Guard Bureau Leaders Commend Texas Guardsmen’s Heroic Flood Response

In the wake of the catastrophic flash floods that struck Texas Hill Country on July 4, 2025, senior National Guard leaders have lauded the exceptional efforts of Texas Guardsmen.

 

The unprecedented rainfall led to the Guadalupe River surging by 26 feet in under an hour, resulting in widespread devastation. Within hours, Army and Air Guard units initiated extensive rescue operations across the affected regions.

 

Utilizing UH-60 Black Hawk and LUH-72 Lakota helicopters, crews conducted daring rooftop rescues, while C-130 Hercules aircraft provided critical aerial reconnaissance.

 

High-water vehicles were deployed to access remote communities cut off by the floodwaters. To date, these concerted efforts have led to the rescue of over 525 Texans.

 

On July 15, Air Force General Steve Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines joined Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Adjutant General, Air Force Major General Thomas Suelzer, for an aerial assessment of the flood-impacted areas.

 

From the helicopter, they commended the Guardsmen for their rapid mobilization, technical proficiency, and unwavering dedication under perilous conditions.

 

General Nordhaus highlighted the mission as a testament to the Guard’s homeland-response capabilities, while Advisor Raines emphasized the strength of interagency and interstate partnerships that bolstered Texas’s efforts.

 

Through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, reinforcements from Arkansas, Arizona, and North Dakota joined the operation, contributing additional helicopters, medevac crews, and drone teams.

 

As floodwaters recede, hundreds of Guardsmen remain deployed, working alongside civil authorities to support recovery operations, deliver relief supplies, and assess infrastructure damage. 

 

Their actions have become a beacon of resilience, demonstrating how well-coordinated military, state, and federal teamwork can save lives and restore communities after disaster.