National Guard deployed to help in Texas

HARTFORD » Connecticut has deployed a C-130H cargo plane and eight Airmen from the 103rd Airlift Wing of the Connecticut National Guard to help with Hurricane Harvey response and recovery efforts in Texas.

The unit, which departed from the Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby Monday afternoon, includes C-130H pilots, crewmembers, loadmasters, and maintainers, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.

“We know what it’s like to experience extreme weather events, and we know how vital it is for local and state governments to work together and provide as-

sistance during times of natural disasters or other emergencies,” Malloy said in a release. “I thank our Connecticut Air National Guardsmen for taking on this mission to give Texas

aid during this great time of need.”

Connecticut stands ready to provide support in the ongoing response and recovery efforts, the governor said.

“The growing emergence of extreme weather events has transformed the way we respond to emergencies and is a key reason why we must continue strengthen-

ing our infrastructure to withstand the types of catastrophic storms that we’ve experienced in recent years,” he said.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman thanked those deploying to Texas as well as their families.

“Connecticut knows firsthand how important additional support and resources

are during storm recovery,” she said in the release. “This mission will render assistance and bring critical supplies to the people of Texas – and remind them that Connecticut is with them and stands ready to help.”

Major General Thaddeus J. Martin, adjutant general and commander of the Connecticut National Guard, said

thoughts and prayers are will all who are suffering the effects of Harvey.

“Even on the heels of the unit’s first large-scale, overseas deployment, the 103rd Airlift Wing – and the entire Connecticut National Guard – stands ready to aid the men and women of this nation anytime, anywhere,” he said in the release.

Less than two months ago, more than 200 members of the 103rd Airlift Wing returned from a deployment that sawthe unit stationed at multiple locations throughout Southwest Asia, supporting Expeditionary Combat Support operations that included tactical airlift, maintenance, security and logistics support.