National Guard troops on way
HARLINGEN - At least 600 of the 1,200 Texas Army National Guard members Gov. Rick Perry mobilized this week are poised to come to South Texas during and after Tropical Storm Dolly's strike, officials said Tuesday.
Troops from Austin and Houston traveled to Camp Bullis in San Antonio on Tuesday, preparing to help with searches, evacuations, transport of supplies and shelters as needed once Dolly arrives, said Technical Sgt. Gregory Ripps of Austin.
Guardsmen also have seven helicopters available for search-and-rescue missions if needed, and will bring food and supplies for residents, Ripps said.
The troops' job is to "support civilian authorities" in hurricane-affected areas, he said.
Some troops will move to an emergency headquarters site at Brooks City Base, a former Air Force base near San Antonio, while others will come to the Rio Grande Valley or other areas as needed, said Lt. Col. Gwen Huntley of Austin.
"Right now, we're loading up equipment and waiting to hear about the storm," Huntley said Tuesday afternoon. "We don't know yet what our exact locations will be."
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Melissa McEver covers health and environment issues for Valley Freedom Newspapers. She is based in Harlingen and you can reach her at (956) 430-6252.
