Soldiers answer the call during snowstorm

Posted in: February 2010
By Spc. Joseph Burke, 101st Public Affairs Detachment
Feb 15, 2010 - 1:02:10 PM

NEWPORT, Del. -- Three hundred Delaware National Guard Soldiers were called up for duty as another major snowstorm slammed the state in less than a week.

Snow already began to fall as Soldiers began reportingfor duty on Feb. 9, at 9:00 p.m. in anticipation of the snow storm.  Mother Nature did not disappoint.

The Soldiers provided much needed services during "Arctic Vengeance II", as the storm paralyzed the state forcing a state of emergency to be declared. Soldiers were given critical missions transporting people, such as nurses to their jobs at hospitals, as well as police officers to their jobs and dialysis patients to clinics.

Sgt. Russell Fiske, a truck driver with the 1049^th Transportation Company, drove a Humvee and was tasked with transporting nurses to and from shelter sites and clinic sites. He worked 12 hour-plus shifts starting at 4:00 a.m. "I feel good about it, but definitely ready for a little bit of rest as well," said Fiske.

When asked how he felt about being activated Fiske responded, "It was a very good experience, I got to do some cool stuff and I'm glad I got activated," said Fiske.

Spc. Edward Graves, a truck driver with the 153^rd Military Police, also drove a Humvee and was tasked with shuttling State Troopers from their homes to wherever they needed to go. When asked about being activated Graves responded, "I liked it, it's a good opportunity to help out during the storm. It makes me feel good that we did something and we were able to help out in the capacity we were supposed to," said Graves.

Most Soldiers were released from duty by noon on Friday.