Guarding Texas 'til the cows come home Published Sept. 9, 2017 By Master Sgt. Shawn McCowan 147th Attack Wing Public Affaris BEAUMONT, Texas -- When Hurricane Harvey invaded the Gulf Coast of Texas, Government agencies from 40 states converged to provide assistance. Although Harvey delivered America its worst natural disaster, it also provided the chance for some of America's bravest and brightest to shine through teamwork and ingenuity. Army National Guard and Civil Air Patrol units steadily arrived from across the country to support the 147th Attack Wing, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Houston, local Civil Air Patrol, and other military units stationed at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas. The additional manpower and equipment allowed missions to expand beyond rescues. The Army National Guard's Company B, 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, from Canton, Ohio, provided relief for another one of Texas' biggest populations... cattle. 238th personnel loaded dozens of bales of hay into two CH-47 Chinook helicopters before launching in search of livestock stranded by flood waters. Before long, they found cattle on islands of high ground near Beaumont in Jefferson County. The unit spent several hours each day delivering hay wherever needed as they continued their mission of disaster assistance to Texans... all Texans.