Saturday, September 03, 2005

By JOHN THOMPSON
NET News Service

Several National Guard units in the Tri-Cities region are being mobilized to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

Col. Jim Wells said the 176th Maintenance Battalion headquarters, the 730th Quartermaster Company in Johnson City, and the 776th Maintenance Company in Elizabethton and Mountain City will deploy this weekend for Camp Shelby, Miss.

It was not known how long the mobilization would last.

"They will be there as long as the governor of Mississippi needs us," Wells said.

He said the mobilization was part of a joint arrangement between state governments to assist one another in emergencies.

The maintenance and supply expertise of the Tri-Cities units will be a valuable asset in the ravaged areas, but Wells said National Guard units from Memphis to Mountain City are being mobilized for the relief effort.

The state's contribution includes military police, engineer, air ambulance and transportation units.

Wells was asked if there might be a morale problem with so many of the soldiers just back from deployment in Iraq.

"It is true some have just got back, but I think it is a little different deal this time. We are helping our own people."

Story Copyright to Kingsport Times News