SC National Guard Troops Deploy to Puerto Rico

Hopkins, SC (WOLO)–  South Carolina National Guard is sending 150 soldiers and about 60 vehicles to aid Puerto Rico in their disaster recovery efforts.

“You can only send so many people, especially to an area as small as Puerto Rico. The concern down there is that it’s so isolated and you don’t want to put so many people in there that you overwhelm their system and you create a burden versus help,” Army Maj. Gen. Robert E. Livingston said.  

The group deploying are all volunteers.  Lt. Thomas Kaiser will be one of the troops leaving on Sunday. He says it’s because of his South Carolina roots that he knows what it’s like having a natural disaster destroy his home.

“We’ve done this twice in two years now, and as somebody’s who was activated for both of those I can say that I’ve seen it, I’ve helped it. And I’m looking forward to helping these guys get through it because we all know what it’s like being from the Midlands and being from the coast. So, we’ve lived it,” Kaiser said. 

The Guard’s main focus of the trip is to clear roadways of debris, and repairing infrastructure where needed.

“Opening up emergency routes, so that we can get to everyone in Puerto Rico. and either supplies to them or get them out of areas they need to get out of,” Livingston said. 

The team will arrive on Monday, and all of their equipment will be shipped on a boat, which is expected to get there by the end of the week. Since this is the third hurricane this year, the National Guard is more than prepared.

“The way we’re setting up these teams is tried and true as far as what can affect the most change with the least amount of resources. How can we spread as thin as we can and still get what we need to get done?” Kaiser said. 

“We’re just proud to be able to have the opportunity to help them in this time of need,” Livingston said.  

Some of the soldiers are coming all the way from Virginia, and they’ll be taking off for Puerto Rico on Sunday night. They are unsure of when they will be returning. They are expecting to be there for about 30 to 60 days, but will stay longer

if needed.