WARNER ROBINS, Ga. –
When DLA Distribution Warner Robins, Georgia, received the call that the Georgia Army National Guard’s 277th Maintenance Company needed assistance receiving and storing cots slated for Hurricane Irma evacuees, the answer was a resounding yes.
The unit had been tasked to support to support two missions in support of Irma recovery– receive and stage cots while awaiting mission requirements and also serve as a recovery team, recovering “down” vehicles that became inoperable while supporting Hurricane Irma efforts.
On Sunday, September 10, the unit arrived with 31 personnel to Warner Robins from Kennesaw, Georgia, where the distribution center began receiving and offloading 14 trucks loaded with 426 pallets containing nearly 10,000 cots.
According to Nate Friend, DLA Distribution Warner Robins branch chief, the team continued to download the cots through Monday and then began distributing about two truckloads per day to a FEMA-designated location.
It is noteworthy that the 277th Maintenance Company was fully supported by select DLA Distribution Warner Robins Transportation division members. Specifically, Sam Mather, George Maddox and Charlie Blunt, who unloaded approximately 316 pallets loaded with over 8,000 cots on the eve of Hurricane Irma. Friend and Jason Lamb supported the Army National Guard unit the day Hurricane Irma swept through Georgia.
“Everyone is just happy to help. I love the mentality that we all have. Anything that we can do, we will, regardless of what day of the week it is or the hour,” said Friend.