The Pentagon has deployed National Guard troops and military helicopters to aid in rescue and recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. 134 National Guard personnel, alongside helicopters from the Army and Navy, have been sent to assist with firefighting and search-and-recovery operations. The U.S. Coast Guard is also assisting in rescue efforts, and President Joe Biden has declared the wildfires a “major disaster.” The fires have claimed 36 lives and damaged over 270 structures, making it one of the deadliest wildfire incidents in U.S. history.
Key Points:
- National Guard Activation: The Pentagon activated 134 National Guard personnel, including 99 from the Army National Guard and 35 from the Air National Guard, to assist with wildfire response efforts in Maui.
- Helicopter Support: Helicopters from the Army, Navy, and Hawaii’s National Guard, including CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, have been sent to assist in firefighting and search-and-recovery operations. The Chinooks alone performed 58 bucket drops, totaling more than 100,000 gallons of water on the fires.
- Coast Guard Rescue Efforts: The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 14 survivors from Lahaina Harbor and has deployed response boats and cutters to help in the ongoing rescue operations.
- Devastation and Impact: The wildfires, fueled by strong winds from a passing hurricane, have claimed 36 lives and damaged at least 270 structures, ranking them among the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.
- Government Response: President Joe Biden declared the wildfires a “major disaster,” and the Pentagon has committed to working closely with the state of Hawaii to protect lives and combat the wildfires.
