Soldiers from the NHNG survey flood damagein Alstead NH on Oct. 13, 2005..CONCORD – Gov. John Lynch today activated 200 N.H. National Guardsmen in response to statewide flooding and road closures across New Hampshire..As of noon, 125 soldiers and 75 airmen were deploying to at least seven communities including Greenville, Rochester, Farmington, Milton, Hampton, New Boston, and Raymond to assist first responders with evacuations, traffic control points and other flood-related emergencies..The NH National Guard possesses a wide set of capabilities and expertise that can be deployed anywhere in the state to assist first responders to include trained personnel, equipment, communications and transportation assets..It is the third time since October 2005 that the NH Guard has been activated for storm-related emergencies in the state..In addition to serving the citizens of New Hampshire, more than half of the NH National Guard’s 2,700 soldiers and airmen have supported combat and peacekeeping operations overseas as well as humanitarian missions in Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita..The National Guard is the only branch of the military that has the unique dual mission of providing forces at both the state and federal levels and is the only military service that abides by two Oaths-of-Office, one to the governor and one to the President of the United States.
