Guard’s Civil Support Team Heading Home from Hurricane Ike Relief Efforts

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman said today that 17 members of a Joint Nebraska Army and Air National Guard team that deployed Sept. 12 in support of Hurricane Ike relief efforts in Texas will be returning to Nebraska this weekend.

“Our Guard members have done an excellent job helping people impacted by the Hurricanes,” Gov. Heineman said. “I want to thank the families, businesses, schools, and others that work with our Guard members when emergency situations arise.”

The Lincoln-based 72nd Civil Support Team (CST) is a joint Nebraska Army and Air National Guard team trained to support civil authorities in identifying hazardous materials and determining response measures. 

While in Texas, the National Guard’s 72nd CST assisted members of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the United States Coast Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency in identifying potential contamination brought about by Hurricane Ike in communities affected by the hurricane. The team also assisted Texas officials by augmenting existing communication capabilities.

Members of the 72nd CST deployed to Louisiana in 2005 to perform a similar role following Hurricane Katrina.

Four members of the team returned back to Nebraska earlier this week. The  remainder of the team are expected to depart Texas tomorrow morning and arrive back in Lincoln sometime on Sunday.