SAINT CLOUD, Minn. — President Biden says more than a thousand active-duty soldiers from across the country are either on their way or already in North Carolina helping out after the hurricane.
The Minnesota National Guard says 11 of their members and two Chinook helicopters will leave the St. Cloud Airport Friday and will land in Salisbury North Carolina later that day.
Lt. Jake Braam is a pilot with the Minnesota National Guard.
He has been assigned to fly one of the two Chinook helicopters.
He says the Chinook is the perfect aircraft for this mission.
"It can fly higher and faster than any aircraft in the army's fleet of helicopters. We can lift up to 50,000 pounds, moving large amounts of personnel, and equipment into high mountainous areas,” Lt. Braam says.
The Minnesota National Guard unit will help transport people and supplies to communities in North Carolina that can’t be reached by road.
Lt. Braam says he doesn’t know what their cargo will include, but the unit is ready to meet the needs of residents in North Carolina who need their help.
"We are just being told to be prepared for pretty much everything, so we are just preparing our crews the best we can."
Lt. Braam says he has five years of experience, but this will be his first mission transporting supplies after a natural disaster.
He's excited and honored to answer the call for help.
"To be able to have a direct and positive impact in a disaster is why we train all year and why we feel so honored to be able to support our neighbors in North Carolina."
The plan right now is to have the unit in North Carolina for a week.
The Minnesota National Guard says the mission could be extended if they are still needed.
Governor Walz also approved help from other agencies, including the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.