MonticelloLive

CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. - Fourteen Soldiers with the Arkansas National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were injured last night as a result of severe weather passing through Camp Shelby.  Injuries were mainly limited to minor cuts and bruises with a single Soldier suffering more severe, yet non life threatening injuries.

At approximately 11 p.m., an unconfirmed tornado passed through the post just south of Hattiesburg, Miss., seriously damaging a barracks building which housed Soldiers from the 39th’s 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry units based in Mena, DeQueen and Sheridan.

The building’s roof was partially blown away by strong winds with the remainder collapsing on several Soldiers inside.  The 39th’s Soldiers from neighboring barracks quickly responded with a search and rescue effort and establishing triage. 

Along with the battalion’s physician assistant, the 39th’s medics and combat lifesavers on the scene to assist outnumbered the injured Soldiers. Civilian emergency officials arrived in short order and were able to quickly get the Soldiers transported to the local hospital where all 14 were treated and released.

The 39th Brigade confirms all Soldiers have been accounted for and the Families of the injured Soldiers have been notified.

A complete damage assessment to the post is anticipated to take place today.

The 39th Brigade, which is headquartered in Little Rock, is currently conducting mobilization training at Camp Shelby in preparation for an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The Brigade will conduct a farewell ceremony on Thursday, March 6, with deployment overseas later in the month.

Information provided by Cpt. Christopher Heathscott.