Army Black Hawk Shows Birds-Eye View of Winter Storm Aftermath

National Guard troops work to deliver critical supplies to communities across Mississippi still recovering from the winter storm.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:15am

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After a winter storm hit northern and central Mississippi, the state's National Guard has deployed nearly 700 guardsmen to assist with recovery efforts. The guardsmen have been working to gather and transport critical supplies like water, cots, and blankets to the hardest-hit communities. Army pilots have been using Black Hawk helicopters to survey the damage from the air and help move supplies to remote areas.

Why it matters

The winter storm caused significant damage across Mississippi, leaving many communities struggling to recover. The National Guard's efforts to deliver essential supplies and aid are crucial for helping these towns get back on their feet as the recovery process continues.

The details

The National Guard troops have been working around the clock to reach the affected areas and provide assistance. They have been able to clear roads and open up avenues to push supplies forward to the communities in need. The guardsmen on the ground have seen firsthand the struggles families are facing and are determined to do all they can to help.

  • The winter storm hit northern and central Mississippi last weekend.
  • The National Guard has deployed nearly 700 guardsmen to assist with recovery efforts.

The players

Zachary Osborne

A U.S. Army Chinook Pilot who has been surveying the damage from the air.

Lt. Colonel Brad Hollingsworth

The commander of task force logistics for the Mississippi National Guard, overseeing the distribution of supplies.

Andrew Taleisnik

An Army Chinook Pilot who has been helping move critical supplies to remote areas.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to see places that used to grow. It's beautiful, and just destroyed.”

— Zachary Osborne, U.S. Army Chinook Pilot

“It's obvious. Everybody's struggling out there. Everybody's got needs. But today is one of my proudest days to wear this uniform because of the people we're serving.”

— Lt. Colonel Brad Hollingsworth, Commander of task force logistics for the Mississippi National Guard

“It's nice to see – being able to give back to the community as much as we can and doing what we can, where we can. The Chinooks have done an awesome job getting a lot of the supplies out to those little remote areas and towns and then being able to get people to and from areas like going to 55 and putting those crews out there that have been out there for 24 hours, replacing those guys.”

— Andrew Taleisnik, Army Chinook Pilot

What’s next

The National Guard will continue to assist Mississippi's hardest hit towns as the recovery process continues.

The takeaway

The National Guard's swift and coordinated response to deliver critical supplies and aid to communities devastated by the winter storm has been a lifeline for many Mississippians struggling to recover. Their dedication and service during this challenging time underscores the vital role the Guard plays in supporting local communities in times of crisis.