1-153rd Cavalry to the rescue

Photo By Staff Sgt. Leia Tascarini | Florida National Guard Soldier, Staff Sgt. James R. Lang, 1-153rd Cavalry Squadron, Troop B, Pensacola, Fla., talks to a local citizen while directing traffic through a fueling area during Hurricane Michael disaster relief, Panama City, Fla., Oct. 14, 2018. Troop B is a part of a larger squadron providing humanitarian assistance, safety presence patrols and debris removal from roads. Units from all over the state of Florida have responded to the relief effort and will continue to respond until the communities affected by Hurricane Michael are on the road to recovery.  

FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

10.13.2018

Story by Sgt. Debra Cook 

107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

For the military, protecting each other is how true safety and security is achieved. In combat, teamwork is survival, and can instill enough comfort and confidence in a solider to get up and face another day. It is with that same spirit the Florida National Guard’s 1st Squadron, 153rd Cavalry Squadron, comes to the streets of Panama City during Hurricane Michael.

The Soldiers gathered around a whiteboard outside the Panama City Police Department, October 14. Together they strategized how Troop A and Troop B command cells would be used to help the civilians throughout Clay County start rebuilding their homes and their lives.

“On this map is Panama City Proper,” said Cpt. Jonathan Reuter, Troop Commander for Troop A, 1-153rd Cavalry Squadron, “We are taking the north and Bravo Troop is taking the south.”

The Florida National Guard’s 1-153rd troops are throughout the entirety of Panama City working with the city manager with a goal to alleviate as much work as possible for law enforcement so they can focus on the more serious incidences. They help get areas stabilized and work with departments of public works for the county, do route clearance and provide security to the Point of Distribution locations.

Patrolling a neighborhood on the north side, one of the teams identified a cul-de-sac of people trapped in their homes from fallen trees.

“Twenty people and animals were trapped inside,” said Florida National Guard 1st Lt. Jeb DeVault, Executive Officer for Troop A. “We were able to coordinate with the combat engineers for assets to get the trees chopped apart and get the people out of their houses and lead the civilians and their animals to safety.”

“We provide more than security.” Reuter said. “There’s people that are hurting and people that need supplies. We don’t just bypass people to be a presence. We engage directly and help people who need it. As long as it’s within the scope of our duties, we’re going to help these people.”

• Date Taken: 10.13.2018
• Date Posted: 10.15.2018 10:30
• Story ID: 296441
• Location: FLORIDA, US