Fort Dodge Guardsmen head to Louisiana
By BILL SHEA, Messenger staff writerMilitary truckers from a Fort Dodge-based Iowa Army National Guard unit are in Louisiana, preparing to help communities devastated by Hurricane Gustav.
The troops from Detachment 2 of the 2168th Transportation Co. arrived at Camp Minden, La., early Monday, according to Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, a spokesman for the Iowa National Guard.
He said they will stay at that camp, which is away from the main path of the storm, until it's safe to move into the hurricane area. They will transport equipment and relief supplies.
About 55 soldiers from the Fort Dodge detachment deployed. Altogether about 180 soldiers from the company, which also has units in Sheldon and Sioux City, went to Louisiana.
The company operates flatbed tractor-trailers.
The trucking detachment is a relative newcomer to Fort Dodge. It came to the city about two years ago as Iowa Army National Guard officers moved to expand the capabilities of the local field artillery unit and better distribute soldiers and equipment.
The detachment shares the readiness center on Webster County Road P56 with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net
|
VTwinJim
|
|
|---|---|
|
09-02-08 4:31 PM
|
big mac1 the last time I looked Louisiana was in the united states.
|
|
bigmac1
|
|
|
09-02-08 12:25 PM
|
You know, it's funny. When something like this happens in other countries, the United States is quick to offer any aide possible. Yet when it happens here, where are the other countries? We can take care of ourselves and should be doing that first. Let France or Russia help everyone else for a while.
|
|
Dejavue
|
|
|
09-02-08 7:41 AM
|
May they all remain safe during their temporary duty.
|