Marietta, GA-- Inside the joint operations center, or RAC, men and women from the Georgia National Guard sit in fatigues, surrounded by video screens monitoring the latest on super storm Sandy.
They have been pulling round the clock shifts since Hurricane Sandy hit the northwest.
Mary Therese Tebbe, State Director of Public Affairs for the GA National Guard, based in Marietta, told 13WMAZ that Major General Jim Butterworth sent 2 helicopters and 20 guard members Tuesday. Tebbe indicated that the CH47 Chinooks arrived in New Jersey Wednesday for relief efforts.
"We've already got those helicopters there to help with heavy lifting where needed and we've also sent civil engineers who will likely be needed to help with damage assessments," said Major General Jim Butterworth.
Outside, a number of Blackhawk and Lakota helicopters are parked, loaded and ready to fly to the aftermath of Sandy.
Pilots are packed and standing by. Many of them performed similar duties after Hurricane Katrina.
Captain Jonathan Sellars is assigned to one of the Blackhawks and says it is the perfect aircraft for not only rescue but recovery.
"We can use it to fly in supplies, water and food and also to transport people. We're always ready for medical emergencies, but we can still do search and rescue, even lift people off roofs if necessary," said Sellars.
(11Alive.com contributed)