COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio National Guard is sending a helicopter and crew to Louisiana to

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio National Guard is sending a helicopter and crew to Louisiana to help that state prepare for Hurricane Gustav.

The guard will provide a CH-47 Chinook helicopter and five crew members from Company B, 238th General Support Aviation Battalion in Akron.

The guard is sending the crew at the request of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The Ohio unit expects to put supplies in place, help with search and rescue operations and move evacuees.

Gustav swelled to a Category 3 hurricane overnight as it heads toward the Gulf Coast.