In an unprecedented move to help the victims of the hurricane, Gov. Jim Doyle has ordered 500 Wisconsin National Guard members to head to Louisiana.

About 50 troops got calls Wednesday night to be ready to head out in 24 hours. They will be aboard three Huey helicopters and two blackhawk helicopters, all equipped with rescue harnesses. They are also usable as air ambulances.

The rest of the detachment will follow within 48 hours in about 100 trucks. The troops will be entirely self-sufficient, bringing their own fuel, food and other supplies for at least ten.

"The order that I signed is unprecedented in Wisconsin's history," Doyle said. "But the terrible toll that this natural disaster has taken on the people in Louisiana and Mississippi is equally unprecedented. And I am proud that in Wisconsin, we have the Wisconsin National Guard that is prepared to answer the call to help them so quickly."

Included in the call up are the 132nd Support Batallion from Janesville, the 1157th transportation company from Oshkosh, the 147th aviation from Madison, the 832nd Medical Company from West Bend and the 64th Rear Operations Center from Monroe.

"There's also going to be about nine airmen going down there within the next 24 hours, actually flying the KC135 and a very special aircraft, the RC126, with a platform that would be able to locate people on the ground with the conditions we have down there right now," Maj. Gen Al Wilkening, adjutant general, Department of Military Affairs.

Governors across the country are being asked to make similar call ups.