Louisiana guardsmen watch over city

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nicholas J. Sabula
  • Air Force News Agency
LAKE CHARLES, La. (AFPN) --  National Guard members here are providing vital roles of security and assistance in the face of Hurricane Ike's Sept. 12 strike on the Gulf Coast.

Members of the 3rd Battalion 156 Infantry with the Louisiana Army National Guard supported local law enforcement and other agencies dealing with the destruction caused by the hurricane. 

Many Soldiers were assigned to patrol locations that looters could target as authorities dealt with the hurricane's aftermath.

"We're providing a presence -- security -- like a preventive deterrence," said Army Cpl. Jody Mahaffey of Bravo Company. "Basically we have security on the pawn shops and pharmacies."

"Anything people would have access to and want to steal, we're here to prevent that," said Army Pfc. Kevin Farr of Bravo Company. 

The team initially were positioned in front of a downtown pharmacy and took up positions in full gear, brandishing weapons. The Soldiers arrived in Lake Charles Sept. 11 after providing support operations for Hurricane Gustav in New Orleans.

"We were on the levees when the storm rode in, monitoring it, making sure water didn't go over," Corporal Mahaffey said. "After that we provided roving patrols in Humvees, assisting the (New Orleans Police Department)," he said.

As Hurricane Ike approached, the Soldiers also provided a critical security role in a planned evacuation of more than 1,400 people -- many of them with special needs -- from the Lake Charles Civic Center Sept. 11 and 12 as the hurricane approached the Gulf Coast. As streets emptied the city began to resemble a ghost town with boarded-up windows and sparse numbers of people walking the streets.

The team took shelter as Ike blasted the city with wind, water and the threat of tornadoes touching down at any time. After the storm rolled over, guardsmen on security teams resumed patrols and turned their eyes to helping citizens in need. They transitioned into a recovery or rescue phase, while maintaining security on the empty streets.

One suspicious person was walking around looking at the back of a store, saw guardsmen and immediately departed the area.

When asked the biggest difference of security before and after the hurricane, Private Farr said while they're still guarding locations, patrols are out driving around making sure everyone can get out of their house OK.

"If there's people needing rescue or needing assistance -- that's our No. 1 priority," Private Farr said. "After that, we help with cleaning up --we're recording downed power lines, downed trees and pass this information on to the local authorities for action."

"We had four people and a couple of dogs who were trapped in some houses," Corporal Mahaffey said. "We drove down there in four-foot water all the way and managed to get them out safely, including a little girl with Down syndrome."

Both Soldiers said the outpouring of support from the community was something that impressed them.

"There's a lot of nice people around here," Corporal Mahaffey said. "A lot of people come by and ask us if we need anything."

"I live out in the country and I'm not used to big places like this, so it's a new experience," Private Farr said. "The people here have been really great. The greatest thing about doing what we do is being out here to support those people and make sure everyone is safe." 

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