Mississippi BCT conducts ‘knock’ mission along state’s coast

Mississippi National Guard

Specialist Robert Wilson, of Pontotoc Miss., leaves a flyer on a FEMA travel trailer in Gulfport during notification operations in preparation for the landfall of Hurricane Gustav. Wilson is a member of the Pontotoc-based A Troop, 1st Battalion, 98th Cavalry Regiment, Mississippi Army National Guard. More than 2,500 members of the Mississippi National Guard are on state active duty, assisting civil authorities in preparing the Mississippi Gulf Coast. (Photo by 1st Lt. Andy Thaggard, MSARNG)
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GULFPORT, Miss. - As Hurricane Gustav made its way towards the Gulf Coast Aug. 30, about 1,500 Soldiers of the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 155th Brigade Combat Team were here to assist in emergency support operations.

Gov. Haley Barbour had issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents along the coast, and the troops’ first order of business was to perform a ‘Knock’ mission -- going door-to-door conducting evacuation notification for families living in FEMA trailers, mobile homes, cottages and other small structures. 

Soldiers advised residents to seek alternate shelter because of the threat of severe tropical weather. 

“This notification is not to create a hardship for our citizens, but to help protect lives and property for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina,” said Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman, Jr., the adjutant general of Mississippi.  “We are here to help the citizens of our state.”

Task force commander Brig. Gen. James B. Gaston, Jr., said Soldiers had notified about half of the residents in weak structures by 2 p.m., in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties. 

“Many have already evacuated, however, we will continue to notify residents,” Gaston said.

A curfew was in force last night along the coast and will remain in force as 1,000 more troops are scheduled to arrive this weekend to support future missions.