National Guard team leaving Joint Base for Texas flood rescues

Twelve Army and Air National Guard members leave Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst this morning, bound for Texas to join flood rescue efforts in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Harvey.

Governor Chris Christie, Tuesday, approved the Emergency Management Assistance Compact request. Four pilots and four crew chiefs in the Army National Guard, and four Air National Guard rescue specialists, are assigned.

The contingent is due to arrive in Dallas Friday, with two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, one equipped with a rescue hoist and related gear. It follows quickly on the heels of the Governor's Sunday night approval to send New Jersey Task Force 1 to Texas.

According to information from Christie's office, the National Guard Bureau asked state leaders to start contingency planning for deployment of a brigade combat team, part of a multi-state task force, if Texas officials request.

"With real-life experience and top-notch training, the emergency response members from our Joint Base and our State Police are invaluable resources that will help lift Texas out of the devastation and despair caused by Hurricane Harvey," Christie said in prepared comments.

"I will continue to make good on my promise to authorize and deploy every available resource possible for the tens of thousands of disaster victims who need rescuing, and who will need our recovery assistance in the days and weeks ahead."