These additional UH-72B aircraft will enable the ARNG to continue effectively performing the vital SWB, CD, and DOMOPS missions with the additional power and safety upgrades needed for critical high/hot operations. The UH-72 S&S Battalion mission suite, which includes communications links and an EO/IR sensor, provides the complete ISR package needed to execute these essential missions. Many disaster response request are short notice missions. One strength of having a variety of aircraft stationed across the country is the ability to react to a variety of required missions with trained and ready crews. This enables the ARNG to rapidly respond in the first 48 hours of any disaster. Hoist missions, if required, usually occur within that window of time. Additionally, performing the vital SWB, CD, and DOMOPS missions with the additional power and safety upgrades needed for critical high/hot operations. Moreover, the additional power and MEP upgrades will allow the ARNG to train for the Air Cavalry Mission until a suitable replacement is introduced in the ARNG. These UH-72B MEP equipped helicopters are vital for the dual use domestic operations missions as well as the wartime missions that the ARNG has been conducting for decades.