National Guard Activated as Gustav Targets Louisiana

As 1,500 National Guard members arrived in New Orleans on Friday to support the city’s police department and assist in executing civil support missions, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the activation of all available remaining Louisiana National Guard forces to assist with emergency operations in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. With the newly activated troops coming on board, the total of Louisiana Guard members activated reaches 7,000.

Gustav, which has already grown to a Category 3 hurricane, is bearing down on on the Gulf Coast with sustained winds of more than 120 mph, and is expected to make landfall late Sept. 1 or early Sept. 2.