Gallery: West Virginia National Guard storm response

U.S. Air Force Photo by TSgt Bryan G. Stevens

Lt. Col. David G. Rabel, the Logistics Readiness Squadron Commander, with the 130th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, directs a semi-truck at Yeager Airbase in Charleston, West Virginia. The 130th Airlift Wing is the staging ground for transporting supplies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in support of relief efforts from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

U.S. Air Force Photo by TSgt Bryan G. Stevens

Soldiers with the 1257th Transportation Company, West Virginia Army National Guard, set up tents at Yeager Airbase in Charleston, W. Va. The 130th Airlift Wing is the staging ground for transporting supplies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in support of relief efforts from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard assess the Foodland in Summersville, W.Va., to determine the structural damage incurred after the entire roof caved in. Under the weight of the heavy snow and continuous rain, the external walls showed signs of caving in as well and even the support beams were dislodged.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

Joseph D'Angelo, FEMA's Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) logistics chief for Region III comments to West Virginia National Guardsman, Master Sgt. Keith Bibb, 77th Brigade property book officer, during a meeting to coordinate operations at the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Martinsburg, W.Va., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia by the 77th Brigade’s 1201st Forward Support Company based in Kingwood W.Va. and Delta 230th FSC based in Glen Jean, W.Va. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard assess the FoodLand in Summersville, W.Va., to determine the structural damage incurred after the entire roof caved in. Under the weight of the heavy snow and continuous rain, the external walls showed signs of caving in as well and even the support beams were dislodged.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

A member of the West Virginia Army National Guard approaches an apartment complex in Summersville, W.Va., to assess the structural damage incurred after Hurricane Sandy brought over two feet of snow to the mountainous region. Soldiers assigned to West Virginia's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRNE) and High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package team, or CERFP, ensure that governors and adjutants general have the capabilities to mitigate risks associated with collapsed structures rescue, medical triage and stabilization, mass decontamination, and the recovery of fatalities. While chemical, radiological and biological hazards are not expected during the relief efforts, the soldiers are assessing structural damage to houses and businesses across the state and will remain on stand-by to assist with any necessary extraction rescues.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard traveled to an apartment complex in Summersville, W.Va., to assess the structural damage incurred after Hurricane Sandy brought over two feet of snow to the mountainous region. Soldiers assigned to West Virginia's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRNE) and High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package team, or CERFP, ensure that governors and adjutants general have the capabilities to mitigate risks associated with collapsed structures rescue, medical triage and stabilization, mass decontamination, and the recovery of fatalities. While chemical, radiological and biological hazards are not expected during the relief efforts, the soldiers are assessing structural damage to houses and businesses across the state and will remain on stand-by to assist with any necessary extraction rescues.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

Members of the West Virginia Army National Guard assess a gas station in Summersville, W.Va., for the level of structural damage incurred after Hurricane Sandy brought over two feet of snow to the mountainous region. The soldiers determine whether the collapsed buildings are safe for owners or residents to enter and if not, they submit a report the local emergency operation center so that the local police can be informed and can ensure the warning is conveyed.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

W.Va. Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Christopher Hamrick, the CBRNE non-commissioned officer assigned to CERFP in Eleanor, points out the structural damage incured to a gas station in Summersville, W.Va. after Hurricane Sandy dropped two feet of snow on the mountainous region. Hamrick and others have been working diligently to assess structural damages throughout Nicholas County caused by a combination of heavy snow and weak structural support. Soldiers assigned to West Virginia's Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRNE) and High-Yield Explosive Enhanced Response Force Package team, or CERFP, ensure that governors and adjutants general have the capabilities to mitigate risks associated with collapsed structures rescue, medical triage and stabilization, mass decontamination, and the recovery of fatalities. While chemical, radiological and biological hazards are not expected during the relief efforts, the soldiers are assessing structural damage to houses and businesses across the state and will remain on stand-by to assist with any necessary extraction rescues.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

Soldiers of the West Virginia Army National Guard assigned to 821st Engineering Company from Summersville, W.Va. assist in debris and snow cleanup in Nicholas County. The estimated two feet of snow caused havoc throughout the county, but especially on many of the windy mountainous roads, where existing erosion combined with heavy, wet snow to cause land slides and fallen trees.

Staff Sgt. Debra Richardson/West Virginia Army National Guard

Soldiers of the West Virginia Army National Guard assigned to 821st Engineering Company from Summersville, W.Va., assist in debris and snow cleanup in Nicholas County. The estimated two feet of snow caused havoc throughout the county, but especially on many of the windy mountainous roads, where existing erosion combined with heavy, wet snow to cause land slides and fallen trees.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

The 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, is based in Martinsburg W.Va., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

Master Sgt. Jodi Miller signals to Tech. Sgt. Jackquelyn Wandler as she maneuvers pallets off of a trailer at the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Martinsburg W.Va., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Hageny maneuvers a pallet of water in a trailer full of FEMA disaster relief supplies at the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Martinsburg W.Va., Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

Master Sgt. Jodi Miller directs the driver of a tractor and trailer to a parking area inside a hangar at the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Martinsburg W.Va., Thursday Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

Staff Sgt. Joshua Wishmyer signals to his brother Staff Sgt. John Wishmyer as he moves a pallet of boxed meals at the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Martinsburg W.Va., Thursday Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.

Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Emily Beightol-Deyerle

Vehicles assigned to the 77th Brigade's 1201st Forward Support Company based in Kingwood W.Va. and Delta 230th FSC based in Glen Jean, W.Va are parked at the 167th Airlift Wing, West Virginia Air National Guard, based in Martinsburg W.Va., Thursday Nov. 1, 2012. The 167th AW is serving as a staging area for disaster relief supplies which will then be transported throughout West Virginia as needed. The West Virginia National Guard has over 200 members aiding in recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy. The storm blanketed the state with heavy snow and rains and also had severe winds that left homes and properties damaged. Guardsmen are involved in numerous aspects of the operations from search and rescue missions to debris removal.