Tennessee National Guard Activated in Wake of Tornadoes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – More than 160 Tennessee National Guardsmen are aiding communities that were most impacted after multiple tornadoes ravaged central Tennessee overnight March 2.
Soldiers and Airman from multiple units have been activated to support recovery operations:
- Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Cookeville, are conducting multiple missions alongside law enforcement and local first responders in impacted areas of Putnam County.
- Airmen from the 118th Wing, based in Nashville, deployed two generators to Gainesboro in Jackson County to restore power to a water treatment facility.
- Soldiers from the 230th Sustainment Brigade, based in Chattanooga, and Airman from the 118th assisted in distribution of essential relief items to impacted communities in Nashville.
- Soldiers from the aviation battalion of the 30th Troop Command, based in Nashville, are conducting damage assessment and recovery operations via UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
- The Tennessee National Guard has activated the Joint Operations Center located at Joint Force Headquarters to expedite requests for assistance from civilian emergency management agencies.
“The Tennessee National Guard has over 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen and we are prepared to activate every single one of them if our help is needed,” said Maj. Gen. Jeff Holmes, Tennessee Adjutant General. “The Tennessee National Guard is always ready and willing to help our fellow Tennesseans in any way that we can.”
The Tennessee National Guard will continue to work with local and state emergency management officials to assist in recovery efforts and will regularly provide public updates. Please follow the Tennessee National Guard’s social media accounts for continued updates and information: @TennesseeGuard.
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct search, rescue and restore missions March 4, in Cookeville’s most impacted areas following severe weather earlier that week. Tornadoes ravaged central Tennessee overnight March 2, killing at least 24 people from Nashville to Cookeville. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Art Guzman)
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct search, rescue and restore missions March 4, in Cookeville’s most impacted areas following severe weather earlier that week. Tornadoes ravaged central Tennessee overnight March 2, killing at least 24 people from Nashville to Cookeville. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Art Guzman)
Soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard’s 45th Civil Support Team assess damages March 5, following severe weather that week. Tornadoes ravaged central Tennessee overnight March 2, killing at least 24 people from Nashville to Cookeville. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro)
Tennessee National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 230th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Chattanooga, and Airmen assigned to the 118th Airlift Wing, based in Nashville, work alongside volunteers March 8, to prepare food for victims in a neighborhood affected by recent tornadoes in East Nashville. The severe storms caused major damage in central Tennessee last Monday, killing at least 24 from Nashville to Cookeville. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro)
Tennessee National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 230th Sustainment Brigade, headquartered in Chattanooga, and Airmen assigned to the 118th Airlift Wing, based in Nashville, work alongside Metro Nashville Police Department March 8, to bring food, water and supplies to victims in a neighborhood affected by recent tornadoes in East Nashville. The severe storms caused major damage in central Tennessee last Monday, killing at least 24 people from Nashville to Cookeville. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Cordeiro)