[Mil.com] A Ohio Air National Guard squadron is being deployed to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to help that U.S. territory in its continuing effort to recovery from earthquakes and aftershocks that devastated the island's southwestern coast in December 2019.Gov. Mike DeWine issued a proclamation Thursday authorizing specified members of the Ohio Air National Guard 200th RED HORSE (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer), headquartered out of Port Clinton, Ohio, with a detachment in Mansfield.
The unit is equipped to provide engineering, construction and logistics capabilities worldwide on short notice.
"I have authorized the mobilization of the Ohio National Guard to provide emergency assistance until basic services in the impacted areas are restored," DeWine said in a prepared statement.
"I have instructed Ohio's Adjutant General to take whatever actions are necessary to assist local authorities to protect the lives, safety, health, and property of citizens affected by these devastating earthquakes."
The 200th RED HORSE Squadron will support earthquake relief efforts by establishing two Disaster Relief Bed-down Systems, kits capable of providing basic housing and life support facilities such as tents, showers and latrines for up to 150 military personnel responding to the disaster.