Fort Bragg soldiers help Lakeland airfield recover after Irma

FLORIDA (WTVD) -- The mission for Task Force All American Lift and Task Force Victory has been canceled.

On Monday, a convoy of nearly 300 troops from the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command left Fort Bragg for Lakeland, Florida, where they prepared for a potential mission in south Florida.

Troops spent days organizing equipment and supplies, including cots, water, water purification systems, and food.

READ MORE: Fort Bragg troops in Florida: 'Help is on the way'

Originally the troops were tasked with sending the supplies to Miramar, Florida, where National Guard and FEMA personnel are maintaining shelters.

While that operation was scrapped, the troops found a new one.

Soldiers spent Friday clearing debris and removing downed trees from their staging grounds, "Sun and Fun."

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The private airfield suffered damage to one-third of its campus.

In addition, troops also helped load supplies onto private jets headed to help victims in Key West.

Even though plans changed, the Fort Bragg troops said their response is a testament to their readiness and commitment to help here at home.

"It's difficult to see your own folks in need, struggling like this," said Command Sergeant Major Robert Root. "This is my first hurricane relief mission so it's new to me. But we prepare for any movement pretty much the same way. Make sure our equipment is ready to go. Troops trained and our families back at Fort Bragg (are) taken care of."

ABC11's Fayetteville/Fort Bragg reporter Morgan Norwood traveled alongside troops as they convoyed to Florida.