OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma National Guard members with 90th Troop Command’s Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, provided relief efforts for North Carolina residents following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

"This mission was about helping our fellow Americans in their time of greatest need,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Mancino, adjutant general for Oklahoma. “I couldn’t be prouder of our Soldiers’ readiness to support the citizens of North Carolina. Their dedication represents the very best of our service.”

The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management submitted an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request to the Oklahoma National Guard for one CH-47 Chinook helicopter with hoist equipment and aircrew to support Task Force South in Greenville, South Carolina.

“We got the call and some of us came in on Saturday to prep the helicopter,” said Staff Sgt. Ivan Diaz, a crew member on the mission. “As soon as they called, we were ready to go and looking forward to the opportunity to help.”

The helicopter and its crew of Oklahoma Guardsmen arrived in Greenville, South Carolina on October 6, 2024. While on ground, the team moved more than 97,000 pounds of equipment including generators, fuel, hay, food, water, clothing, blankets and more over the course of 18 days.

The CH-47’s heavy-lift capabilities make it ideal for missions similar to this since the helicopter can quickly move large loads rapidly.

The crew, composed of highly skilled pilots, flight engineers, and support personnel, worked closely with federal, state, and local authorities to coordinate relief missions, while another group of Soldiers supported the mission back in Oklahoma.