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Here Comes the Cavalry
Hurricane Idalia is going to be a storm for the records. At Category 2, Hurricane Gladys was the last hurricane to pass through this region of the Big Bend in 1968, just over 50 years ago. Hurricane Idalia will also be the first major hurricane over Category 3 to hit the Apalachee Bay region since 1851. Over 5,500 Florida National Guard Soldiers have been activated in response to this historic and rare event.
Of those called upon, the 1-153rd Cavalry Charlie Troop conducts a number of operations while deployed, including asset and property protection from looting, search and rescue, and distribution of much-needed supplies to communities in need. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the 1-153rd rescued approximately 125 civilians from flooded areas. The storm surge expected to come from Hurricane Idalia is approximately 7-11 feet, with even more unprecedented rainfall threatening low-lying areas with flash flooding.
The 1-153rd is ready, though. SSG Tanner Illian, an infantry squad leader with the 1-153rd reassures the people of the Big Bend, with this to say, “Everyone signed up for this. We're here for a reason. It's time to button up and do our job. We’re here to help
the general population by any means necessary.” Many soldiers under the supervision of SSG Illian also share this opinion. “I need to be prepared to be wherever I end up, it comes down to accomplishing search and rescue as fast as possible to save as many people as possible,” said Spc. Ander Sienra, an infantry scout in the 1-153rd. Saving lives, protecting life, and preserving life is the mission of many of these civilian soldiers who work hard to balance a busy life between the military and
the civilian world.
This responsibility to society within the individuals of the 153rd is reflected in this balance.“ Coming from a civilian standpoint, being in the guard as a soldier, we leave our families, but we make sure our families are being taken care of, and we come and do what we need to do to help the general population.” said SSG Illian. The responsibility to society is also reflected in Spc. Sienra, who is a Firefighter in the panhandle of Florida. Spc. Sienra is always on the move and expresses his readiness for whatever comes at him, “It's a much more fluid time in my life, and I have to be prepared for things to change on the fly.”
The 1-153rd is ready to do whatever is necessary to make a successful recovery after Hurricane Idalia possible for the Big Bend of Florida. The unit is committed to its mission and exemplifies the courage and strength required of civilian soldiers in a world in need of hearts and minds capable of extraordinary things.
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2023 11:01 |
| Story ID: | 452406 |
| Location: | TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Here Comes the Cavalry, by SPC Christian Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
