COLUMBUS, Ohio (7/2/2012) — In response to severe storms and high winds that knocked out power June 29 across more than half of Ohio, Gov. John Kasich ordered a contingent of the Ohio National Guard to state active duty.
Dubbed Operation Guardian Comfort, about 200 Ohio National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were deployed to Franklin and Montgomery counties July 1-3. They went door-to-door to check on the health and welfare of residents in affected areas and provide them basic information and telephone numbers if they need assistance.
"Caring for our neighbors, lending a hand in our community where it's needed, is part of the Ohio National Guard's mission," said Maj. Gen. Deborah A. Ashenhurst, Ohio adjutant general. "Our members (were) especially looking to ensure senior citizens, young children and those with sensitive medical conditions (were) alright."
Soldiers and Airmen from the Ohio National Guard's Joint Task Force 16 provided personnel for the mission. Guard members canvassed areas identified by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency — in conjunction with other state agencies and county EMAs — to be most in need, based on factors including population, concentration of homes without power, as well as the number of self-reported residents who are elderly or may have medical conditions.
Initially, a joint force of about 150 Soldiers and Airmen worked in Franklin County and a group of about 50 Guard members were dispatched in Montgomery County, but by the end of the operation all 200 Guard members were working in designated areas within Franklin County.
"Operation Guardian Comfort is a mission which enables the Air and Army National Guard to fully embrace the Citizen-Solider side of the National Guard," said Lt. Col. Dave Brucker of the 178th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing in Springfield, Ohio.
Airmen from the 178th combined their efforts with Ohio National Guard Soldiers to check on an estimated 900 homes in Montgomery County, according to Maj. Justin Chapman, 178th ISRW mission operations officer.
"I was glad to be there for the people of Montgomery County," said Senior Airman Jeremiah Taylor, 178th Security Forces Squadron. "They were happy we were there."
EDITOR'S NOTE: 2nd Lt. Michael Gibson, 178th Fighter Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article. |
