Smyrna – On Tuesday, October 24th at approximately 745 am, 36 Soldiers from the Delaware National Guard’s 1049th Transportation Company departed the Smryna Readiness Center via motor coach and to be flown to Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane relief efforts.
The Soldiers will deploy for up to 60 days and help transport supplies necessary to support the citizens of Puerto Rico as they recover from Hurricane Maria. The Soldiers are truck drivers and maintenance personnel. They have a wealth of experience. Some have deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and others to New York in 2012 in support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
Since August, about 80 Delaware National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and women have deployed to support hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The Delaware National Guard has transported 80 tons of supplies to include, generators, satellite communications equipment, medical supplies, and food and water. Our C-130 aircraft pilots and crews have evacuated more than 250 citizens to safety. They have also provided support with medical, engineer, and communications experts. Currently, they have a team on the ground in the Virgin Islands helping with aerial port operations at St. Croix Airport, along with a team of communication experts assisting in Puerto Rico.
Image Credits: Delaware Air National Guard