Press Secretary Details Military Aid to Colorado Flood Effort

You are subscribed to American Forces News Articles for U.S. Department of Defense. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Press Secretary Details Military Aid to Colorado Flood Effort 09/16/2013 07:42 AM CDT Press Secretary Details Military Aid to Colorado Flood Effort American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been monitoring the events in northern Colorado and commends the efforts of the active duty and National Guard personnel who have been tasked with supporting FEMA and Colorado's emergency management officials as the state copes with heavy flooding, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. In a statement released last night, Little noted that Hagel supported Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper's request Sept. 13 to establish a dual-status commander in the state. Since then, he added, Air Force Brig. Gen. Peter J. Byrne, joint staff director for the Colorado National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters, and his assigned forces of nearly 560 Colorado and Wyoming National Guardsmen have evacuated more than 2,100 residents. National Guard officers designated as dual-status commanders have the authority to command both federal and National Guard forces during a domestic response. In the absence of the designation, federal troops operating under "Title 10" authority report to one commander, and National Guard members serving under "Title 32" state active duty authority report to another. "Active duty forces, through the coordination and direction of U.S. Northern Command, are complementing these National Guard assets in the overall response to the flood relief efforts," Little said. "Seven helicopters from the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson have been conducting search-and-rescue operations under immediate response authority." Despite dealing with some tough weather, the press secretary said, 4th Infantry Division soldiers have rescued more than 700 residents, including 85 elementary school students at a camp near Jamestown. Buckley Air Force Base has been designated as a Federal Emergency Management Agency staging area. "This cooperative effort among active and reserve forces to protect lives in Colorado's flood-ravaged areas is a testament to the department's ability to provide critical and timely support to FEMA and first responders during a domestic crisis," Little said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those impacted by the events in Colorado and we hope for the continued safety for all emergency response personnel involved."   Biographies: Air Force Brig. Gen. Peter J. Byrne Related Sites: Colorado National Guard Wyoming Military Department   Defense Department News Through Facebook On American Forces Press Service's Facebook page, you can post comments and share news, photos and videos. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Forces-Press-Service/65137437532 or search for American Forces Press Service at Facebook.com. Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time by clicking on your 'User Profile' page at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDOD/subscriber/edit?preferences=true#tab1. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com. Have another inquiry? Visit the online FAQ at http://www.defense.gov/landing/questions.aspx for up-to-date information. Get the help you, your family, and fellow servicemembers need, when you need it. Visit www.WarriorCare.mil to learn more. Check out the National Resource Directory at www.nationalresourcedirectory.org, a new web-based resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them from the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of Defense. Visit us on the web at http://www.defense.gov/. Updates from the U.S. Department of Defense