South Carolina National Guard troops deployed to Florida amid Hurricane Milton

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)- Governor Henry McMaster (R) has directed the South Carolina National Guard to deploy troops to Florida as the state braces for Hurricane Milton.

The governor’s office said the deployment comes amid Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) request for emergency assistance.

“Hurricane Helene reminded us of the power of neighbors helping neighbors, and South Carolina is ready to stand with Florida in their time of need,” McMaster said, assuring that the deployment would not interfere with storm recovery efforts at home.

“The National Guard resources being deployed will not interfere with our own recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene and will still allow for our National Guard to deploy in South Carolina to prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Milton,” he added.

70 soldiers, 30 high-water vehicles, and two support vehicles from the 1051st Transportation Company in Varnville will be part of the South Carolina response team in Florida, according to the governor’s office.

The South Carolina Army National Guard and South Carolina State Fire will also send a Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team (HART) to assist the Florida National Guard in the aftermath of Milton. HART is a specialized search and rescue asset consisting of Black Hawk helicopters, Lakota helicopters, aircrew members, and rescue technicians from South Carolina Task Force 1.

Additionally, more than 60 soldiers from the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Headquarters will deploy to provide command and control for four battalions.

The deployment is part of a mutual aid agreement that allows states to share personnel, equipment, and resources during declared emergencies.

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