The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) is investigating an incident where a Black Hawk helicopter disrupted Hurricane Helene relief efforts at a distribution center.
“A helicopter without identifying markings reportedly disrupted hurricane relief efforts at a distribution center in Burnsville, NC, sparking concern among local residents. The supplies were intended for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, which has caused significant damage in the area,” 100 Percent Fed Up reported.
“Witnesses claim that two unmarked black SUVs were seen slowly driving past the distribution site around 45 minutes before the helicopter arrived. TikTok user ‘megsbacn,’ a veteran involved in the local security operations, brought attention to the incident through social media,” the outlet continued.
"The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) is aware of an incident involving a NCNG UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a delivery of generators at the request of a local civilian organization to power their distribution outpost in western North Carolina," NCNG wrote.
The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) is aware of an incident involving a NCNG UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a delivery of generators at the request of a local civilian organization to power their distribution outpost in western North Carolina.
Continue reading below. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0KFThbDZ64
— NC National Guard (@NCNationalGuard) October 8, 2024
"While attempting to land, rotor wash caused items to blow away from the local distribution set up by a group of civilians in the area. The crew immediately identified the situation, aborted the landing for safety reasons, and departed the area," NCNG continued.
"This incident is currently under investigation and the crew has been grounded until the investigation is complete. The NCNG is working with the identified local civilian organization to assess the level of damage caused by the rotor wash," it added.
This incident is currently under investigation and the crew has been grounded until the investigation is complete. The NCNG is working with the identified local civilian organization to assess the level of damage caused by the rotor wash.
— NC National Guard (@NCNationalGuard) October 8, 2024
The civilian organization referenced is the United Cajun Navy.
"Y'all, we're trying really hard to stay out of the conspiracy space, but some people aren't making it easy. This actually happened to a distribution site we supplied in WNC. Make it make sense please," the group posted, with footage of the incident.
Y'all, we're trying really hard to stay out of the conspiracy space, but some people aren't making it easy. This actually happened to a distribution site we supplied in WNC. Make it make sense please. #CajunNavy https://t.co/39b5SeouCA
— United Cajun Navy (@Unitedcajunnavy) October 7, 2024
The Blaze reports:
United Cajun Navy Vice President Brian Trascher confirmed the investigation in a comment to Blaze News.
"We are grateful for the Swift actions taken by the National Guard and anxiously await the results of the investigation," said Trascher.
He also appeared on "The Glenn Beck Program" and described what the UCN knew about the incident.
Locals in the areas worst affected by Hurricane Helene have accused the federal government of stalling aid efforts, and some have even accused the federal government of impeding private aid organizations.
WATCH:
The Connecticut National Guard also commented on the incident.
"The Connecticut National Guard is aware of a video circulating around social media showing a UH-60 Blackhawk's rotor wash disrupting a distribution site in North Carolina. We are working with the appropriate authorities to investigate the situation," the Connecticut National Guard wrote.
"UPDATE: The initial investigation indicates the helicopter in the video belongs to the North Carolina National Guard. The pilots have been grounded until a further investigation can be completed," it added.
UPDATE: The initial investigation indicates the helicopter in the video belongs to the North Carolina National Guard. The pilots have been grounded until a further investigation can be completed.https://t.co/JjTyLop78X
— Connecticut National Guard (@CTNationalGuard) October 8, 2024
"My original post, identifying the helicopter as: ‘Fury 147 is a UH-60 assigned to the Connecticut Army National Guard. Flight tracker has it in the area at the correct time.’ my original post which included the flightradar24. com link, disappeared and my 𝕏 was throttled for ~24 hours. I never involved myself in any speculation as to why the incident occurred, I was simply responding to over 50 users DMing me to identify the helicopter. WTF?" X user 'Tony Seruga' wrote.
My original post, identifying the helicopter as: ‘Fury 147 is a UH-60 assigned to the Connecticut Army National Guard. Flight tracker has it in the area at the correct time.’ my original post which included the https://t.co/Jvf4vW64iT link, disappeared and my 𝕏 was throttled… pic.twitter.com/z2vBDY0cGU
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) October 8, 2024
In another post, Seruga claimed the NCNG took the fall to cover for the Connecticut National Guard helicopter.
"So tired of the lying! NCNG took the fall to cover for the CNG helicopter (were they CNG pilots?) But the person they are REALLY covering for is Alejandro Mayorkas," Seruga wrote.
"This ADS-B track (as well as tracks for other aircraft) disappear near Burnsville, NC at low altitudes (likely due to terrain) If this incident was an NCNG UH-60 then account for the CNG UH-60 in the same exact area at the same time. And what about the incident involving the Chinook?" he added.
Bullshit! So tired of the lying! NCNG took the fall to cover for the CNG helicopter (were they CNG pilots?)
But the person they are REALLY covering for is Alejandro Mayorkas. https://t.co/T2d53xtE3Q
This ADS-B track (as well as tracks for other aircraft) disappear near… pic.twitter.com/stOZodOyMn
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) October 9, 2024
"A day after a video went viral on social media that showed a Black Hawk helicopter's rotor wash blowing away relief supplies in western North Carolina, Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, the adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard, (NCNG) responded," ABC 11 wrote.
WATCH:
Per WRAL News:
The incident set off a firestorm of anger and conspiracy theories on social media with some saying they believe it was done on purpose.
The North Carolina National Guard is working with the identified local civilian organization to assess the level of damage caused by the rotor wash.
In a statement released on Facebook Tuesday, officials said safety is their number one priority, especially with the high volume of air operations currently happening in the region.
“While NCNG strives for precision in every mission, sometimes things don’t go as planned. When that happens, the NCNG takes it very seriously and are committed to addressing and correcting any issues to prevent future occurrences.”