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Spc. Andrew Getz, assigned to the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, hooks up a hose from an M105 Load Handling System Compatible Water Tank Rack, also known as a HIPPO bulk water distribution system, to the main water line at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center to build pressure and transfer potable water during an emergency response mission at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024. The mission was to provide potable water after an emergency water advisory affected nearly 42000 customers in that part of the commonwealth. Getz and other Soldiers with the 628th ASB responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist. (Courtesy Photo)
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U.S. Soldiers with the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division fill water in an M105 Load Handling System Compatible Water Tank Rack, also known as a HIPPO bulk water distribution system, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024. Their mission was to provide potable water to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center at Camp Hill after an emergency water advisory affected nearly 42000 customers in that part of the commonwealth. These Soldiers responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist. (Courtesy Photo)
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U.S. Soldiers with the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division drive an M105 Load Handling System Compatible Water Tank Rack, also known as a HIPPO bulk water distribution system, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024. Their mission was to provide potable water to Penn State Holy Spirit Medical Center at Camp Hill after an emergency water advisory affected nearly 42000 customers in that part of the commonwealth. These Soldiers responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist. (Courtesy Photo)
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U.S. Soldiers with the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division provide potable water to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024. An emergency water advisory affected nearly 42000 customers in that part of the commonwealth and these Soldiers responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist. (Courtesy Photo)
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Soldiers with the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division provide potable water to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024. An emergency water advisory affected nearly 42000 customers in that part of the commonwealth and these Soldiers responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist. (Courtesy Photo)
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From left, U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Ortiz, Sgt. 1st Class Lisa Geer, Sgt. 1st Class Howard Briddelle, Maj. Shawn Updegrove, Sgt. Quentin Barrick, 1st Lt. Cullen McElligott, Sgt. Matthew Johnson, Pfc. Malori Francis, Spc. Andrew Getz and Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Hunsicker, assigned to the the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division provide potable water to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024. An emergency water advisory affected nearly 42000 customers in that part of the commonwealth and these Soldiers responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Pennsylvania National Guard to assist. (Courtesy Photo)
By Maj. Travis Mueller / Published Aug. 15, 2024
CAMP HILL, Pa.,
Soldiers with the 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade provided potable water to Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center during an emergency response mission at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10.
An emergency water advisory affected nearly 42,000 customers in that part of the commonwealth as remnants of Tropical Storm Debby damaged several areas across Pennsylvania earlier in the weekend.
Soldiers with the 628th ASB responded to a call from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, requesting assistance from the National Guard.
"I'm incredibly proud of the swift and effective response by our Soldiers in providing clean water to the hospital during this critical time,” said Maj. Samuel DeBold, administrative officer of the 628th ASB. “Their dedication is a testament to the capabilities of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the 628th Aviation Support Battalion and shows that we truly are always ready to serve and support our communities when they need us most."
These Soldiers transported more than 3,000 gallons of water to Holy Spirit, using M105 Load Handling System Compatible Water Tank Racks, also known as a HIPPO bulk water distribution system. After filling the HIPPOs with water at Fort Indiantown Gap, they transported the water to Holy Spirit in Camp Hill.
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s response to Debby also included helicopter crews providing aerial search and rescue support to local authorities. Operating as part of the Pennsylvania Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team, they flew over multiple flooded areas in the state. PA-HART is a partnership between the Pennsylvania National Guard and PEMA, along with credentialed civilian rescue technicians.
