CONTACT: Eric Durr , 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186

FOR RELEASE: Sunday, Aug 31, 2008

LATHAM, NY (08/31/2008)-- The New York Army and Air National Guard are sending Helicopters, Soldiers and Airmen to aid the Louisiana National Guard in dealing with Hurricane Gustave recovery operations. On Sunday, August 31, New York governor David A. Paterson announced that two New York Air National Guard HH-60 Pavehawk rescue helicopters and 16 Airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing had already departed Gabreski Field Air National Guard Base in West Hampton Beach, Suffolk County. The governor also announced that on Monday morning, Sept.1, three CH-47 "Chinook" heavy-lift helicopters and three UH-1. "Huey" Medevac helicopters will leave the Army National Guard Flight Facility in Rochester for Meridian, Mississippi. "As Hurricane Katrina reminded us three years ago, we can never be too aggressive in our response preparation for natural disasters," said Governor Paterson. "New York is fortunate to have some of the most advanced equipment and well-trained personnel, and it is our duty to serve our fellow states." "New Yorkers have lived through disaster, and we appreciate the critical importance of Americans working together to help our fellow citizens. My thanks to these brave men and women, some of whom have recently returned from tours of duty, for once again leaving their families to answer their country's call," the governor said. Hurricane Gustav is expected to reach land on Monday. A State of Emergency has been declared in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas. The Louisiana National Guard requested the helicopters through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a national agreement which allows states to easily provide resources and personnel in disaster situations. The New York Air National Giard Pavehawks are a version of the UH-60 helicopter especially modified for long-range search and rescue missions. They can refuel in flight and are equipped with a rescue hoist. The unit flew missions in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and members of the 106th flew missions in Afghanistan last year doing long-range search and rescue. In addition to the Pavehawks, Governor Paterson directed three New York Army National Guard CH-47 "Chinook" helicopters and 19 soldiers to be deployed from Rochester Monday morning to Louisiana to assist in post-Hurricane Gustav recovery operations. The CH-47s are the largest helicopters operated by the Army. They are capable of carrying 30 passengers or 33,000 pounds of cargo internally. Each CH-47 requires a crew of three. The other Soldiers will provide maintenance and ground support. The soldiers and helicopters will leave the Army National Guard's flight facility at approximately 7 a.m. Monday morning and fly to a National Guard flight facility in Meridan, Mississippi. After the hurricane comes ashore the three New York CH-47s will conduct missions under the direction of the Louisiana National Guard. The Governor also directed the New York Army National Guard to send three UH-1 "Huey" Medevac helicopters and 16 soldiers to Louisiana Monday morning. These helicopters also responded to Hurricane Katrina, and are equipped with rescue hoists, and can hold stretchers and carry patients. They are expected to deploy at 7:30 a.m. on Monday. Some of the New York Army National Guard aviators deploying in support of hurricane recovery operations recently returned from a 10-month deployment in Afghanistan. While overseas they flew CH-47 missions in support of Coalition and U.S. Forces combat operations.