NC National Guard ready for Hurricane Hanna

RALEIGH -- The North Carolina National Guard's Rapid Reaction Force is ready to respond if Hurricane Hanna hits. Forecasters said Hanna's track could carry the storm toward Florida, Georgia or South Carolina as it poses a threat to the U.S. East Coast. State officials said the Rapid Reaction Force is available for emergency missions anywhere in the state within 24 hours. The force is generally not used for hurricanes, but it deployed to Louisiana in the aftermath of Katrina in 2005. The North Carolina National Guard has approximately 11,500 soldiers and airmen, all of whom are trained in relief operations. AP-NY-09-03-08 0400EDT