More troops likely to respond to devastating Hawaii wildfires

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More troops likely to respond to devastating Hawaii wildfires
By Jonathan Lehrfeld
Aug 11, 06:02 PM
Personnel attached to a Hawaii National Guard unit assisted in the search and recovery efforts of Lahaina, Hawaii, August 10, 2023. (Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson / National Guard)

Another hundred troops will likely join the recovery efforts in Maui early next week after swift-burning fires killed dozens of people and burned down entire neighborhoods, a defense official told Military Times Friday.

The troops will be part of a joint force of National Guard and active duty troops announced by Hawaiian officials earlier this week, as the Pacific island state reels from its worst natural disaster since a 1960 tsunami that killed 61 people. At least 55 people have died from the wildfires that started on Tuesday, fueled by strong winds from a nearby hurricane, according to the AP.

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel SSG Michael Noll Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Cpl Vic Burk SGT Charlie Lee] Sgt (Join to see) PV2 Larry Sellnow SPC (Join to see) Amn Dale Preisach SGT Ruben Lozada 1SG Patrick Burke PO2 Marco Monsalve Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Kim Patterson] SFC Ralph E Kelley PV2 Scott M. PO1 Lyndon Thomas SPC (Join to see) SSG William Jones Maj Ronald Scarpa