PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski has authorized deployment of 12 members of the Oregon Air National Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron to Texas for possible hurricane relief.

They were scheduled to leave Thursday evening.

"Hurricane Ike is bearing down on Texas, and we have an opportunity to provide critical, potentially lifesaving support," said Kulongoski.

AP photo

Oregon National Guard soldiers helped on a similar mission in Louisiana after Katrina in 2005.

The squadron is made up of special tactics officers, combat controllers, special operations weathermen and other support personnel. They were to take zodiac boats, ATVs and other equipment.

The Oregon Guard sent two CH-47 Chinook helicopters and crews last week to San Angelo, Texas, on standby.