PINEVILLE, La. – On Saturday, the Louisiana National Guard deployed eight helicopters for Hurricane Matthew response operations in Florida and South Carolina.

A total of eight aircraft – two UH-60 Blackhawks and two UH-72 Lakotas departed from Army Aviation Support Facility #1 in Hammond and AASF #2 at Esler Field in Pineville.

The medics, crew chiefs, maintenance support, pilots and aircraft will support Florida and South Carolina’s hurricane response as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.