National Guard responds to Hurricane Omar Published Oct. 16, 2008 By Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke National Guard Bureau Public Affairs ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- More than 90 National Guardmembers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are on duty Oct. 16 after Hurricane Omar passed through their area as a major Category 3 storm. "Take this very seriously," said Gov. John deJongh of the U.S. Virgin Islands Oct. 15 after he activated his National Guard, closed all public schools and imposed a 6 p.m., curfew for all islands. The National Hurricane Center said the core of the storm with the most intense winds passed between St. Martin and the U.S. Virgin Islands overnight. The storm knocked down trees, caused some flooding and minor mudslides, but there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage, Mark Walters, director of the U.S. Virgin Islands disaster management agency told the Associated Press. About 75 Guardmembers are providing communication support in St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John and transportation support on St. Croix with three Humvees and two 2.5-ton trucks. They also are manning shelters in St. Croix and St. Thomas. Aviation assets, including an OH-58 Kiowa and C-23 Sherpa, are flying reconnaissance and damage assessment missions over the three islands. National Guard officials said St. Croix is currently without power, and St. Thomas and St. John have no power on their north side. All of the islands are still being hit with heavy rain and strong winds. Puerto Rico, which was brushed by the storm, currently has 12 Guardmembers conducting command and control in the state's Joint Operations Center. On Oct. 15, two UH-60 Black Hawks from Puerto Rico were used to move rescue and medical personnel to the islands of Vieques and Culebra. One death was reported on Culebra. Authorities say a man collapsed from cardiac arrest while trying to install storm shutters to his house. Four C-130 Hercules from the 156th Airlift Wing in Puerto Rico were evacuated Oct. 15 with three going to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and one going to Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. Three are scheduled to return to the island today with the remaining aircraft following on Friday. Air National Guard officials are currently planning at least one mission on Friday to transport Meals Ready to Eat from Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The hurricane center reported this morning that the storm is moving toward the central Atlantic, away from the U.S. East Coast. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page