Aerial response to Colorado flooding
A number of US military divisions were called up as part of a multi-agency response after heaving rains lead to severe flooding in the state of Colorado
A number of US military divisions were called up as part of a multi-agency response after heaving rains lead to severe flooding in the state of Colorado. Among the assets activated was the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, whose soldiers evacuated residents including students from Firewood Elementary, who were airlifted on 14 September. Residents of Jamestown had to be flown out after the floods cut off major roads leading out of the town. Such was the scale of the flooding that help was sought from outside the state and five UH-60 Black Hawks and 20 crew members of Charlie Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Wyoming National Guard were deployed to Buckley Air Force Base, Denver to assist with evacuation efforts. The Guardsmen were activated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact – a national mutual aid partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance.
“It is our pleasure to support our neighbours to the south during this natural disaster,” said Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner, Wyoming’s adjutant general. “We will continue to stand ready to assist with any additional resources as the need arises.”
Caption: 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, soldiers evacuate students on 14 September
credit: DVIDS