National Guard rescues 78 goats, mule, dog and three people from Rio Grande flooding
New Mexico National Guard members and Oklahoma rescuers saved 78 goats, a mule, a dog and three people from Rio Grande flooding near San Antonio.
New Mexico troops and an Oklahoma swiftwater rescue team carried dozens of stranded goats to safety during a nearly four-hour operation in Socorro County.
Organ Mountain News report
SAN ANTONIO, N.M. - Rescuing people from floodwaters is challenging enough. Rescuing 78 goats, one mule and a dog — along with three people — requires an entirely different level of patience.
That's what 10 New Mexico National Guard members and an Oklahoma swiftwater rescue team accomplished Wednesday, Oct. 28, during a nearly four-hour operation along the flooded Rio Grande east of San Antonio in Socorro County.
According to the New Mexico National Guard, the rescuers individually caught, carried and loaded all 78 goats into boats before transporting them to safety. Three adults who had been helping the stranded animals were also evacuated.
The operation began around 10 a.m. and concluded at approximately 1:50 p.m.
A New Mexico National Guard Facebook post featuring photographs of the rescue began drawing widespread attention Wednesday evening. The post had attracted approximately 1,900 reactions, 115 comments and 343 shares by Saturday morning, with commenters praising the rescuers for bringing the people and animals to safety.
A rescue mission with 78 extra passengers
New Mexico Army and Air National Guard personnel worked alongside Oklahoma Task Force 3, a swiftwater rescue team assisting with flood-response operations.
The mission required rescuers to physically handle each goat, a particularly demanding task amid floodwaters and thick vegetation along the river.
The final count was 80 animals — 78 goats, one mule and one dog — and three adults brought to safety.
“Disaster response always brings the unexpected, and today’s mission in San Antonio was no exception,” said Maj. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the adjutant general of New Mexico. “Thanks to the seamless teamwork between our Soldiers and Airmen and our Oklahoma swiftwater rescue partners, three New Mexicans and 80 animals are safe tonight.”
Flood response continues across Socorro County
The unusual rescue came amid ongoing flood-response operations following weeks of unusually heavy rainfall in New Mexico.
National Guard members have been supporting local emergency management agencies and first responders across the state, including in Socorro County, where previous rescue and evacuation missions have assisted residents threatened by floodwaters in the Escondida, Pueblito and San Francisco areas.
The San Antonio mission involved personnel from several Army National Guard units, including the 920th Engineer Construction Company, 1209th Medical Company Area Support, 642nd Support Maintenance Company, 919th Military Police Company and New Mexico Medical Detachment.
Air National Guard personnel from the 150th Medical Group and 150th Maintenance Squadron also participated.
The New Mexico National Guard's account of the rescue ended with an affectionate nickname for the goats: the “Bleat Brigade.”
Based on reporting by Hank Minitrez, New Mexico National Guard public affairs director.
