COLUMBUS — 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.” Read more from WHIO.
