Missouri Guard conducts emergency missions as storms hit state

Citizen-Soldiers work to be mission-ready as snow blankets northwest Missouri. Spc. Aaron Smith and Sgt. Christopher Porter of Battery A, 1-129th Field Artillery in Albany, perform preventive maintenance on their five-ton cargo trucks in anticipation of a mission during the state emergency duty. (Missouri National Guard Photo)

A day after Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency, Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are conducting \emergency missions throughout the state.

As snow, ice, rain and high winds are found throughout the state, the Missouri National Guard has called up more than 600 service members spread over three task forces throughout the state, said Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of Missouri.

"Our force is seasoned by dozens of overseas deployments and 18 state emergency missions since 2005," Danner said. "Our Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are ready to protect their fellow Missourians in their time of need, whether they are conducting door-to-door safety visits or clearing critical paths for emergency vehicles so first responders can do their jobs."

Soldiers and Airmen with Task Force East, based in St. Louis, Task Force Northwest, based in Kansas City, and Task Force Southwest, based in Springfield, are conducting a wide range of emergency missions. These include door-to-door safety visits, critical infrastructure power generation, stranded motorist support, presence patrols, and emergency route clearance to support first responders.

The 1138th Military Police Company, which is serving with Task Force Southwest, is preparing for a mission in Bolivar, Mo., said company commander 1st Lt. Monte Davault.

""We were called by Polk County emergency management officials who have asked Missouri National Guard for assistance with health and wellness checks in anticipation of deteriorating weather conditions," Davault said.

Ten Soldiers with Detachment 1 of the 294th Engineer Company, based in Anderson, are staging from Pierce City as part of the 203rd Engineer Battalion's efforts. The area has experienced sleet and snow, said Staff Sgt. Rodney Cruse.

"The temperatures are not dropping, and there is currently no wind so we've got that going for us," Cruse said.

Spc. Blake Renuard, a member of Company A of the 1-138th Infantry Regiment who is serving with Task Force Northwest, said this mobilization is a chance to help people in a dangerous situation.

"I volunteered because it's what we signed up for - we are here to help our community and country," said Renuard, a third-generation Guardsman. "Also, I've been stranded out here in conditions like this with no help, so I wanted to be there to help them."

The units that have been called up for state emergency include:
70th Troop Command , of Jefferson Barracks; 175th Military Police Battalion, of Columbia; 1175th Military Police Company, of St. Clair and St. Louis; 2175th Military Police Company, of Hannibal and Moberly; 220th Engineer Company, of Festus; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, of Kansas City; 311th Brigade Support Battalion, of Lexington; 135th Signal Company, of Lexington; 129th Field Artillery Battalion, of Maryville; 1-138th Infantry, of Kansas City; 35th Combat Aviation Brigade, of Sedalia; 35th Infantry Division, of North Kansas City; 139th Airlift Wing of St. Joseph; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 35th Engineer Brigade, of Fort Leonard Wood; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 203rd Engineer Battalion, of Joplin; Forward Support Company, 203rd Engineer Battalion, of Joplin; 276th Engineer Company, of Pierce City; 294th Engineer Company, of Carthage and Anderson; the 1138th Military Police Company, of West Plains and Springfield; the 1139th Military Police Company, of Harrisonville; the Special Troops Battalion, Joint Force Headquarters Missouri, of Jefferson City; 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, of Jefferson City; and the Joint Operations Center Staff in Jefferson City.