80 Arkansas National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 87th Troop Command, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, and 189th Airlift Wing will patrol state highways and interstates to assist motorists during the current winter weather storm, a release to the media said.
One winter storm support truck team consist of five Guardsmen and two Humvees, plus communications equipment. Two teams are assigned to each Arkansas State Police Troop.
Locations include Troop A in Little Rock, Troop B in Newport, Troop C in Jonesboro, Troop D in Forrest City, Troop H in Fort Smith, Troop I in Harrison, Troop J in Clarksville, and Troop L in Lowell.
Travel is expected to be hazardous along highways in those areas of the state due to a winter storm delivering varying amounts of ice to roadways. Arkansas National Guardsmen will patrol highways to serve as an extra set of eyes for the Arkansas State Police and to offer assistance to motorists that become stranded. Guardsmen will provide around-the-clock patrols by working 12-hour shifts in their designated troop areas until the weather improves and they are relieved of their duties.
Guardsmen are permitted to help recover first responder emergency vehicles to a safe area. They are not permitted to recover privately owned or commercial vehicles.
The Arkansas National Guard assumes support roles to augment civil authorities, where needed and directed by the Governor, to help in a crisis.
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