Fort Bliss Personnel Headed For Puerto Rico

Black Hawk helicopters, normally used in an assault capacity, are going on a mission of mercy to help victims of Hurricane Maria.

About 120 Fort Bliss soldiers are being deployed to help with hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria's devastating landfall. 8 Blackhawk helicopters and their crews from the 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment will be deployed for 30-60 days. Others will be joining them, according to the El Paso Times:

Also preparing to go are about 50 soldiers from the brigade headquarters, including brigade commander Col. Jay Hopkins, and about two dozen soldiers from the 127th Aviation Support Battalion, Friar said.

Its sister unit, the 2-501st, recently led a task force of about 300 soldiers who helped with relief efforts in East Texas after Hurricane Harvey. The 2-501st also is prepared to go to Puerto Rico, if called upon, to take some of its Chinook helicopters, but it was not included in the troop estimate for this mission. Chinooks also can be used to transport supplies and people.

If you would like to donate items to help Puerto Rico, click here for dropoff locations.