SHELBYVILLE, Ind. — Soldiers with the Indiana National Guard are heading to Florida to help rescue people and deliver supplies where it needs to go as people struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

About a dozen soldiers boarded two Blackhawk helicopters on Thursday and departed from their base in Shelbyville.

“They’re just in a bad situation in Florida right now,” said National Guard pilot Matthew Fisher. “We have the time and resources here in Indiana to help out, so it feels good to be able to help the community.”

Three flight crews and mechanics will arrive in Florida today. The helicopters can carry about 9,000 pounds of goods including water, food, and medical supplies.

Fisher says they train regularly for these types of situations.

“I’d say I’m excited,” Fisher said. “This is something we train for weekly and daily, something we think about, and it feels good to be able to put all that training to come to fruition and will help out people that need it.”