Nearly 600 Tennessee National Guardsmen, with more than 150 vehicles and construction equipment, continue to support state, county, and local first responders in East Tennessee areas impacted by severe flooding following Hurricane Helene.
These Soldiers and Airmen are providing 24-hour, ground and aerial recovery support to those in need with efforts focused primarily on Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hawkins, Hamblen, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties.
Organized into three task forces, they are working with local emergency managers by assisting with debris clearance, reconnaissance, logistics management, transporting critical supplies, and distributing food, water, and other necessities.
Since flooding began, Task Force Aviation, made-up of flight crews from the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, based primarily in Knoxville, have been flying UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to support rescue efforts and now relief to communities in need.
They have rescued more than 100 citizens and transported 370 emergency personnel while airlifting more than 125,000 pounds of drinking water, food, medicine, generators, and countless other items to citizens cut-off due to destroyed bridges and damaged roads. These Guardsmen have also flown 16 reconnaissance flights to survey dams, bridges, roadways, and other critical infrastructure to begin repairs.