Hurricane Matthew: National Guard in Fort Mill trains, ready for deployment to coast

Soldiers with the U.S. Army National Guard 1222 EN Company (SAPPER) here have been training with chain saws, heavy equipment and more for a possible deployment to the South Carolina coast if Hurricane Matthew causes the level of damage and destruction weather forecasters and officials such as Gov. Haley warned they expect.

SAPPER Co., which specializes in engineering missions and has been deployed to combat zones in recent years, is based at the armory on Munn Road, near Fort Mill High School.

“I'm tasked here today in Fort Mill helping the unit here to obtain the skills to help civilians, rescue teams and crews in any way they need to with heavy equipment and to recover from whatever damage may happen on the coast here in Carolina,” said Spec. Mayer, would didn’t give his first name and said he’s “with the Lancaster unit.”

SFC Philip Reed said SAPPER Co. hasn’t been given much information other than being ready to go when called.

“Right now we don't have an official number yet (of how many soldiers will be deployed). We are still bringing people in. We have a skeleton crew right now that's just preparing.”

Reed said he would expect to get the call to deploy “probably post storm.”

This story was originally published October 7, 2016 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Hurricane Matthew: National Guard in Fort Mill trains, ready for deployment to coast."