Delaware assists Hurricane Maria recovery efforts

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other areas hit by the strength of Hurricane Maria last month have a long road to recovery, and Delawareans are pitching in as they can.

"Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico are suffering, and Delaware continues to stand ready to assist them," Gov. John Carney said in a press release. "We will continue to look for ways to send needed resources and personnel to help our fellow citizens in need."

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico Sept. 20 as a Category 4 storm with winds reaching more than 150 mph. The latest information shows 34 people died in the wake of the storm, the Associated Press reports, while many residents remain without power or access to clean water weeks after the devastation hit.

In late September, a Dover C-17 Globemaster III loaded with more than 100,000 pounds of food and water prepared to fly to Puerto Rico from Kelly Field, Texas.

“When Team Dover got the call, we answered,” said Col. Corey Simmons, 436th Airlift Wing vice commander. “If more calls keep coming, we will continue to answer.”

The Globemaster's mission follows three similar Puerto Rico relief efforts, including one C-5M and two C-17 missions that flew a combined load of more than 212,000 pounds of relief support.

For the last month, Dover Air Force Base has been ready to respond at a moment’s notice in support of hurricane relief efforts. Overall, the 436th Airlift Wing has transported 1.2 million pounds of cargo and more than 292 passengers in support of hurricane relief and associated presidential support missions, a press release stated.

Two Delaware National Guard C-130s and flight crews also recently returned from a five-day mission assisting with relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While deployed, Delaware National Guard airmen flew more than 60 hours and transported 100 personnel and more than 50 tons of cargo.

These two crews remain on duty and on standby, a press release states.

One mission to assist Puerto Rico involved delivering vehicles, generators, emergency aid personnel and medical equipment. This aircraft also rescued about 40 people stranded in Puerto Rico, and transported them safely to Savannah, Ga.

"The National Guard has the expertise in supporting the homeland, and this is just another example of citizen-soldiers and airmen at their best," said Maj. Gen. Carol Timmons, adjutant general at Delaware National Guard. "We are leaning forward as much as possible. We have hundreds of troops who are prepared and eager to answer the call."

Since the end of August, about 50 Delaware National Guardsmen and women have deployed to support the relief effort. At the end of August, the Delaware National Guard sent about a dozen soldiers and airmen to the National Guard Bureau to assist in staffing the NGB Joint Operations Center in communications, operations, intelligence, logistics and public affairs. The Delaware National Guard also launched a C-130 and flight crew to Texas. That team flew 11 sorties, transported 31 emergency aid personnel, more than 24 tons of cargo, and moved 183 people to safety.

The American Red Cross is still seeking donations for those affected by Hurricane Maria. To donate, go to www.redcross.org. To donate directly to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, go to www.unitedforpuertorico.com.