The Oregon Army National Guard announced they will send two Ch-47 helicopters and nine National Guard personnel to areas damaged by Hurricane Ike.

The crews left from the Pendleton base on Sunday afternoon and planned to land at Hunter Army Air Field near Savannah Georgia.

AP file photo

The aircraft and crews were mobilized as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact which allows National Guard resources to be shared among states when a disaster or crisis occurs.

The helicopters are capable of carrying dozens of people and nearly ten tons of internal cargo or thirteen tons of external cargo in a sling. They can also be used for search and rescue missions.