Texas Governor Greg Abbott has mobilized the entire national defense force in Texas, which includes about 12,000 soldiers. Rescue teams from state, local and military sectors have rescued thousands of residents trapped in flooded areas.
On August 27, the Department of Defense and Governor Greg Abbott agreed to establish a "dual command", allowing a commander to direct both state and federal forces to monitor and coordinate rescue operations.
On September 28, more than 400 members of the medical team, media team and military support teams were required to be ready to deploy within 24 hours.
Navy and Air Force
The two US Navy warships, the USS Kearsarge and the USS Oak Hill, are being sent to the state of Texas, according to the US Navy's announcement on August 30.
The Kearsarge ship that was in the Atlantic during a training session returned to Norfolk on August 29 to receive emergency relief supplies such as drinking water and food, along with a marine unit sailing to Texas today (August 31).
The ship made landfall on Oak Hill, carrying relief goods, and, along with the Kearsarge, will support the federal, state and local governments in relief efforts after the Harvey disaster, according to the US Navy.
According to a US defense official, US air and Navy helicopters began participating in rescue work in Texas from the evening of August 28, marking the first time military equipment was mobilized for rescue after the storm. The helicopters mobilized include 6 Navy MH-60s and 3 Air Force HH-60s.
On August 29, the Northern Command (NORTHCOM) deployed 9 search and rescue helicopters, 2 aircraft and rescue teams to Joint Reserve base, Fort worth to support rescue operations.
According to defense officials, the military helicopter is in coordination with the helicopter of the US Coast Guard and is coordinated by the Coast Guard. More than 30 additional aircraft are ready if the state of Texas requests additional assistance.
National Guard
All of the national Guard in Texas have been mobilized, 16 aircraft have been deployed, and search and rescue operations are underway day and night along the Texas coast, from Corpus Christi to Houston.
The New York Air Force National Guard has provided one C-130, three HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and two C-17 cargo aircraft. In addition, there were 6 helicopters from the national Guard of Utah, Nebraska and North Carolina.
The Texas National Guard also used about 200 Humvees armored vehicles and 200 combat vehicles that could move in deep water.
The forces of fate
The US Coast Guard announced on August 29 that it had mobilized 39 helicopters and 7 flights to 2 bases in New Orleans and Houston and was always ready to participate in rescue in Texas and Louisiana, including the H-65 Dolphin and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, the C-130 cargo aircraft.
Marines, Logistics agencies need national defense and the army
According to CNN, the US Navy currently has 690 soldiers on the USS Kearsarge and the USS Oak Hill. The above support includes: 8 MV-22B Ospreys, 3 CH-53E Super Stallions and 3 UH-1Y Hueys. A number of marine ships, aircraft and tactical vehicles are waiting for orders from the Northern Command.
According to a US defense official, more than 100 2.5-ton US military trucks capable of moving in deeply flooded terrain have been sent to flooded areas of Houston since August 29. Trucks will be used in flooded areas to rescue and move people.
The Pentagon's Defense Logistics Agency also provided 450,000 gallons of diesel and 50,000 gallons of gas expected to arrive at Fort Hood on August 30, according to a statement from the Northern Command.
