By Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke
Special to American Forces Press Service
Feb. 12, 2009 - Generators from the Arkansas Air National Guard have enabled the school district here to resume classes after an 11-day break. Classes were cancelled after an ice storm swept through northeastern Arkansas Jan. 26. About 500,000 state residents lost power as a result.
Arkansas Guard officials said 13 generators were brought in Feb. 9 from the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith, on the other side of the state, and hooked up later that day.
The generators were accompanied by 15 unit members, and were set up at both the high school and elementary school campuses.
"These guys came in and did a professional job, and we appreciate them so much," Ed Winberry, the school superintendent, told the Piggott Times. "They left two technicians with us to keep things running smoothly."
He added that only 31 students were absent from classes in an area where power has not returned for many residents.
"Do what you need to do. We'll have school, and if you can't get them here, we understand," Winberry told the parents of absent students.
In addition to power generation, about 150 Arkansas Guard members remain on state active duty to distribute blankets and cots and provide shelter, shower and laundry facilities.
(Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke serves at the National Guard Bureau.)
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