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SALT LAKE CITY — Some Utah National Guard members are in Morocco and ready "to respond if needed" after a deadly earthquake that took place there late Friday, according to officials.
The 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Marrakech left more than 2,000 people dead and another 2,000 injured.
Troops were scheduled to participate in a training for two weeks in Tangier. About 20 troops were already in Morocco ahead of the earthquake. No National Guard troops were injured when the earthquake happened.
Forty more are expected to arrive on Sunday, despite initial reports that troops were heading there to assist after a post from Gov. Spencer Cox.
Cox posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Utah stands ready to help through our strong military ties with the Kingdom."
"The Utah National Guard and the Kingdom of Morocco or the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have been partners for the last 20 years, in part of what the Department of Defense calls a State Partnership Program," said Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber, spokesman for the Utah National Guard.
Kroeber said every year, troops participate in a disaster response exercise called the Moroc Mantlet. By coincidence, this year's exercise is an "earthquake, scenario-driven exercise."
Honored to be with @UTNationalGuard today! The Utah National Guard is made up of Utahns who are proud citizens and community servants who are ready at a moment's notice to respond to our state and nation's call.
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) September 9, 2023
Thank you and your families for your service and dedication to… pic.twitter.com/uSTvHt5DFl
"These are our partners over the last 20 years, and we have a special connection with the Kingdom of Morocco," Kroeber said. "We as citizens of Utah, I think, share very similar values, as far as family and community orientation goes, with the people of Morocco, and our hearts just go out to them in this challenging time."
Utah's troops have not received specific orders to assist with disaster relief.
"We'll be there, we'll be prepared, we'll be staged and ready, and participating in an exercise unless we're diverted other ways," Kroeber said.
You can check the website to learn more about the State Partnership Program with Morocco.
