February 1, 2009
Gov. Nixon adds additional Soldiers and Airmen to southeast Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY -- Gov. Jay Nixon has increased the number of Missouri National Guard members in southeast Missouri to 365 Soldiers and Airmen working in ten counties. Gov. Nixon went to Kennett, Caruthersville and Poplar Bluff on Saturday (Jan. 31) to assess the damage and speak with local and state officials responding to the ice storm of Jan. 26-28. On Thursday, the Governor made a similar visit to Sikeston.
Gov. Nixon is briefed by emergency personnel upon his arrival in Poplar Bluff.
The Guardsmen are supporting local authorities in a wide range of missions throughout the region. These missions include route clearance, door-to-door wellness visits and transportation support in Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Stoddard, Scott, Howell and Wayne Counties.
"When I visited the area with Gov. Nixon again yesterday, I saw, firsthand, our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen helping the communities of southeast Missouri," said Brig. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general for the Missouri National Guard.
Missouri National Guard units supporting the mission are 35th Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood; 1138th Engineer Company, Farmington; Headquarters Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion, Cape Girardeau; 880th Engineer Company, Perryville; Forward Support Company 1140th Engineer Battalion, Cape Girardeau; 205th Military Police Battalion, Poplar Bluff; 735th Quartermaster Company, DeSoto, Poplar Bluff, Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau, Rolla and Jefferson Barracks; 220th Engineer Company, Festus; 935th Aviation Support Battalion, Springfield; 276th Engineer Company, Monett and Pierce City; 294th Engineer Company, Carthage and Anderson; 1138th Military Police Company, West Plains and Springfield; 1137th Military Police Company, Kennett, Jackson and Doniphan; 1175th Military Police Company, St. Clair and St. Louis; 1035th Maintenance Company, Jefferson Barracks; 1140th Military Police Company, Fulton and Columbia; 131st Fighter Wing, St. Louis and Joint Force Headquarters, Jefferson City.
The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen were mobilized under the authority of Gov. Nixon on Wednesday. The Guardsmen will stay on duty until relieved by the governor and local authorities.
For more information about this state emergency duty or the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com.