As many as 1,500 members of the National Guard are on active duty as Hurricane Sandy slams into the East Coast.
The American Forces Press Service reports Guard members are at work in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, and Maryland:
These forces are helping local first responders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency with tasks such as assistance at evacuation shelters, route clearance, search and rescue and delivery of essential equipment and supplies, officials said.
When it's time for clean up after the storm passes through, more than 61,000 National Guard members will be made available if necessary.
On Sunday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta appointed “dual status” commanders for the National Guard. These dual commanders are now authorized to take charge of both federal and state National Guard forces.
