Guard’s Staging Area Helps Storm Victims Regain Normalcy

Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard unload supplies from an Oklahoma Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook today at the West Palm Beach Logistics Staging Area at the South Florida Fairgrounds. More than 200 Guard soldiers and airmen are working at the Fairgrounds to help bring relief to South Florida residents affected by Hurricane Frances. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Shelley Gill, 125th Fighter Wing)

By Spc. Andrew Hillegass
107th MPAD

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (9/9/2004) — After Hurricane Frances passed through South Florida, many people here wanted nothing more then to have their lives return to normal as soon as possible. With the help of the Florida National Guard, getting the lives shattered by Mother Nature’s own ‘shock and awe’ campaign back to normal may take less time.

Once Frances’ torrential rains had finished punishing the area the relief effort was ready to set up shop. However, before any supplies could flow to the victims of the storm a supply facility had to be established.

The logistical staging area (LSA), located at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, is where relief supplies for South Florida are stored before being shipped out to various distribution points around the area.

The LSA has received truckloads of supplies, from baby food to bug spray. “We have been getting it all,” said Staff Sgt. John Mongeon, of the 325th Maintenance Company out of Lake Wales.

Some supplies such as meal’s ready to eat and light sets were brought into the LSA via CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland.

Once the cargo is offloaded from the aircraft, it is transported into the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Hall, where it is separated and readied for transport by civilian truck drivers.

The Florida Air Guard’s 202nd RED HORSE Squadron is here helping to clean up debris at the LSA and helping to set up electricity and generators. Some of the unit’s members traveled to Vero Beach to repair the roof for an assisted living home that was damaged by Frances’ winds.

“I have been on state active duty since August 14th, and have worked 12 hour days since then,” said Mongeon.

Not all of the supplies entering the fairgrounds will be sent to other distribution points, some of it will be given out on the grounds by volunteers along with members of the National Guard.

The LSA’s food, ice, and water point had traffic wrapped around the block with people waiting in their cars for hours for supplies they need because electricity remains out in much of Palm Beach County.

The Florida National Guard has more than 5,000 Guardsmen on state active duty for Hurricane Frances with 1,200 troops from nearby states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

“Many of these Soldiers have homes that were hit by Frances, but we are here helping these folks out because of our dedication to our job,” remarked Mongeon.

More than 4,600 Florida National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were placed on state active duty for Hurricane Charley recovery operations. Charley caused billions of dollars worth of damage to the state.

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