National Guard Members Use Thermal Imaging To Search For Tornado Survivors

The search for survivors in Moore continued after dark, and while things have slowed down significantly Tuesday night, Monday night many people were recovered after the sun went down.

That's thanks in large part to the National Guardsmen and women who have been doing a lot of the digging, making good use of their high-tech military equipment. According to the governor's office, 122 members were deployed in 46 vehicles throughout the area.

The 45th infantry combat brigade jumped back into action, this time on their home soil and at the most devastating site of Monday's tornado, the Plaza Towers Elementary School.

5/21/2013 Related Story: Oklahoma National Guard Video: Rescue Efforts Using Thermal Imaging Technology

Rescue crews worked their way through the rubble while the soldiers secured the perimeter, and even after seeing war, some of Oklahoma's 45th were visibly shaken.

"When you get out here and you see all the devastation and the people who were affected, it really hits hard," said Spc. Josh Gragert.

Meanwhile, members of the 146th put boots on the ground in neighborhoods, looking for the living with heat sensing thermal technology.

"Thermal imagers allow us to see cold warm bodies, people in the dark. [With] night vision equipment, we can see in the dark, low light instances," said 2nd Lt. Gabriel Bird.

Each soldier is equipped with a radio, not only to communicate with each other on the ground, but also with helicopters searching from above.

It was a tactical mission to help the people of Moore, but soldiers say it's more than just a duty.

"You know your heart just goes out to them. Everybody wants to get out here and help. That's just part of being a soldier," Gragert said.

The Guard has also been working to bring drinking water to the area.

Of course, it's not just the National Guard out there. Other first responders and volunteers from all over the state are working just as hard. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports 86 law enforcement personnel from state and federal agencies are stationed on checkpoints around the path of the destruction.

Complete Coverage: May 2013 Tornado Outbreak