Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has provided an update on the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene and preparations for Hurricane Milton. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has been actively monitoring the situation, receiving daily briefings on the progress and strategies in place.
Ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in Florida, Secretary Austin held a meeting with several key figures including Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Christopher Grady, U.S. NORTHCOM Command commander Gregory Guillot, and National Guard Bureau Acting Vice Chief LTG Jon Stubbs. The meeting focused on reviewing the Department of Defense's efforts to assist federal, state, and local responses to Hurricane Helene and prepare for a swift response to Hurricane Milton.
The Department remains committed to collaborating with interagency partners such as FEMA, the White House, state governments, and local authorities. Additionally, there is an emphasis on safeguarding DoD personnel and their families who might be affected by these hurricanes.
Maj. Gen. Ryder highlighted that "the Department continues to be engaged with interagency partners in support of FEMA, the White House, state, and local governments," underlining the collaborative approach taken by various government bodies.
