Colo. National Guard members return to base after securing communities during Spring Fire

Photo By John Rohrer | U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Colorado National Guard members provide roving security patrols to assist with the enforcement of road closures July 4, 2018, through Huerfano County, Colorado. The Soldiers safeguarded travelers and protected homes threatened by the Spring fire. The team arrived July 2. The CONG has supported the Spring Fire since July 1, 2018, providing capabilities to include: security personnel for traffic control points and roving patrols; two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews and aircraft each equipped with aerial water buckets; geological information system operators; as well as, refueling crews with Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical refueling trucks and firefighters with HEMTT firefighting vehicles. The CONG has been providing an aviation search and rescue standby capability in support of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center since July 1. The High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site facility in Gypsum, Colorado, is supporting the mission which is rapid response to aviation search and rescue missions, primarily for firefighter safety, in support of multiple wildfire responses throughout Colorado. On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force - Centennial commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Master Sgt. John Rohrer)  

CENTENNIAL, COLORADO, UNITED STATES

07.16.2018

Courtesy Story

Colorado National Guard

The Spring Fire incident commander released the remaining 30 Colorado National Guard members, who helped local law enforcement protect residents and property and evacuate communities during the Spring Fire, one of the largest wildfires in Colorado history.

During the fire, nearly 100 Soldiers and Airmen provided traffic control points, evacuated-area escort, and roving patrols in Huerfano and Costilla counties.

“I’m proud of the professionalism of our security personnel,” Director of the Joint Staff U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Gregory White, the commander of Joint Task Force – Centennial, said. “The state’s ability to use Colorado National Guard members to support local law enforcement in safeguarding our communities proved pivotal during this emergency.”

Participating units included the 193rd Military Police Battalion and 220th Military Police Company, both based in Denver, the 188th Forward Support Company, based in Pueblo, and the 140th Security Forces Squadron, based at Buckley Air Force Base, Aurora.

The first of the teams arrived July 2, 2018, and conducted security missions through July 11, with the follow-on teams serving from July 3-13. CONG members alleviated certain police and sheriff requirements, so that civilian law enforcement personnel could focus on crime and higher level enforcement matters.

The Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office deputized CONG members assigned to military police and security force units July 4.

The CONG continue to support all the wildfires in Colorado by providing standby search and rescue capabilities to the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center though the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site in Gypsum, Colorado.

On order of the Governor, the standing Joint Task Force – Centennial, led by Brig. Gen. White, commands and integrates CONG forces to support civil authorities in assisting Colorado, or supported states, during times of crisis and disaster, to save lives, prevent suffering, and mitigate great property damage.

For information about CONG support to the Spring Fire, go to: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/Springfire, www.Twitter.com/SpringFire2018, www.Facebook.com/SpringFire2018

For the Colorado National Guard, visit www.co.ng.mil, Twitter @CONG1860, or Facebook @CONG1860.
Also follow #SpringFire #SpringCreekFire and #cofire.

• Date Taken: 07.16.2018
• Date Posted: 07.16.2018 17:35
• Story ID: 284473
• Location: CENTENNIAL, COLORADO, US