Hurricane Milton has prompted one of the largest multi-agency activations in Florida National Guard history. The Florida Air National Guard (FLANG) mobilized over 900 Airmen to prepare for and respond to the storm, which required significant coordination among various teams.
Airmen played vital roles in joint operations centers, search and rescue missions, and route clearing. They worked alongside Army counterparts in continuous operations to assist Floridians affected by the hurricane.
Tech Sgt. Britney Pinson, an intelligence analyst with the 101st Air and Space Operations Group, emphasized her commitment: “With the hurricane hitting my hometown, it signifies why I joined the Air National Guard in the first place.”
The FLNG has been refining its disaster response capabilities over time. Each activation brings new lessons that enhance their ability to provide assistance effectively.
Lt. Col. Pete Rogell from Florida Joint Force Headquarters noted, “We are some of the first ones out there removing debris with our route clearance teams opening up for emergency response vehicles.” He highlighted Hurricane Milton's unique challenges due to full integration at all operational levels.
Specialized units like the 202nd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers Squadron were crucial in clearing routes and enabling relief efforts. Their work ensured communities could access necessary resources quickly after being cut off by debris.
Pinson reflected on her experience working closely with Army personnel: “Seeing that filter of taskings and mobilizations is something that I hadn't seen before... Working with the Army has been great.”
As post-storm operations continue, FLANG remains committed to supporting affected citizens across Florida.