Hurricane Harvey: 11 Minnesota National Guardsmen Head To Texas

Soldiers from Minnesota will join guardsmen from across the nation who are being activated in response to the deadly devastation from Hurricane Harvey. Gov. Mark Dayton approved 11 soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade to support response efforts. The soldiers will depart Friday from St. Cloud via CH-47 chinook helicopters to conduct aviation operations in Texas.

"I am glad that Minnesota will be able to assist the victims of the terrible tragedy in Texas, with 11 Minnesota National Guard soldiers accompanying two Chinook helicopters to join in relief efforts," Dayton said in a statement. "I thank Major General Nash for his leadership, and the brave Minnesota soldiers, who will travel to Texas to provide this critical relief. I encourage all Minnesotans, who are able, to donate to the qualified relief efforts. Minnesota stands ready to assist in any way we can."

The Minnesota National Guard's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade is an Army National Guard unit that supports disaster response operations by providing aviation capabilities - both UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

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"We train for this type of mission and we're glad that we can assist the people of Texas with this type of professional support," said Col. Shawn Manke, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade commander. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Minnesota Patch, click here to find your local Minnesota Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook , and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The soldiers will stay "as long as needed in order to protect the lives and property of the citizens impacted by the storm," according to the governor's office.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews