'Always ready and prepared to serve': Nebraska National Guard sends troops to Washington County disaster areas
The National Guard says the airmen will serve in a law enforcement capacity.
The National Guard says the airmen will serve in a law enforcement capacity.
The National Guard says the airmen will serve in a law enforcement capacity.
The Nebraska National Guard is deploying troops to areas impacted by the tornadoes in Washington County. The Washington County Sheriff's Office asked for security personnel to help with law enforcement.
Guard troops are currently working with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the Omaha Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol in damaged neighborhoods in Douglas County. The National Guard says because Washington County is more rural, and has more widespread areas of damage, the troops deployed there will function in a law enforcement capacity. They will be armed.
Thirty-one Airmen with the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Security Forces Squadron began operations in Washington County designated areas Sunday. They will help with controlled vehicle access and traffic management at four locations. The troops will also conduct roving security patrols.
The National Guard says their mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone and to augment local law enforcement with peace-keeping measures when necessary.
"The 155th Security Forces Squadron is a highly trained and professional unit skilled in military police and security forces tactics", says U.S. Air Force Maj. David Strom. "We remain always ready and prepared to serve our nation and the citizens of Nebraska whatever the need.”