Minnesota Guardsmen to provide aide to Washington wildfire efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

August 7, 2021

ST. PAUL, Minnesota – The Minnesota National Guard’s St. Cloud-based C Company, 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion is sending a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter with hoist to Washington to provide medical evacuation support and aerial fire suppression to the firefighting efforts. Ten soldiers will be activated in support of this mission.  

Governor Tim Walz authorized the support following a request from Washington officials through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The compact allows a state to ask for resources based on their needs and while any state can respond, there is no obligation to participate.

“The Minnesota National Guard is ready to assist the state of Washington and help keep its people safe,” said Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General. “We take pride in being able to answer the call when another state requests support.”

The soldiers are expected to arrive Saturday and provide support for at least two weeks. The request for support could be extended depending on how fire containment continues.

– About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 soldiers and airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The citizen-soldiers and airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil.