The 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma was scheduled to head to New Orleans early today to help with relief efforts.

An unspecified number of airmen were scheduled to leave at 12:40 a.m., said Staff Sgt. Corinna Quick with McChord public affairs.

Also, nearly 600 Washington National Guardsmen are being readied for deployment to the Gulf Coast states and may leave next week.

State employees and local volunteers already have arrived in Louisiana and Mississippi, according to Gov. Christine Gregoire's office.