OAHU, Hawaii –
Two members of the West Virginia Army National Guard’s (WVNG) Joint Interagency Education and Training Center, Maj. William Estep and Capt. Christopher Parker, are currently supporting the Hawaii Joint Operations Center (JOC) in Oahu as joint enabling team members as the state battles volcanic activity and lava flow on the island of Hawaii.
Estep and Parker arrived on the Island of Oahu May 19, 2018. Their mission while in Hawaii is to facilitate communication between the Hawaii JOC and the National Guard Coordination Center (NGCC) and to assist in mission execution refinement.
“The West Virginia National Guard prides itself on our ability to quickly respond when people are in need, whether here in West Virginia or elsewhere in the United States,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the WVNG Adjutant General. “These highly skilled Soldiers work every day as a part of the West Virginia National Guard Homeland Defense Task Force to prepare for moments such as this. We are happy to lend support to our Hawaii National Guard partners and stand ready to assist further if needed.”
The NGCC communicates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to make sure that National Guard forces are available and ready to respond to mission requests from civilian authorities.
Estep and Parker will be providing support for 30 days to the Hawaii National Guard or until operations return to normal.