With Milton Threatening, Service Members Answer the Call

In advance of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall Wednesday evening, the Defense Department and other uniformed service members geared up, rehearsed and coordinated for a potentially catastrophic hurricane.

Hurricane preparation is an all-hands-on-deck effort, including storm tracking, relocation of equipment including ships and helicopters and search and rescue training.

From the skies, the Air Force’s Hurricane Hunters have been flying reconnaissance missions into the eye of the storm to track and gather critical data, working in coordination with hurricane specialists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“In Florida, more than 5,000 members of the Florida National Guard have been mobilized to prepare for recovery efforts from the imminent arrival of Hurricane Milton,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Oct. 8, 2024.

While members of the Florida National Guard deployed flood prevention equipment, U.S. Army North prepared high-water rescue vehicles, helicopters for search and rescue operations, force to support Federal Emergency Management search and rescue teams and medium-lift helicopters for moving personnel and equipment.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard cutters and Navy Seahawks and ships moved to safer areas ahead of Hurricane Milton’s anticipated landfall and began preparing for recovery efforts after the storm passes.

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In preparation for recovery efforts, soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Force Group, conducted search and rescue training exercises.

NOAA has issued storm surge warnings for large areas of both Florida’s west and east coasts.

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