On Friday morning, two additional Connecticut National Guard helicopters and an aircrew of 16 soldiers will deploy to Salisbury, North Carolina from the Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks.

The Guard’s Bravo Company, 2-104th Aviation, 1-169th Aviation Regiment will transport commodities to stranded communities in North Carolina’s hard-hit western region. In his announcement this evening, Governor Ned Lamont said the deployment is expected to last one week.

“Connecticut is prepared to lead by example and deliver assistance to our neighbors during times of emergency,” said the governor.

Last week, two Connecticut teams were sent to North Carolina: a five-soldier flight crew with a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and an eight-member urban search and rescue team. Major General Francis Evon, commander of the Connecticut National Guard, praised those teams for their “incredible hard work and dedication with the disaster relief efforts.”

“Their courage and commitment in the face of adversity have made a true difference for those in need,” said General Evon.

The aircraft in this week’s deployment are an additional CH-47 Chinook and a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

Charities

Among the many organizations accepting donations to support victims of the Hurricane Helene disaster are:

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