Fort Bliss Troops Ready To Aid Hurricane Victims

Fort Bliss soldiers are ready to leave for Fort Hood as part of Hurricane Laura relief efforts.

Fort Bliss officials have announced that Fort Bliss soldiers and equipment are being readied to leave for Fort Hood. From there, they will assist those affected by Hurricane Laura if asked to do so by FEMA.

According to KFOX-TV, 150 troops along with 8 UH-60 Blackhawks, powerful helicopters used for "lift missions" and medical evacuations among other things are being ordered to assist. The helicopters and associated personnel are all part of the 2-501st General Support Aviation Battalion of the 1st Armored Division.

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade Commander Col. Geoffrey A. Whittenberg said:

“The 1AD Combat Aviation Brigade, ‘Iron Eagles’ train to be ready for any mission, any time, any place. Whether the call is to deploy to a combat zone, or serve our fellow citizens here at home, we are ready,” - KFOXTV

The United States Army, (Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves members alike) routinely serve and assist during disasters here at home in the United States of American and in other troubled areas all over the world. The 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade raced in to help twice in 2017 during the aftermath of both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria.

The "Iron Eagles" are a relatively young unit, having first been constituted in 1986 and they were not always teamed with the 1st AD. That "union" occurred in 2011 when they were based in, and all their personnel moved to, Fort Bliss. (home.army.mil)