INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana National Guard will be reimbursed about $130,000 after some of its troops were sent to Florida to aid in Hurricane Ian efforts and then turned away.
The Indiana National Guard sent more than a dozen troops, three flight crews, mechanics and helicopters to assist in Florida. But the agency was told that the Florida National Guard's assets were already sufficient and that an additional crew was no longer needed.
The large sum is an estimate of what it cost to fly crews to Fort Rucker, Alabama and back in helicopters, in addition to crew pay, meals and lodging, according to Indiana National Guard Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry, a spokesman for the agency.
Lowry said he could not speak to who made the decision to send troops back. He referred inquiries to the Florida National Guard's public affairs office.
In an email, Florida National Guard spokesman William Manley wrote that units from several states were sent back after an initial assessment determined the affected area "wasn’t as large as initially forecasted," but added that the agency is "extremely grateful for their willingness to assist us in our time of need."
He added, "Out of an abundance of caution, and because it takes several days to mobilize Guardsmen, we asked our EMAC partners for more capability than what was ultimately necessary."
Indiana Task Force 1 was also sent to assist and is still doing so as of Wednesday.
-
New book highlights Caitlin Clark's impact on Indy and beyond
'On Her Game' by USA Today Columnist Christine Brennan follows Caitlin Clark during her rookie season.$160 million facility to manufacture cancer treatment opens in Indianapolis
Bristol Myers Squibb is preparing to ship a new and possibly life-changing cancer treatment to patients across the world. The doses will be made and researched in Indianapolis.Death investigation in Anderson after man found unresponsive in water
According to police, officers responded to the Shadyside Park, 1110 Broadway, to check out a man who was found unresponsive in the water.Man critically injured in shooting on far east side of Indianapolis
A man is reported to be in critical condition following a shooting on the far east side of Indianapolis on Friday, police said.