In the aftermath of a shocking video showing a North Carolina National Guard Black Hawk helicopter inadvertently destroying much-needed relief supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene, Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, the adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard, stepped up to take full responsibility for the incident. The video, which went viral, revealed the helicopter’s rotor wash blowing away tents and supplies meant for those devastated by the hurricane in western North Carolina. The incident sparked immediate questions about communication, coordination, and the National Guard’s handling of the disaster relief operation.
At a press conference addressing the situation, Maj. Gen. Hunt didn’t shy away from accountability. “Yes, ma’am, thanks for asking that question honestly, because that was a North Carolina National Guard helicopter. It’s under our command, and I’ll take responsibility for it and we own it,” he said, acknowledging the public’s concerns and taking ownership of the unfortunate event.
The incident occurred while the helicopter was attempting to deliver a generator to a designated landing site. However, upon approach, the crew noticed that there were too many people, tents, and supplies located too close to the landing zone. In an effort to avoid a disaster, the pilots made a quick decision to take back off, but the powerful rotor wash ended up scattering and damaging the very supplies they were meant to deliver. “As they approached, they noticed that there were too many people and too many tents and commodities too close to the landing site, so they pulled in power to take back off like a go-around in a helicopter, and the rotor wash caused that damage,” explained Maj. Gen. Hunt.
While the National Guard’s mission is to serve and protect, this incident highlights the growing concern over how relief efforts are coordinated in disaster-stricken areas. Many on the right have long called for improved government response and coordination, pointing to bureaucratic inefficiencies that often make difficult situations even worse. Hurricane Helene, like many disasters before it, has shown the cracks in the Biden administration’s approach to crisis management, leaving victims in desperate need of help. The National Guard’s actions, while well-intentioned, could have been better executed if proper communication protocols had been in place from the start.
Maj. Gen. Hunt assured the public that an investigation is already underway, and steps are being taken to ensure that such mishaps do not happen again. “The crew is being grounded. We are under investigation. Safety is our number one priority with our forces on the ground,” he said, emphasizing that lessons are being learned, and changes are already in motion.
Moving forward, the National Guard has updated its communication protocols with local authorities and emergency personnel, something that was initially lacking in the chaotic early days of the relief efforts. “Initially, we had no communication, so we were just making a call and landing,” admitted Maj. Gen. Hunt. “But now the landing sites have been more mature, and we do have communication with emergency personnel on the ground.”
In typical government fashion, these processes are “maturing” after the fact, but the victims of Hurricane Helene deserve better. When disaster strikes, Americans expect swift, organized, and efficient relief efforts, not chaos and confusion. The fact that relief supplies were destroyed because of poor coordination is a reminder that our disaster response systems need serious reform.
While the National Guard’s response is commendable, and their willingness to investigate is important, one must wonder: how many more “mistakes” must happen before our government gets it right? Maj. Gen. Hunt closed his remarks with an apology: “We are very sorry that happened, and again, the investigation is underway.”
The people of North Carolina, and indeed the nation, will be watching to see if this investigation results in real changes—or just more government lip service.
