Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
On September 25, 2024 the Governor of South Carolina, The Honorable Henry McMaster, declared a state of emergency in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. The South Carolina State Guard was among several units of the South Carolina Military Department immediately activated in response to recovery efforts.
More than 150 State Guard soldiers were mobilized and quickly responded, showing exemplary proficiency, professionalism, and dedication while engaged in field operations across the state. Two of these soldiers, Major Norma Rockwell and her husband Command Sergeant Major Edward Rockwell, both of Blackville, were activated in the Columbia area.
Major Rockwell spent time in the field assessing damages to homes around Barnwell County with volunteer Austin Gordon.
Accompanying them was Bobbie Williams, the newest Barnwell County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member. Williams was busy with her driver assessing damages in the Williston area. Photos and a brief assessment of damages were transmitted “real time” to Barnwell County’s Emergency Operations
Center for further FEMA damage assessments.
“This is what the South Carolina State Guard trains for on a regular basis,” said Major Rockwell, Executive Office, Logistics for the South Carolina State Guard. “Our motto is ‘Trained and Ready’ and when Hurricane Helene came ashore in South Carolina, our soldiers were indeed trained and ready to respond.”
MSG Ed Rockwell was responsible for managing a vital part of the ongoing missions, transporting personnel and equipment throughout the state to supply necessary material in the recovery operations.
As the Senior Non-Commisioned Officer of the SCSG Logistics and Supply unit, MSG Rockwell also assisted with meals and issuing supplies until all State Guard personnel completed their missions and were demobilized October 9th.
"Keeping any unit supplied during operations is vital to the success of the mission, whether it involves moving supplies and troops to the appropriate location or keeping everyone fed,” said MSG Rockwell. “Without the proper support from headquarters, our troops cannot be effective and conduct their assigned tasks. It was important that everything ran smoothly during this critical time.”
When not in the field, both Major Rockwell was assigned to the SCSG Tactical Operations Center. The “TOC” as it is known, is responsible for coordinating transportation of personnel, deploying equipment, reporting events, and is the nerve center of the recovery operations for the State Guard during times of active operations.
For further information about joining the South Carolina State Guard, visit
their website www.sc.sg. gov.
Norma Rockwell is also the Barnwell County CERT Program Manager and teaches the 24 hour Basic CERT course at no charge.
For more information on the Barnwell program, contact Major Rockwell at norma. rockwell@gmail.com.
For more information on the South Carolina State Guard, Hurricane Helene operations or future missions of the SCSG, please contact the Public Affairs unit.
About the South Carolina State Guard
The South Carolina State Guard swiftly responds to disasters, safeguarding people, property, and aiding community recovery alongside the National Guard and law enforcement when called upon. It operates under the direction of the Adjutant General within the South Carolina Military Department, with the Governor as its
Commander in Chief.
