Three area soldiers deploying to Puerto Rico to assist with hurricane recovery

Three area soldiers and their Ohio Army National Guard medical unit are scheduled to deploy to Puerto Rico this week to assist with the Hurricane Maria recovery efforts, according to a press release. +

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Spc. Will Mauntler of Troy, Spc. Adam Lemaster of Franklin and Sgt. Joshua Taylor of Middletown are all members of the 285th Area Support Medical Company, based in Columbus. An advance party of 30 soldiers left Tuesday, and the main body is expected to depart Thursday night from Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

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The Newark-based 137th Signal Company will accompany the 285th ASMC on the mission.

The medical company is capable of providing medical support such as trauma health care, preventive medicine consultation, optometry support, mental health consultation and ground evacuation of patients.

The signal company can provide communication capabilities with mobile satellite, electricity,

telephone, internet and video conferencing, and information technology services.

Hurricane Maria, which slammed into Puerto Rico in late September, has left 34 dead and more than 90 percent of the island’s residents without power and other resources.

Currently, the Ohio National Guard has more than 30 Airmen from the 200th Red Horse Squadron, from Port Clinton, and the Springfield-based 269th Combat Communications Squadron in the U.S. Virgin Islands assisting with the recovery efforts. In all, there are more than 100  Ohio National Guard members supporting hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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