January 31, 2009

Missouri Guard response increases to support continued need

Jefferson City -- In order to support the needs of communities in southeast Missouri, Gov. Jay Nixon has increased the Missouri National Guard support to 300 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen working in ten counties.

"The service of our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in Southeast Missouri continues to be invaluable in this recovery effort," said Gov. Jay Nixon, who is visiting the area again today.

The Guardsmen are supporting local authorities in a wide range of missions throughout the region of ten severely affected counties. 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.

"While Missourians continue to be affected by this devastating storm, your Missouri National Guard works alongside communities to help citizens get the help they need," said Brig. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general for the Missouri National Guard. "Gov. Nixon and I are traveling to some of the affected areas again today as we work with a variety of state and local agencies to provide the needed response."

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.