Maj. Gen. Torrence Saxe, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, speaks to Soldiers in the armory at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, as they prepare to depart for Louisiana, Sept. 3, 2021. The 17 Army Guardsmen will assist the Louisiana National Guard’s support to civil authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which struck the state, causing destruction and devastation, Aug. 29. The National Guard is the first military responder, assisting civil authorities and partner agencies with homeland security and response to state and national emergencies and disasters. The Soldiers are in civilian attire for travel on commercial aircraft. (Air National Guard photo by Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead)