Supporting recovery with local ties: Will Rackcliff’s role in the response to Hurricane Milton | Article

As the devastation from Hurricane Milton unfolds, logistics teams are essential to the national recovery effort. Among them is Will Rackcliff, logistics management specialist and regional logistics planner for the Northwestern Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), currently deployed in Jacksonville, Florida. Despite being based in Portland, Oregon, this commitment is personal for Rackcliff, a native of Central Florida, an area hit hard by both Hurricane Helene and Milton.

“My own family members were affected by Milton in some way,” Rackcliff said. “From local flooding, wind damage, debris and power outages. I let them know and tell them to spread our capabilities. I can also explain the challenges we face in supporting the recovery.”

As part of USACE’s emergency response efforts, Rackcliff serves as the Logistics Contingency Response Subject Matter Expert (CRSME) and Logistics Primary Response Team (LPRT) Lead. His role puts him at the heart of coordinating logistics support for the recovery, including delivering supplies, managing transportation and working closely with federal, state and local agencies.

“Our responsibilities include coordinating the delivery of critical supplies such as fuel, lodging support, resolving rental car conflicts, and coordinating between the supported district and follow-up responders such as the Blue Roof team,” Rackcliff said. “My team and I are working closely with federal, state and local agencies to ensure recovery teams have what they need to help affected communities.”

But the task is far from easy. According to Rackcliff, managing expectations and dealing with limited infrastructure resources are some of the key challenges in a post-hurricane environment.

“The biggest initial challenge is managing expectations for incoming responders who may not understand the damage to infrastructure, making finding resources and shelter difficult,” he explains. “It takes a while for them to be flexible in dealing with the challenges, especially if they have never been deployed before. We must also limit delays to essential deliveries if FEMA is not set up for direct support early in the event.”

Rackcliff’s deployment to Jacksonville is one of many in his extensive career at USACE. With nine years of experience leading LPRT teams and multiple deployments, including five to Afghanistan, Rackcliff is well prepared for the complexities of disaster recovery.

“My past experiences as a Combat Engineer (Sapper) and as a logistics lead for all USACE Afghan operations have honed my skills in organization, flexibility, decision-making and team leadership, especially in high-pressure environments,” said Rackcliff.

The work of USACE Logistics teams often takes place behind the scenes, but is essential to the overall recovery mission. Logistical support ensures that emergency responders and recovery personnel have the tools and resources needed to assist those affected.

“From providing personal protective equipment to ensuring vehicles are fueled and operational, logistics support ensures first responders can do their work,” Rackcliff said. “It’s also about managing supply chains to avoid delays and ensure resources are replenished as needed.”

Despite the difficulties, Rackcliff takes pride in knowing that his work directly benefits the people of Florida, many of whom are family and friends.

“This is personal for me,” he said. “We are working with partners at all levels of government to restore services, deliver supplies and rebuild infrastructure.”

For Rackcliff, the opportunity to serve in this capacity is an opportunity to give back to his community and make a lasting impact. USACE employees often find themselves in positions where their work directly impacts the communities in which they live and care about, something Rackcliff deeply values.

When asked what advice he would give to others considering joining an emergency logistics team, Rackcliff encouraged those interested to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Being part of an emergency logistics team is challenging but very rewarding,” said Rackcliff. “It requires flexibility, quick thinking and a strong commitment to helping others. This experience also prepares one to deal with many life challenges.”

As recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Rackcliff’s work and the work of his fellow USACE logistics team members will remain essential to helping communities rebuild and recover. With deep ties to the region, Rackcliff’s commitment exemplifies the dedication and personal connection that many USACE employees bring to their work, ensuring they make a positive difference where it matters most.