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"Texans Serving Texas"
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media is invited to cover the Aviation search and rescue exercise from Camp Mabry on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and must arrive no later than 3 p.m. (this is a firm time) to allow for ample video time. While the exercise is at several locations, Camp Mabry is only location for media to obtain b-roll and interviews.
Members of the media are required to RSVP no later than Tuesday, May 22 by 5:00 p.m. with the Texas Military Department Public Affairs Office at 512-782-5620 or ng.tx.txarng.mbx.pao@mail.mil.
Camp Mabry is accessed at the Maintenance Drive gate from 35th Street. Media will be required to show credentials at the gate.
FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE:
Texas National Guard and partnering agencies to use area lakes for search and rescue exercise
AUSTIN, Texas (May 18, 2018) – On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, the Texas Military Department will partner with Texas Task Force 1, Texas Department of Public Safety, the Austin Police Department and numerous other state, federal and military agencies from across Texas and the nation to conduct a large-scale aviation search and rescue exercise in the Austin area.
The exercise will include multiple flights from UH-72 Lakota aircraft and single or groups of individuals needing to be notionally rescued by helicopter utilizing various means, to include hoist, short haul and land-and-load techniques. This training allows state, federal, and local government Search and Rescue aviation units that could respond to Texas in the event of a large hurricane or other wide-area natural disaster, the opportunity to develop better mechanisms for integration.
The locations being utilized during this exercise include Camp Mabry; Decker Lake; and portions of the Colorado River, southwest of FM 969 and FM 1704 and near Old Sayers Rd; Camp Swift; and Lake Pflugerville. While the exercise is scheduled to take place during the daytime hours, the Decker Lake and Camp Swift locations will conduct some nighttime exercises.
Citizens in and around the area of the multiple training locations will see an increase of helicopters and/or first responder traffic throughout the week, with the largest presence on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. During this time citizens should not be alarmed as it is part of the exercise. The Texas Department of Emergency Management is aware of the exercise and will be on site.
For more information, please contact the Texas Military Department state public affairs office at 512-782-5620 or email at ng.tx.txarng.mbx.pao@mail.mil.
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The mission of the Texas Military Department (TMD) is to provide the Governor and the President with ready and trained forces in support of the citizens of Texas and State and Federal civil/military authorities at home and abroad.
The Texas Military Department is commanded by the Adjutant General of Texas, the state's senior military official appointed by the governor, and is comprised of the Texas Military Department (formerly the Adjutant General's Department), the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), the Texas Air National Guard (TXANG), the Texas State Guard (TXSG) and the Domestic Operations Command (DOMOPS)
For more information about the Texas Military Department visit our Website at https://tmd.texas.gov.
Texas Military Department Public Affairs
P.O. Box 5218, Building 10
Camp Mabry (Austin), Texas 78703