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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Nov 19, 2008 - 9:15:26 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| A patch on a uniform worn by a proud Air National Guard crew member. |
BEAUMONT, Texas - Rescue efforts in a large state like Texas and a large neighboring state to the right takes many levels of support and cooperative efforts and sometimes a simple conversation struck up in a diner.
Lt. Gen. (TX) Charles G. Rodriguez, The Adjutant General Texas Military Forces, visited the 136th Airlift Wing crew and medical personnel in Beaumont as they were beginning the careful task of medically evacuating patients from Beaumont to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
He met with Port Arthur police officer Tim Dinger at a diner on 29 Aug, 2008, and compared the responsibilities of the police with those assigned to the Texas Military Forces and made a connection that may prove valuable in the future. Officer Dinger said: "We are so much more aware of what needs to be done. Now we have backup generators and contracts to keep important facilities like this running."
Back at the airport, the medical crew was busy getting people comfortable on the aircraft, and the airport manager commented: "This is something we did three years ago with two hours notice. This time it was so much different. I am no less tired, but it is really worth it," he said with a tired smile.
As the transport aircraft rumbled down the tarmac and lifted off to the west, yet another bus arrived with more patients.
In the meantime, fleets of busses were lined up, carrying up to 500 area residents to Tyler, a four-hour trip to the north. "I really care about this. If I did not, I would not be here," said Sgt. Jessie Conley, assigned to A Company, 536th Forward Support Battalion.
By 1 Sep, 2008, seven missions had been flown from Beaumont to San Antonio and three from New Orleans to Austin, with a total of nearly 300 patients. In every city where patients arrived they were greeted warmly and shown the respect of welcome guests.
As somebody commented, when Soldiers or Airmen are medically evacuated, it is a much quicker process. Texas Army National Guard doctors and nurses know how to prepare patients for air transport. Transporting civilian patients is a whole different scenario. Patients are usually older and sicker and sometimes upset. They have medical equipment that does not necessarily lend itself to high altitude flying and they certainly cannot assist in their own rescue.
However, most were more excited about the fact that they got to fly aboard a C-130; a story that might very well be told and retold by generations to come.
Editor's Note : Col. William Meehan, Public Affairs Officer, contributed to this story.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Col Constance McNabb, Joint Surgeon, visits with her staff prior to one of the flights. |
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| Lt. Gen. (TX) Charles G. Rodriguez, talks with Port Arthur Police Officer Jim Dinger. |
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| Pvt. Curry is one of the Texas Army National Guardsmen entering patient information in database. |
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| State Contracted buses lined up for evacuation. |
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| Texas Military Forces high profile vehicles can be seen all along East Texas. |
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