Nebraska National Guard soldiers going to Florida for Hurricane Milton response

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Several Nebraska National Guard soldiers and airmen are heading to Florida this week to help with Hurricane Milton response efforts.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is ordering the deployment of around 150 soldiers and airmen, who will leave for Florida at the end of the week.

Officials say the mission is in response to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact request from the State of Florida.

The mission is being coordinated through the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

“This was a powerful and dangerous storm, and it will require a strong, coordinated effort to begin the recovery,” Pillen said in a press release. “Nebraska is proud to support Florida and the resources from other states that are being brought to bear in assisting storm-impacted residents.”

The soldiers and airmen are coming from multiple units across the Nebraska National Guard and will gather at Camp Ashland before deployment.

They will then drive to Florida, where they will be tasked and relocated to “areas of need” as determined by the Florida National Guard and emergency response officials.

The soldiers and airmen are expected to be in Florida for about two weeks, officials said.

“Over the past several decades, the Nebraska National Guard has responded multiple time to requests from Gulf Coast states for assistance in responding the natural disasters caused by historic hurricanes,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Strong, Nebraska National Guard adjutant general and NEMA director. “As Florida prepares to respond to this unfolding natural disaster, the Nebraska National Guard is proud to provide assistance once again to our neighbors and friends in need.”