Arkansas National Guard troops deployed July 8, 2025 to assist Texas officials with recovery efforts after deadly flooding. (Staff Sgt. Bryce Colvert/Arkansas National Guard Public Affairs Office)
By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate
Nearly two dozen Arkansas National Guardsmen deployed to Texas Tuesday morning to assist with the transportation of search and rescue personnel near Austin following deadly flooding over the holiday weekend.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders mobilized 22 soldiers Monday, including pilots and crew chiefs, and six maintenance personnel, according to a press release. Additionally, two soldiers were ordered to state active duty to serve as liaison officers in Arkansas to coordinate direct support to deployed soldiers as needed.
More than 100 people have died following extraordinary rainfall that led to severe flooding in Central Texas, according to The Texas Tribune.
“Our hearts go out to those affected in Texas,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “Under Governor Sanders’ leadership and direction, we’re eager to assist our brothers and sisters in the Texas National Guard as they continue to respond and recover from the Texas flooding.”
In response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request received from Texas yesterday, the Arkansas National Guard generated a four-helicopter departure Tuesday morning, Bridges said in the release. The compact allows states to send personnel and equipment to help response and recovery efforts in other states.
One Black Hawk crew will be ready to provide medical evacuation support, while the other three crews can provide hoist capability, visual searches, passenger movement and cargo movement.
The orders last through Saturday, but can be adjusted based on mission needs, according to the release.
The Arkansas Advocate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to tough, fair daily reporting and investigative journalism that holds public officials accountable and focuses on the relationship between the lives of Arkansans and public policy.
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