Hampton, United States - October 02, 2024

In the wake of Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on East Tennessee, the community of Hampton has become a battleground for recovery, with the Tennessee Air National Guard leading the charge. On October 2, 2024, members from the 118th Wing and the 134th Air Refueling Wing's civil engineering squadrons were seen in action, diligently working to clear the debris left behind by the catastrophic flooding.

The activation of these Guard members signifies a critical escalation in the state's response to the disaster. The civil engineering experts, typically tasked with maintaining military facilities, have redirected their expertise to the civilian landscape of Hampton. Their mission: to restore order to the flood-ravaged areas, ensuring that basic infrastructure is navigable again and that the road to recovery is paved.

Hampton, like many towns in the path of Hurricane Helene, saw its streets transformed into rivers, homes flooded, and lives upended. The presence of the Air National Guard, with their heavy machinery and trained personnel, offers not just physical aid but also psychological relief to the residents, signaling that they are not alone in their struggle.