Guardsmen assist in Northeast states battling floods Published April 1, 2010 By Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke National Guard Bureau ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- More than 1,500 National Guard members in three Northeast states are waging a war against rising flood waters after several days of rain combined with melting snow. Massachusetts officials have called up more than 900 Soldiers, including 116 Air Guardsmen, while Rhode Island and Connecticut officials have more than 500 and 150 on duty, respectively. Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick has authorized the mobilization of 1,000 Soldiers and Airman to support the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. Guardsmen already have filled and transported about 9,000 sandbags from the State Highway Department in Lexington, Mass., to points of distribution in Lexington, Tewksbury, Bridgewater and Millbury. Additional Soldiers and Airman called up for state active duty not only will continue to fill and transport sandbags to affected areas, they will conduct emergency evacuation operations, conduct presence patrols and provide security to isolated areas, according to a news release from the state. Currently, 21 National Guard trucks are headed to Fall River, Mass., to assist with evacuations in the Watuppa Pond area, and 6,000 sandbags are being delivered and emplaced in Middleboro, Blackstone and Concord. Guard officials said the Massachusetts Guard is prepositioned at strategic locations throughout the state and can provide communication support, transportation support, medical support, predictive flood modeling and maintenance sustainment support. "The men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard are eager to assist the citizens of the Commonwealth," said Army Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Carter, the adjutant general and commander of the Massachusetts National Guard. "The Commonwealth can rely on our diverse capabilities, our strategically located units, and our quick response during times of need." Army 2nd Lt. Danielle Golden, a platoon leader with the 125th Quartermaster Company, supervised Soldiers who were filling sandbags in Lexington. Lieutenant Golden, who normally works as a state corrections officer, said this is the first state mission she has participated in since joining the Guard. "Any Soldier who gets to be a part of a mission like this at least once is lucky," she said. Army Staff Sgt. Ross E. Bandy of the 272nd Chemical Company said, "I am a Navy veteran, and I have a friend in the Guard who helped out during the 2008 ice storm. After seeing him I thought I'd join and help some people out." Members of the Massachusetts' 79th Troop Command, located in Rehoboth, Mass., coordinated the movement of filled sandbags from Lexington to areas designated by Massachusetts EMA officials . The initial tasks MEMA officials assigned to the National Guard have been completed successfully, Guard officials said. Rhode Island Guardsmen have been tasked with assisting various state and local authorities with traffic control, evacuations and transportation. The Rhode Island Guard continues to work in close coordination with the Rhode Island EMA on where and when to position Guard personnel and equipment. All guard missions will be based on input from Rhode Island EMA officials who are closely monitoring the situation with all state and local agencies, according to a news release from the state. "We are an integrated emergency management agency; we're maintaining situational awareness. We are well linked with FEMA and (Department of) Homeland Security," said Army Maj. Gen. Robert T. Bray, the adjutant general and commander of the Rhode Island National Guard, at a press conference March 30. "Our main focus is safety and infrastructure, specifically to keep the main thoroughfares open." He added that the Guard activation would last for as long as necessary. "We are prepared to put personnel and equipment where they will be best utilized," he said. In Connecticut, Guardsmen are conducting high-water rescues and sandbagging operations, Guard officials said. (Staff Sgt. James Lally of the Massachusetts National Guard contributed to this report.)