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Scott Guard Wing fights flood waters

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jennifer Howsare
  • 126th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Nearly 400 Illinois National Guard troops recently established a second Joint Task Force in Alton, Ill., to continue efforts battling the waters of the Mississippi. The Alton JTF-South became the nerve center for flood relief operations throughout Southern Illinois. 

More than a week ago, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich mobilized members of the Illinois National Guard to state active duty in efforts to keep the Mississippi River within its banks and levees. As the days passed and water levels continued to rise, Governor Blagojevich, working with Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Illinois National Guard Adjutant General, activated more than 1,400 Soldiers and Airmen from various Army and Air National Guard units throughout the state. 

Initial concern was for Quincy and the surrounding areas in Northern Illinois. With Illinois National Guardsmen positioned in and around Quincy, nearly nine million sandbags were filled and numerous protective walls built as civilian authorities watched and waited for the mighty Mississippi to flow through. Once confident the risk to Northern Illinois had passed, the governor quickly turned his focus to areas in the southern part of his state and forward deployed Guardsmen and resources to the Alton JTF-South. 

As civilian authorities and senior Illinois National Guard staff watched daily river crest and weather predictions, decisions were made on where to focus Guardsmen and other resources. With a strong need for support in the Hamburg, Ill. area, the majority of Illinois National Guard troops were temporarily housed in the Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville, Ill. This logistical decision allowed a quicker response time for both daily operations and any required emergency responses. 

Jim Fortner, Mayor of Hamburg, had sent out a plea for help when he realized how
overwhelming the flooding could be for his town. The Illinois National Guard answered his call when they arrived and began working next to the citizens of Hamburg. 

"The Guard has really stepped up...I think without their help and support, we would still be struggling just to stay above the water," said Mr. Fortner. 

Even though operations are now fairly dispersed along the Western Illinois border, the stories and efforts of dedication to duty and appreciation remain the same. Jill Thurston, a reporter for the Jersey County Journal and Calhoun Herald and a local resident, was happy to see the National Guard troops at the high school. 

"You guys don't know how much everyone appreciates you being here," said Ms. Thurston. 

She said the local population was worn out from flood relief efforts and the Illinois National Guard convoys rolling into town were a welcomed site. 

To show their appreciation for the Illinois Guardsmen in their area, the Jerseyville Chamber of Commerce offered free admission, with military identification, to the State Street Music Festival. The annual event is held each year in June and includes food, music and entertainment. A chamber official stated that this was a way to show how thankful they were for the Illinois National Guard presence in their community. 

Many Guardsmen realized the poignancy of their flood relief efforts after spending nearly a week on duty. 

"I feel like we're doing what the Guard is intended to do," said Tech. Sgt. Robin Warner. "All of the local civilians are so appreciative and I feel like we're really making a difference." 

Sergeant Warner is a paralegal with the 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., and this is her first call to state active duty. Sergeant Warner initially spent time in Quincy building sandbags and was then reassigned to Jerseyville as a Quick Response Force member. The QRFs are in place to ensure a rapid response is available for any emergency situation, 24 hours-a-day. 

Illinois Army Guard Spc. Robert Rhinberger, a Soldier with the 44th Chemical Battalion
Headquarters and Headquarters Company in Macomb, Ill., talked about seeing positive results after a hard day's work. Specialist Rhinberger said the morale of the troops was high and although they were exhausted, they were enjoying the physical work. 

Many Soldiers and Airmen shared stories of the generosity of local civilians in the affected communities. Members of the Adam's County Health Department provided food for several days to Guard members working extended shifts. Farmers and their families ran continuous supplies of food and water to Guardsmen and other volunteers working along the levees. A Jerseyville woman donated a set of sheets and pillows to Guardsmen staying at the JCHS and locals constantly waved at troops traveling along to levee sites and thanked them for their help. 

The National Guard is the only military component with a dual-role mission. One mission is a state mission, such as the current flooding relief efforts throughout the state of Illinois and the Midwest, and falls under the direction of the state's governor. The other mission is federal and falls under the direction of the President of the United States. These missions include overseas tours of duty and support of the Global War on Terror.