By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis – The state of Missouri is contributing to the massive relief effort along the Gulf Coast by sending about 1,000 National Guard troops.
Personnel from more than 20 units will deploy to the region by the end of the week to provide security and communications support.
Missouri National Guard spokesman David Kolarik says all the troops are experienced in urban operations.
"They are provided that training and have actually been able to utilize that training in situations over in Baghdad, and then on domestic missions for
Operation Noble Eagle when we were sitting here guarding our own homefront," Kolarik said.
Kolarik says the troops may be deployed up to four weeks, but added that's subject to change.