12 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers going to Florida for Hurricane Michael relief with two Black Hawks

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- A team of 12 Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers are going to Florida to conduct relief operations in support of local authorities in response to Hurricane Michael.

Two UH-60 Black Hawk medevac helicopters with hoist capabilities from the Wisconsin Army National Guard flight facility in West Bend reported for state active duty October 10 to prepare for deployment to Florida.

“Assisting civil authorities during times of emergency is one of the core missions of the National Guard,” Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, said. “Our Soldiers and Airmen in the Wisconsin National Guard continue to demonstrate their professionalism, and they always stand ready to respond when called.”

The medevac unit brings an array of capabilities to the response, including medical treatment and transport as well as hoist capabilities that can pull individuals from areas cut off by high water.

Meanwhile, nearly 400 Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry are slated to deploy to Afghanistan this winter.