Bermuda Regiment soldiers yesterday flew out to Turks and Caicos on their mission to help repair damage wreaked by Hurricane Ike.

Two United States Coast Guard planes carrying 52 personnel, including some from the Parks Department, as well as equipment and supplies, left L.F. Wade International Airport during the afternoon.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Premier Ewart Brown, US Consulate General Gregory Slayton and Public Safety Minister David Burch saw them off with brief speeches.

The storm is reported to have left 80 percent of homes on Grand Turk and South Caicos damaged after it made landfall as a Category Four hurricane, with sustained winds over 130 miles per hour.

Bermudian soldiers will provide temporary and permanent repairs to school buildings and administrative offices, while Parks staff will concentrate on route clearance.

They will be accommodated in an established emergency shelter which forms part of the Island's community college.

Most will be there for four weeks, with about 20 relieved by a second contingent in two weeks.

Soldiers speaking to The Royal Gazette at the airport said they were eagerly anticipating their assignment.

Corporal Robert Pedro, 22, from Smith's, said: "It's a great thing to be able to help people out and I'm excited about going to a new country.

"I haven't a clue about Turks and Caicos — it's the first time I've heard about this island."

Corporal Larry Samuels, 54, from Paget, said: "The chance to go down and help somebody get sorted out is a great feeling.

"Plus, it's a change of schedule. You look at yourself here, doing stuff for yourself.

"Now you can get away from the technological stuff, go down there and get back to grass roots."

Sgt. Major Rupert Lambert, 35, from Somerset, waved goodbye to his tearful three-month-old son Rico.

"He must know his daddy's leaving," he said. "For us personally, it's part of the work. This is what we train for."

Sgt. Major Arnold Allen, 50, from Warwick, said: "I've done this quite a few years, but it's exciting to take young new boys down, watch them going out to help in different parts of the world."

Sir Richard told the troops: "You have trained for disaster relief and recovery efforts in Bermuda and now you have the opportunity to lend your skills to our overseas neighbours, once again."

The Premier told the media: "Our troops are doing a tremendous service on behalf of Bermuda, and every resident should be proud of our soldiers. And we know that their efforts will be greatly appreciated by the Government and the people of Turks and Caicos."

Mr. Slayton said: "This humanitarian airlift is another great example of the cooperation that marks the relationship between the United States and Bermuda.

"The US Coast Guard and the Bermuda Regiment are to be commended for working together to ease the suffering of those devastated by Hurricane Ike."

Sen. Burch, a former recruit himself, said: "We expect that this will truly be a memorable experience for our soldiers.

"Prior to their departure, I told them that the mission they are embarking on will be hard, and at times back-breaking. However at the end of the day, they will feel proud of their achievement."