Per request from the state of Louisiana, an additional 220 Iowa National Guard members have been sent to Louisiana to help out with Hurricane Gustav recovery efforts. Members will join the 245 Iowa guardsmen who already left for Louisiana Sunday, thus raising the total number to approximately 465.

In conjunction with the office of the Governor, Iowa Homeland Security Emergency Management, and National Guard Bureau, the Guard is providing assistance, coordination, planning, and preparation in support of recovery and relief operations for Hurricane Gustav.

Drawing on a collaborative effort between eight Iowa-based units, guardsmen will provide support under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (“EMAC”), an agreement executed previously between all 50 states to assist one another in times of crisis. EMAC is a national, mutual aid and partnership agreement that allows state-to-state assistance during Governor-declared or federally-declared emergencies. Once the conditions for providing assistance to a requesting state have been set, the terms constitute a legally binding contractual agreement that make affected states responsible for reimbursement.

According to a Iowa National Guard press release, additional troops from the following will join the Gustav recovery effort:

- Five Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Iowa Army National Guard and one CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter based at Mount Joy/Davenport arrived at Esler Field, Camp Beauregard, La. on Aug. 31. The aircraft and crew is providing airlift capabilities for search and rescue, evacuation of residents, transportation of supplies and equipment, and other missions as requested;

- Seven Airmen and one KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft from the 185th Air Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National Guard based in Sioux City transported approximately 50 Soldiers from the Iowa Army National Guard to Alexandria, La. on Aug. 31, and they also transported approximately 25 Soldiers to Alexandria, La. on Sept. 2;

- Approximately 50 Soldiers from the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 185th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion (CSSB) based at Camp Dodge (Johnston) were airlifted by the 185th Air Refueling Wing to Camp Beauregard, Alexandria, La. on Aug. 31. The 185th CSSB is providing movement control of transportation assets, logistical support, and additional support as assigned;

- Approximately 100 Soldiers and 40 medium-lift trucks from the 2168th Transportation Company based in Sheldon, with subordinate units in Sioux City (Detachment 1) and Fort Dodge (Detachment 2), arrived at Camp Beauregard, Alexandria, La. today. The 2168th Transportation Co. will provide transportation of equipment and supplies for relief efforts (the number of 2168th TC Soldiers was initially reported as 180, but is actually 100);

- Approximately 15 Soldiers from the 734th Regional Support Group based at Camp Dodge were airlifted by the 185th Air Refueling Wing to Camp Beauregard, Alexandria, La. today. The 734th RSG is providing logistical support, command and control, and additional support as assigned;

- Two Soldiers from the 135th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment based at Camp Dodge and one Airmen from the 132nd Fighter Wing based in Des Moines were also airlifted by the 185th Air Refueling Wing to Camp Beauregard, Alexandria, La. today. They will provide print media production, photographic and video support; media escort; and additional public affairs support as assigned;

- Approximately 15 Soldiers and two Humvee ambulances from the 134th Medical Company (Ground Ambulance) based in Washington are tentatively scheduled to arrive in Louisiana on Sept. 3. The unit will provide medical support to military personnel and additional support as assigned; and

- Approximately 270 Soldiers, multiple vehicles, and construction equipment from the 224th Engineer Battalion are tentatively scheduled to arrive in Louisiana on Sept. 3 from the following units: 110 Soldiers total from Headquarters Support Company (Fairfield) and Forward Support Company (Centerville); 80 Soldiers from the 831st Engineer Company (Burlington); and 80 Soldiers from the 832nd Engineer Company (Mt. Pleasant).