Missouri National Guard mobilized to assist in winter weather response

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has mobilized the Missouri National Guard in support of severe winter storm response.

"Your Missouri National Guard is once again ready to support the needs of Missouri citizens," said Maj. Gen. Stephen Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard. The Missouri National Guard is mobilizing approximately 600 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in the St Louis, Northwest and Southwest Missouri area this afternoon. The Missouri National Guard has also established liaison officers in Emergency Operation Centers in affected cities and counties. Units supporting the winter storm response include: 70th Troop Command, Jefferson Barracks; 35th Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood; 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kansas City; 139th Airlift Wing, St. Joseph; 1107th Aviation Group, Springfield; 131st Bomb Wing, St. Louis; 157th Air Operations Group, Jefferson Barracks; 239th Combat Communications Squadron, St. Louis; 203rd Engineer Battalion, Joplin; 175th Military Police Battalion, Columbia; 1175th Military Police Company, St. Clair and St. Louis; 2175th Military Police Company, Hannibal and Moberly; 220th Engineer Company, Festus, 276th Engineer Company, Pierce City, 1138th Military Police Company, West Plains and Springfield; 1141st Engineer Company, Kansas City; the 294th Engineer Company, Carthage and Anderson; 1139th Military Police Company and the 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Jefferson City.

Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen are mobilized to State Emergency Duty through an executive order by Gov. Nixon today. The Guardmembers are working in support of local authorities and will remain on mission as long as needed.

The Missouri National Guard has supported 18 State Emergency Duty missions since 2005, including winter storm, flooding and tornado response. The most recent mission was in June 2010 to assist with flooding response in Northwest Missouri. Winter weather State Emergency Duty missions historically include emergency route clearance, door-to-door safety visits, generator assistance and stranded motorist support.

"The leadership and Soldiers and Airmen of the Missouri National Guard are seasoned professionals," Danner said. "We will apply lessons learned from years of experience to help the citizens of Missouri."