Gov. Kelly Armstrong has given the green light for the North Dakota National Guard to assist in the search for victims of severe flash flooding in central Texas. The disaster has resulted in 120 fatalities, with over 170 individuals still unaccounted for.
A team from the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing is utilizing an MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft to support the search operations. Armstrong approved this aid following a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), which facilitates resource sharing among states during emergencies.
“Other states have come to our aid in extremely challenging times, and North Dakota stands ready to help Texas through this catastrophe however we can,” Armstrong stated. “We pray for everyone affected by the flash flooding, especially those families grieving lost loved ones, and thank all the first responders, volunteers, search and rescue teams, and emergency management personnel working day and night to provide safety, shelter and closure.”
The Fargo-based 119th Wing is managing the MQ-9 Reaper's operations remotely, offering air support along with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to ground units. This marks their inaugural deployment of MQ-9 support under an EMAC request.
“Our North Dakota National Guard Airmen are working with Texas as they continue search and rescue missions and provide assessment of impacted areas following this flash flooding,” commented Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard and director of the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. He noted that they are controlling a Texas-based MQ-9 from Fargo to supply emergency management teams on-site with crucial information.
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