The Arkansas National Guard sent a five-Soldier HH-60M Black Hawk crew to Florida Oct. 8, 2024, to augment the Florida National Guard and provide hoist and airlift support after Hurricane Milton passes. The 11-day mission will provide direct hoist and airlift support to ground-based search-and-rescue teams. The support is provided through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact between Florida and Arkansas. The five-Soldier crew includes two pilots, two crew chiefs and a medic. They are expected to stage overnight in the Florida panhandle before proceeding where directed by the Florida National Guard in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Interview: 1st Sgt. Jonathan Watson, Crew Chief for Arkansas Urban Search and Rescue Task Force-1 (Video by Arkansas National Guard 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

1st Sgt. Jonathan Watson, Crew Chief, 77th TAB, explains the capabilities of the new medical rescue Black Hawk helicopter. The Arkansas National Guard sent a five-Soldier HH-60M Black Hawk crew to Florida Oct. 8, 2024, to augment the Florida National Guard and provide hoist and airlift support after Hurricane Milton passes. The 11-day mission will provide direct hoist and airlift support to ground-based search-and-rescue teams. The support is provided through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact between Florida and Arkansas. “This is our first operational state active-duty mission for our newest model Black Hawk, the HH-60M,” said Brig. Gen Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “It’s also the first time we’re going to operate outside the state with the Arkansas Urban Search and Rescue Task Force-1 team from central Arkansas who is sending four personnel. Our crews have trained rigorously with their civilian counterparts, and they’re well prepared to take on this vital mission once the hurricane has passed.” The five-Soldier crew includes two pilots, two crew chiefs and a medic. They are expected to stage overnight in the Florida panhandle before proceeding where directed by the Florida National Guard in the wake of Hurricane Milton. The HH-60M is a modernized version of the “legacy Black Hawk helicopter designed to be joint forces capable and execute missions 24 hours a day under all-weather conditions,” according to an Army fact sheet. “The M model Black Hawk has multiple upgrades over its predecessors including multi-mission capabilities and features a new airframe, advanced digital avionics and a powerful propulsion system that can be used to perform tactical transport, utility, search and rescue, airborne assault, command and control, medical evacuation, aerial sustainment, disaster relief and firefighting missions.” The HH-60M crew took a water rescue basket along with a variety of devices to help them safely rescue people of all ages, including pets, if needed. The Arkansas National Guard assumes support roles to augment civil authorities, where needed and directed by the Governor, to help in a crisis. (Video by Arkansas National Guard 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

The Arkansas National Guard sent a five-Soldier HH-60M Black Hawk crew to Florida Oct. 8, 2024, to augment the Florida National Guard and provide hoist and airlift support after Hurricane Milton passes. The 11-day mission will provide direct hoist and airlift support to ground-based search-and-rescue teams. The support is provided through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact between Florida and Arkansas. The five-Soldier crew includes two pilots, two crew chiefs and a medic. They are expected to stage overnight in the Florida panhandle before proceeding where directed by the Florida National Guard in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Interview: 1st Sgt. Jonathan Watson, Crew Chief for Arkansas Urban Search and Rescue Task Force-1 (Video by Arkansas National Guard 1st Sgt. Jim Heuston)

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, each with teams of five Arkansas Guardsmen, launched in response of ongoing and future recovery operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael on October 10. The two aviation assets, one MEDEVAC (medical evacuation) air ship, and the other, a CASEVAC (casualty evacuation) air ship, will be utilized to aid in search and rescue operations and several other special missions. Arkansas' Governor, Asa Hutchinson, tweeted "I have authorized the deployment of 2 Black Hawks and 10 @arkansasguard personnel to support search and rescue efforts in Florida. Arkansas is working to help our neighbors in wake of #HurricaneMichael." (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

Soldiers and Airmen of the Arkansas National Guard have rendered assistance to disaster stricken Texas. This video provides a brief snapshot as to what the Arkansas Guardsmen did during their deployment to various locations throughout southeast Texas. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen Wright)

The remaining Soldiers from Task Force Arkansas packed up and headed home on Sept. 13, after a two week deployment to Texas. The Task Force was sent to aid the Texas National Guard as assets from the Department of Defense rushed to provide assistance to the citizens of Texas in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The only Arkansas Guardsmen remaining in Texas are the members of the 61st Civil Support Team. They will continue to support relief efforts with local and state authorities. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

The remaining Soldiers from Task Force Arkansas packed up and headed home on Sept. 13, after a two week deployment to Texas. The Task Force was sent to aid the Texas National Guard as assets from the Department of Defense rushed to provide assistance to the citizens of Texas in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The only Arkansas Guardsmen remaining in Texas are the members of the 61st Civil Support Team. They will continue to support relief efforts with local and state authorities. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

Soldiers of the Arkansas National Guard, members of Task Force Aleutian, conducted damage assessments in the vicinity of Lumberton, Tex, just outside of Beaumont. The Damage Assessment Teams were sent out to analyze and estimate the extent of the damages caused by Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

Soldiers of the Arkansas National Guard, members of Task Force Aleutian, conducted damage assessments in the vicinity of Lumberton, Tex, just outside of Beaumont. The Damage Assessment Teams were sent out to analyze and estimate the extent of the damages caused by Hurricane Harvey. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

The Arkansas National Guard has deployed nearly 1,500 Soldiers and Airmen to disaster stricken Texas. One of the many missions of the Arkansas Guardsmen is to provide manpower and logistical support at relief depots. This video shows members of Task Force Aleutians, a smaller element of Task Force Arkansas, passing out essential household items to include food and water. (U.S. Army National Guard by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

The Arkansas National Guard has deployed nearly 1,500 Soldiers and Airmen to disaster stricken Texas. One of the many missions of the Arkansas Guardsmen is to provide manpower and logistical support at relief depots. This video shows members of Task Force Aleutian, a smaller element of Task Force Arkansas, passing out essential household items to include food and water. (U.S. Army National Guard video by Spc. Stephen M. Wright)

Soldiers of the Arkansas National Guard arrived at the Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, Ark. on Sept. 3 in response to requests for additional assets to be sent to Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey relief operations.

Members of the Arkansas Air National Guard joined emergency managers and first responders from around central Arkansas today, for an exercise in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. The scenario included a C-130 Aircraft from the 189th Airlift Wing and personnel from the Wing’s 189th Medical Group to assist in training response personnel on the various aspects of patient movement through the National Disaster Medical System. Students from North Little Rock High School played the role of medical patients being evacuated from the Louisiana Gulf Coast, as Guard personnel assisted in training the first responders on the procedures for loading and unloading litter patients onto their aircraft. The video includes approximately three and a half minutes of video B-Roll along with interviews with Maj. Paul Sherman, of the Arkansas National Guard’s 189th Medical Group, and Rex Oxner, with the VA Medical Center in Little Rock.