“Our hearts go out to those affected in Texas,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “Under Governor Sanders’ leadership and direction, we’re eager to assist our brothers and sisters in the Texas National Guard as they continue to respond and recover from the Texas flooding.
We received an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request from Texas late yesterday, and we generated a four-helicopter departure this morning. We want to support however we can.”
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders mobilized to state active duty July 7, 2025, 22 Arkansas National Guardsmen to deploy to Texas to assist that state with transportation of search and rescue personnel in the vicinity of Austin,Texas.
The 22 Soldiers consist of pilots and crew chiefs, and six maintenance personnel, departed at approximately 7 a.m., July 8, 2025.
One Black Hawk crew is postured for to provide medical evacuation support, with forward looking infrared and hoist capability. Three other Black Hawk crews are postured to provide hoist capability, visual searches, passenger movement, and cargo movement.
Additionally, two Soldiers were ordered to state active duty to serve as liaison officers here at home station to coordinate direct support to the deployed Soldiers, as needed. The orders are through July 12, 2025, but can be adjusted based on mission needs.
The Arkansas National Guard assumes support roles to augment civil authorities, where needed and directed by the Governor, to help in a crisis.
(Arkansas Army National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Bryce Colvert)
“That’s why we signed up for this … helping and assisting our neighbors, or friends, or family members, and other states in these tragic environments,” said Col. Shawn Keeter, commander of the 77th Theater Aviation Brigade, to local news affiliates. “Our hearts go out to them.”
The four Black Hawks, their crews, and support personnel arrived safely in Texas, and are preparing to assist local civil authorities in recovery efforts.