At the end of August, the Delaware National Guard sent about a dozen Soldiers and Airmen to the National Guard Bureau to assist in staffing the NGB Joint Operations Center. These positions include experts in communications, operations, intelligence, logistics, and public affairs. We also launched a C-130 and flight crew to Texas. That team flew 11 sorties, transported 31 emergency aid personnel, more than 24 tons of cargo, and evacuated 183 people to safety.

On Labor Day Weekend, we deployed a team from our 142nd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron via C-130 aircraft to help in Texas. This team is comprised of flight nurses, aeromedical evacuation technicians, and a health services administrator. Fortunately, the team was not needed for any medical emergencies and returned home safely.

We currently have about 30 on duty and hundreds ready to support engineering, aviation, communications, transportation, vehicle and equipment maintenance, security, and medical needs.

* Please take a look at our Facebook page (Delaware National Guard) and our Instagram (#Delawarenationalguard) to view photos both the devastation and support efforts in Texas and the Caribbean. These photos are released and available for media use. We will continue to provide updates, and continue to post photos on our social media sites.

** Delaware National Guard will continue to provide updates as the event continues.

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SMYRNA, Del. – The following is an excerpt from Governor John Carney’s remarks on Friday at the Delaware Army National Guard’s deployment ceremony for the 261st Signal Brigade:

“Today, I come with a greater sense of responsibility for the soldiers in front of me and for the families who are here to join you as we wish you well, to provide the support that’s necessary, and to be here on the home front, supporting those who love you.

“While I have attended deployment ceremonies in the past, this ceremony is a little different because I’m here as an employer. As an employer, it is my honor to recognize Second Lieutenant Joe Bryant, who works in my office as the constituent relations director and as our health care policy advisor. And we’re going to miss Joe. I have a greater sense of appreciation than ever about what our employers go through as we send our Army and Air National Guard members around the world. We know it’s our patriotic responsibility to support our employees or colleagues as they serve on our behalf.

“I couldn’t be more humble to stand before you knowing the sacrifice and the service that you provide to our state and to our country. But chief among them is being away from your loved ones. And I want to assure you, that we are here to support your loved ones as you serve overseas, and we will be here for you and your loved ones when you return. On behalf of all the people in the great state of Delaware, we offer you best wishes as you go on your way.”

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En 1916 el General revolucionario mexicano Francisco “Pancho” Villa liderizó la redada contra Columbus en Nuevo México, ciudad norteamericana en la frontera con México. El gobierno de los Estados Unidos envió al General de la Armada, John J. Pershing, a capturar a Villa en lo que fue una fracasada incursión de 9 meses en el territorio soberano de México y que culminó cuando los Estados Unidos inician su participación en la Primera Guerra Mundial. Entre las tropas de Pershing habían miembros de la Guardia Nacional de Delaware. El sábado 20 de agosto a las 10:30 a.m. Kennard Wiggins, Jr., General Retirado de los Estados Unidos hará una presentación en los Archivos Públicos de Delaware sobre las tropas de Delaware que sirvieron en esta campaña. La presentación, uno de los eventos del Centenario de Delaware en La Primera Guerra Mundial, es patrocinada conjuntamente por los Archivos Públicos de Delaware y la Comisión de la Herencia de Delaware. Copias en inglés del nuevo libro del General Wiggins, Delaware in World War I, estarán a la venta y disponibles para ser autografiadas una vez culminado el evento.

El General Wiggins quien se retiró del servicio militar en 2004, inició su carrera en la milicia cuando se enlistó en la Guardia Nacional de Delaware como ingeniero mecánico en febrero de 1966. Sirvió en diferentes asignaciones antes de ser designado, en 1978, como Oficial de Asuntos Públicos del “166th Airlift Group”. Entró al servicio activo en 1986 ocupando diferentes posiciones en la Base Aérea de Andrews. En 1997 fue asignado al Pentágono. El General Wiggins es el autor de las historias ilustradas de la Guardia Nacional de Delaware, la Guardia Nacional de la Armada, la Base Aérea de Dover y la Aviación de Delaware. Contribuyó como autor de las Historias de Newark, 1758-200, y recientemente publicó el libro con el título en inglés, Delaware in World War I. Entre otras funciones, actualmente sirve como sub-director en la junta de la Fundación para la Educación y Herencia Militar de Delaware, en inglés conocida como Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation.

Esta presentación es gratis y totalmente en inglés con una duración aproximada de una hora. No se requieren reservaciones. Para más información sobre esta presentación contacte a Tammy Stock (302) 744-5038 o por correo electrónico a tamara.stock@delaware.gov.

Los Archivos Públicos de Delaware están ubicados en el 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North en Dover. La sala de investigación Mabel Lloyd Ridgely está abierta al público de lunes a viernes en horario de 8 a.m. a 4:15 p.m. El segundo sábado de cada mes, la sala de investigación está abierta de 9 a.m. a 4:15 p.m.

Los Archivos de Delaware (DPA por su nombre en inglés, archives.delaware.gov), es una agencia del Estado de Delaware y es uno de los programas de archivo más antiguos en los Estados Unidos. DPA sirve a los residentes de Delaware identificando, coleccionando y preservando los registros públicos de evidente valor histórico; asegurando el acceso a los registros públicos para las generaciones presentes y futuras; y educando a los interesados en la creación, manejo, uso y preservación de los registros públicos.

In 1916, Mexican Revolutionary General Francisco “Pancho” Villa, led a raid against the U.S.-Mexican border town of Columbus, New Mexico. The U.S. government sent U.S. Army General John J. Pershing to capture Villa in an unsuccessful nine-month incursion into Mexican sovereign territory that ended when the United States entered World War I. Among Pershing’s troops were members of the Delaware National Guard. On Saturday, August 20, at 10:30 a.m. General Kennard Wiggins, Jr., USA, (Ret.), will be presenting a program at the Delaware Public Archives about the Delaware troops who served in this campaign. This presentation, a Delaware World War I Centennial Event, is sponsored jointly by the Delaware Public Archives and the Delaware Heritage Commission. Copies of General Wiggins’s new book, Delaware in World War I, will be available for purchase at the event, with a book-signing to follow.

General Wiggins, who retired from active duty in 2004, began his military service when he enlisted in the Delaware Air National Guard as a Reciprocating Aircraft Engine Mechanic in February, 1966. He served in a variety of assignments before he was commissioned in 1978 as the Public Affairs Officer with the 166th Airlift Group. He entered active duty in 1986, holding positions at Andrews Air Force Base. In 1997, he was assigned to duty at the Pentagon. General Wiggins is the author of illustrated histories of the Delaware Air National Guard, the Army National Guard, Dover Air Force Base, and Delaware Aviation. He was a contributing author to Histories of Newark, 1758-2008, and recently published his latest book, Delaware in World War I. Among other interests, he presently serves as vice-chairman of the board of directors of the Delaware Military Heritage and Education Foundation.

The program is free to the public and will last approximately one hour. No reservations are required. For more information, contact Tom Summers (302) 744-5047 or e-mail thomas.summers@delaware.gov.

The Delaware Public Archives is located at 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard North in Dover. The Mabel Lloyd Ridgely Research Room is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. On the second Saturday of every month the research room is open from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Delaware Public Archives (DPA, archives.delaware.gov), an agency of the State of Delaware, is one of the oldest public archives programs in the United States. DPA serves the citizens of Delaware by identifying, collecting, and preserving public records of enduring historical and evidential value; ensuring access to public records for present and future generations; and advising and educating interested parties in the creation, management, use, and preservation of public records.

Dover, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell recognizes the efforts of the men and women of the Delaware National Guard and statewide efforts to continue supporting them and our veterans, as the nation marks the 14th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

“Earlier this month, we celebrated the Guard’s 360th anniversary, recognizing its deep-rooted history in Delaware, along with the men and women who have represented the First State both abroad and in domestic emergencies,” said Governor Markell. “From peacekeeping missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, to serving victims of floods, ice storms and hurricanes at home, the National Guard continually answers the call to serve and protect our state and our nation. By continuing to honor and support them, we’ll ensure our Guard is as strong as ever, and that will keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/yunvZhzG1YI
Delaware.Gov:http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
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Transcript of Governor’s Weekly Message: Paying Tribute to Those Who Serve