NATCHEZ &045;&045; The air-conditioned banks of Natchez are a far cry from the deserts of Iraq, but where duty calls, the National Guard goes.

About 50 guardsmen from an Indiana unit have been based in Natchez for close to three weeks to cope with the Katrina aftermath. Three local guardsmen have joined them. The rest of the Natchez unit is stationed in Iraq.

&uot;Whatever we can do to help, we are here,&uot; said Spc. William Brantlinger from his post at AmSouth Bank. &uot;We are ready to stand anywhere they ask us to.&uot;

This week the Guard has had a presence in all the downtown banks, in the Convention Center and on the streets. Lines of evacuees have snaked the streets leading to the Convention Center, where the Red Cross is issuing checks. Lines at banks have been equally as long.

Last week they were stationed at area shelters.

Local guardsman Sgt. Herman Scott of Natchez has been in the National Guard for 27 years and served in Desert Storm. Thursday he was stationed at United Mississippi Bank on Commerce Street.

&uot;Since Desert Storm this has been the worst I’ve ever seen,&uot; he said. &uot;This has been an experience. I’ve never seen so many people as I have here in my life.&uot;

All of the guardsmen are armed with M-16 A-4 weapons, but have encountered no major problems.

&uot;You don’t very often get the chance to help out Americans,&uot; 19-year-old Pfc. Josh Staley said. &uot;I’m glad to get the chance to do it.&uot;

Staley, stationed at Britton & Koontz Bank on Main Street Thursday, is on his first activation. He was working with Spc. Ryan Williams, who has been a guardsman for five years.

Williams said he has served in Bosnia and in a relief effort similar to the current one after a flood in Indiana. He said most of his time in Natchez has been spent at the Convention Center, watching to doors and making sure the line continues to move.

The rest of the 180-member Indiana unit is serving in a similar capacity in Vicksburg.