More than 5,300 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have been mobilized in 15 states following powerful winter storms that spread snow and ice from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and southern regions over the weekend.
National Guard Bureau Chief, U.S. Air Force General Steven Nordhaus, praised the rapid response of Guard personnel ahead of the storm. In a message shared on social media, he emphasized their readiness and urged residents in affected areas to take safety precautions, reaffirming the Guard’s commitment to supporting communities during emergencies.
In Arkansas, National Guard Soldiers partnered with state police to navigate treacherous, ice-covered roads. Using military vehicles, they assisted stranded motorists, recovered disabled cars and helped clear hazardous areas.
Similar operations were carried out in North Carolina, where Army National Guard troops used high-mobility vehicles to rescue drivers who had slid off icy roads. Lieutenant Colonel Ellis Parks of the North Carolina National Guard said these vehicles were crucial in safely getting people back on the road.
Across multiple states, Guard members supported traffic control efforts, conducted health and welfare checks, and transported emergency responders so they could reach people in need during the storm.
In Delaware, more than 100 Guard members were deployed, with vehicles staged throughout the state to respond quickly. Kentucky activated over 2,000 Guard personnel to deal with dangerous snow and ice conditions.
Maryland and other states took early action by positioning equipment, vehicles and personnel before the storm hit. Brigadier General Craig Hunter, director of the Maryland National Guard Joint Staff, said early preparation allowed Guard forces to respond immediately to requests from local authorities and protect residents during severe weather.
Officials confirmed that National Guard forces will continue recovery and assistance operations for as long as conditions require.
States that activated National Guard units in response to Winter Storm Fern include Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Additionally, Guard units in six other states remain on standby to support state and local authorities if the situation escalates.
