WEBVTT 00:05.465 --> 00:07.643 - To many, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a vacationer's 00:07.643 --> 00:10.241 paradise, but recent storms have left trails 00:10.241 --> 00:12.741 of destruction in their paths. 00:12.998 --> 00:15.359 Recent Hurricanes Irma and Maria absolutely 00:15.359 --> 00:17.315 devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands. 00:17.315 --> 00:19.629 In response, the Mississippi Army National Guard 00:19.629 --> 00:23.796 sent over 100 soldiers to assist in relief efforts. 00:24.355 --> 00:27.081 A logistical task force comprised of soldiers 00:27.081 --> 00:28.921 from throughout the state was created 00:28.921 --> 00:31.836 to support the U.S. Virgin Islands. 00:31.836 --> 00:36.003 - The 298th CSSB was called upon to create a task force 00:36.137 --> 00:38.664 to respond to disaster relief efforts 00:38.664 --> 00:41.664 in the United States Virgin Islands. 00:41.666 --> 00:43.248 - [Jovi] Mississippi was one of many states 00:43.248 --> 00:45.904 to send guardsmen to aid the U.S. Virgin Islands. 00:45.904 --> 00:47.555 These partnerships fall under an emergency 00:47.555 --> 00:50.722 management assistance compact or EMAC. 00:51.060 --> 00:54.049 - Right now, I've counted out about 32 states 00:54.049 --> 00:56.572 that have provided assistance to the Virgin Islands 00:56.572 --> 01:00.739 National Guard in support of our hurricane recovery efforts. 01:01.069 --> 01:02.594 - [Jovi] Although there was only a handful 01:02.594 --> 01:04.128 of soldiers from Mississippi, they were 01:04.128 --> 01:07.153 well represented throughout the islands. 01:07.153 --> 01:09.671 - We provided support from the flight line, 01:09.671 --> 01:12.664 where the commodities came in, all the way out 01:12.664 --> 01:14.478 to the point of distribution, where they were handed 01:14.478 --> 01:17.793 off to the citizens of the Virgin Islands. 01:17.793 --> 01:19.934 - [Jovi] The soldiers of Task Force Crazy Train provided 01:19.934 --> 01:22.096 many forms of logistical support including 01:22.096 --> 01:25.570 commodities staging, transportation operations, 01:25.570 --> 01:29.089 distribution operations, maintenance support, 01:29.089 --> 01:31.506 and fuel resupply operations. 01:32.921 --> 01:34.632 The commodities coming into the airfields 01:34.632 --> 01:37.332 were first handled by service members. 01:37.332 --> 01:40.999 - We're loading two pallets on 18-wheeler beds 01:40.999 --> 01:44.961 to get shipped out to the POD sites on the islands, 01:44.961 --> 01:49.128 so we can get the islanders and the locals their food. 01:51.659 --> 01:53.464 - [Jovi] Mississippi guardsmen also helped 01:53.464 --> 01:56.090 to transport the supplies around the islands. 01:56.090 --> 01:58.492 - Since we've been here, we've transported over 01:58.492 --> 02:01.685 half a million meals, close to 300,000 bottles of water, 02:01.685 --> 02:04.384 30,000 tarps to every corner of the island 02:04.384 --> 02:06.487 in support of the locals here. 02:06.487 --> 02:08.187 - [Jovi] After being delivered, the commodities 02:08.187 --> 02:09.679 were handed out to local residents 02:09.679 --> 02:13.012 at points of distribution, or POD sites. 02:13.430 --> 02:15.741 In order to be successful in distribution operations, 02:15.741 --> 02:18.399 a lot of maintenance had to be done. 02:18.399 --> 02:19.645 - Maintenance is very important. 02:19.645 --> 02:23.000 Without proper maintenance conducted on equipment 02:23.000 --> 02:25.359 then we lose combat power to the fight, 02:25.359 --> 02:28.026 or in this case, relief support. 02:30.269 --> 02:32.979 We conducted maintenance just about on every aspect 02:32.979 --> 02:35.043 from putting engines in like you see here 02:35.043 --> 02:37.672 to doing technical inspections to doing something 02:37.672 --> 02:39.622 as simple as a battery replacement. 02:39.622 --> 02:42.372 - See it all, I can deliver that. 02:43.140 --> 02:45.133 - [Jovi] Task Force Crazy Train was also supporting 02:45.133 --> 02:49.300 operations by fueling equipment around the islands. 02:49.575 --> 02:52.146 - It makes me feel great knowing I'm part of the recovery 02:52.146 --> 02:55.120 effort, and I can actually make difference around here 02:55.120 --> 02:57.807 and especially training the new guys. 02:57.807 --> 02:59.974 You take the indicator ... 03:00.537 --> 03:01.952 - [Jovi] During the time the guardsmen 03:01.952 --> 03:03.815 were on the islands, they completed many tasks 03:03.815 --> 03:06.898 vital to hurricane relief operations. 03:07.255 --> 03:10.105 - I am grateful for the extended family, 03:10.105 --> 03:13.821 all the guardsmen that came in and just jump right in, 03:13.821 --> 03:15.618 I mean, if it wasn't for the patches, 03:15.618 --> 03:18.100 nobody would know cause we are all representing 03:18.100 --> 03:19.675 the military and representing it well. 03:19.675 --> 03:22.115 - This is Calypso Ops, radio check, over. 03:22.115 --> 03:24.094 - [Radio Operator] Calypso Ops, this is 116 St. Croix, 03:24.094 --> 03:25.595 I can hear you loud and clear, over. 03:25.595 --> 03:28.990 - I mean this has really been a good story for the guard. 03:28.990 --> 03:31.263 It tells why the guard needs to be in each 03:31.263 --> 03:35.275 and every community, and it also shows how the EMAC process 03:35.275 --> 03:38.525 works effectively and brings the forces 03:39.326 --> 03:42.178 that's required because Virgin Islands National Guard 03:42.178 --> 03:44.345 by itself could not do it. 03:45.220 --> 03:47.031 - [Jovi] From taking food off the supply planes 03:47.031 --> 03:49.329 to putting it into the hands of those needing it, 03:49.329 --> 03:52.105 soldiers of Task Force Crazy Train were involved 03:52.105 --> 03:54.149 in virtually every part of hurricane relief 03:54.149 --> 03:56.316 operations on the islands. 03:57.659 --> 04:00.034 - Reporting for the 102nd Public Affairs Detachment, 04:00.034 --> 04:02.284 I'm Specialist Jovi Prevot.