Members of Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing are getting ready to deploy as Hurricane Florence makes its way toward the southeastern coast of the United States.  

The Rescue Wing is run out of the Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach. The members are trained to rescue people who may be trapped on roofs or during other life-threatening situations.

Boat teams left Wednesday morning from the base and additional teams are expected to leave Thursday. They are heading to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, then heading further south as needed.

Capt. Michael O'Hagan says their team made over 2,000 rescues in responding to hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Texas last year. He is one of the about 50 men and women who will be leaving the base with the supplies and vehicles needed in the rescue effort. He says it's a “call to duty.”

News 12 was told that more members of the 106th Rescue Wing are expected to be deployed over the coming days.