Feeding cows may not be a typical duty of a National Guard member, but it was all in a day's work for the Oklahoma National Guard after heavy rains stranded a rancher's animals in Muskogee County.
According to The Associated Press, rancher Robert Vinson moved his cattle to higher ground when a weekend forecast predicted rain, leaving enough food to feed the animals for a few days. But when the rain was so extreme that the roads remained flooded days later, Vinson had no way to feed his cows.
That's where the National Guard came in.
Former military members can still provide valuable service by helping other vets.
Vinson first contacted the fire department, and the request was sent higher and higher up the chain until it reached the Oklahoma National Guard's Joint Operations Center, the National Guard reported. The mission was approved, and on May 27 a helicopter of guardsmen was sent to Muskogee County where it transported enough hay and dry feed to last the cows a week.
"This [mission] is different than what we normally do, but I really enjoy helping people here at home," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael McGill, the commander of the mission's aircraft.