Fort Liberty soldiers deploying to help with Hurricane Helene relief 

Editor’s note: This article was published as part of a content-sharing agreement between Army Times and The Fayetteville Observer. Military Times has edited the story for style and clarity.

President Joe Biden has directed the Department of Defense to deploy 1,000 active duty Army soldiers as part of a Fort Liberty-based infantry battalion task force in support of Hurricane Helene relief efforts, the White House announced Wednesday.

These soldiers are under the 18th Airborne Corps and include members of the 82nd Airborne Division and other Fort Liberty units, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement Wednesday.

The task force includes a forward support company with support structures like fuel, water and mechanics, a White House news release stated.

The Department of Defense announced Monday that a team for command and control for high water vehicles and air operations support for rotary wing aircraft has been established at Fort Liberty.

Eight Army helicopters and 10 Navy helicopters were at Fort Liberty, while 30 high-water vehicles were staged at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Ryder said Monday.

The White House news release stated that the infantry battalion task force is deploying in addition to DOD service members already supporting FEMA in response to Hurricane Helene, which includes:

• Army and Navy helicopters, soldiers and sailors helping move people and supplies.
• Army soldiers and high-wheeled vehicles to move people and supplies over damaged roads
• Air Force aircraft and airmen helping with search-and-rescue efforts.
• The Army Corps of Engineers supporting temporary power, water and wastewater management, bridge inspections and debris removal.

The North Carolina National Guard also has 700 of its Guardsmen supporting with debris removal, airlifts and search-and-rescue, while more than 6,000 National Guard personnel from 12 states are providing support to those affected by the natural disaster, the White House said.

FEMA and other agencies have more than 1,200 personnel in North Carolina, with more resources and staff arriving daily.

A team of 18 first responders from the Fayetteville Fire Department, Fayetteville Police Department and Cape Fear Valley EMS deployed to Brevard to assist with rescue missions, the city announced Friday.

During a press briefing Tuesday, Ryder said U.S. Northern Command is providing active duty support efforts to FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing emergency power planning and response teams.

In his statement Wednesday, Ryder said NORTHCOM commander Gen. Gregory Guillot appointed Brig. Gen. Charles Morrison of the North Carolina Army National Guard as the dual-status commander for North Carolina.

A dual-status commander is an officer who is allowed by law to command active duty and National Guard troops and serve in federal and state roles simultaneously, he said.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at [email protected] or 910-486-3528.