HARTFORD, CT - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has approved a request for the Connecticut National Guard to respond to North Carolina to assist with Hurricane Helene disaster response and relief efforts.

Major General Francis Evon, the commander of the Connecticut National Guard, has assigned the Connecticut Army National Guard’s 1-169^th Aviation Regiment to support this request. The unit is providing one CH-47 Chinook helicopter and a five-soldier flight crew for approximately one week to assist the State of North Carolina, the North Carolina National Guard, and its residents. The unit mobilized and deployed from Windsor Locks to North Carolina on Friday morning.

The deployment is occurring under the authorization of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a nationwide system for affected states to request lifesaving resources when the need arises. EMAC is implemented by the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security on behalf of the governor.

“This compact enables states to provide assistance to each other during times of emergency and crisis, and Connecticut stands ready to help our friends in North Carolina respond to the impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Governor Lamont said. “I am appreciative of all the members of the Connecticut National Guard for always being ready and willing to respond to emergencies at a moment’s notice, and I thank the 1-169^th Aviation Regiment for accepting this mission.”

“The Connecticut National Guard stands ready to serve our communities, as always, to assist and respond not just here at home in Connecticut but across the nation, especially in times of crises,” Major General Evon said. “We proudly join forces with our fellow National Guards to provide critical support when it is needed most. Our commitment to protecting and serving is unwavering and extends beyond Connecticut’s borders, ensuring the safety and resilience of our country when called upon, no matter the challenge.”

The 1-169^th Aviation Regiment’s mission is to mobilize and deploy to conduct Air Movement, Air Assault, MEDEVAC, Combat Support and Combat Service Support in support of Aviation operations throughout the designated area of responsibility. The unit is stationed in Windsor Locks at the Army Aviation Support Facility and most recently returned from a mission to Afghanistan in 2019-2020.