AUSTIN  Governor Greg Abbott today requestedfrom Secretary of Defense General James Mattis that a Texas National GuardDual Status Command (DSC)be establishedallowingfor asingle commander for both federaland state forces to overseeresponse to thedevastation statewide of Hurricane Harvey.

 

"It is imperative that we give our military and first responders on the ground the most efficient method of execution when responding to the urgent needs of Texans," said Governor Abbot. "The Dual Status Command will ensure that the Texas National Guard is overseeing all response effortsin a way that most closely coordinates with federaltroops and military efforts to ensure the needs of thevictims of Hurricane Harvey are being met as swiftly and effectively as possible. I thankSecretaryMattis for his cooperation and immediateresponse to our requestandcontinue to assure the people of this state that Texas is doing everything possible to aid in your time of need."

 

The DSC will centralize command and control,provide both federal troopsand the Texas National Guardchains of command with a common operating picture, andfacilitate

 

unity of effort from all assigned forces. During the DSC operation, the National Guard remains a state entity under the exclusive commandand control of the governor, while the president remains the commander-in-chief of federal troops.