Air Force ready to support Hurricane Rita recovery 

Blackanthem.com, WASHINGTON, D.C., September 25, 2005

Air Force Space Command ready to support Hurricane Rita recovery

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo - Helicopter crews from Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force are standing ready today to support relief operations following Hurricane Rita.

Six helicopters from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Malmstrom AFB, Mont., and Minot AFB, N.D. are preparing to deploy to the relief area to provide food, water and medical supplies as needed to affected areas.

"All of the Helos have forward-looking infrared radar; four Helos have hoist capabilities; and two can be used for search and rescue missions," said Col. Michael Vaughn, 20th Air Force director of operations.

During Hurricane Katrina, the helicopter teams logged more than 170 flying hours across 110 sorties and delivered more than 50,000 lbs of supplies.

If deployed, this will be the second time AFSPC has deployed its helicopters outside of their daily mission of intercontinental ballistic missile field security.


Helos deploy from F.E. Warren in support of hurricane relief

F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. - Twentieth Air Force deployed aircrews and support personnel from three of its bases to provide relief efforts in hurricane-stricken areas of Texas this morning.

"We responded with a substantial effort on our part to assist in the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina," said Maj. Gen. Frank Klotz, Twentieth Air Force commander. "Our support to assist in Hurricane Rita relief efforts will be no different. We are responding with some of our very best Airmen and helicopters to provide support to the relief effort in any way we can during these challenging times."

Six UH-1N "Huey" helicopters, two each from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., Minot AFB, N.D., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., with approximately 70 aircrew and support personnel, including medical, air crew support and maintenance members, will assist with search and rescue, and relief efforts.

Four helos from Minot and Malmstrom flew here Friday in preparation for today's departure.

The support contingency will be based at Dyess AFB, Texas, and will operate out of a location yet to be determined.


Air Force evacuated thousands, ready to assist in wake of Rita

WASHINGTON - Anticipating Hurricane Rita's landfall, the U.S. Air Force evacuated nearly 2,000 Gulf Coast residents Thursday to safe haven locations across the country's southeast, placed skilled teams of professionals into strategic positions and now continues to lean forward to meet the needs of the affected areas in the wake of Rita.

In the last 24 hours, 827 Airmen, including 805 Air National Guardsmen and Reservists, and 22 active duty members, have worked feverishly to aeromedically evacuate nearly 1,240 of the most vulnerable in the path of Hurricane Rita on board C-5, C-17 and C-141 aircraft, including new born babies, senior citizens living in adult care facilities and those simply left behind in the mass exodus from the coast.

Nineteen critically ill children and families, as well as 48 intensive care unit nurses, were evacuated from the Houston Children's Medical Center to the Arkansas Children's Medical Center via an Air National Guard C-130 aircraft.

In addition to the medically vulnerable, the Air Force airlift aircraft also evacuated roughly 700 coastal residents left behind in the exodus of more than 1.5 million. Evacuees were flown to safety at eight different locations across the southeast United States, with Lackland AFB in San Antonio taking the greatest number of displaced into base shelters.

An Air National Guard C-130 and its crew also returned 60 patients to Key West, FL, from a safe haven in Charlotte, NC.

To accomplish these aeromedical evacuations among other missions, the Air Force flew a total of 61 missions Friday, for a total of 74 missions flown to date in preparation and response to Hurricane Rita, and plans to fly an additional 9 missions today as the storm moves slowly through the Texas and Louisiana coastal areas.

The Air Force Hurricane Hunters, with the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron launched the final hurricane observation and data collection mission concerned with Hurricane Rita Thursday evening and landed early this morning.

The Air Force Eagle Vision program continues to capture satellite imagery around the clock of the Texas and Louisiana coastlines as Hurricane Rita rolls in to facilitate appropriate and precise response in the light of possible flooding, impacted roadways, airfields and supply routes to affected areas.

The Air Force continues to lean forward ready to assist in the wake of Hurricane Rita, anticipating where the service's people and capabilities will meet the needs of civil authorities charged with relief and response efforts.

- The Air Force has a director of mobility forces, a Contingency Response Group and a medical planning team deployed to Austin, Texas, to coordinate necessary relief efforts. A Contingency Response Group is a rapid-response force with an airfield-opening capability, critical to the arrival of initial support at damaged airfields and designated locations.

- Elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing, Travis AFB, CA, and the 621st CRW, McGuire AFB, NJ, stand ready on two-hour alert.

- Air Force airlifters are ready to facilitate movement of Defense Department assets into the affected areas.

- Thirteen HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters are poised on the tarmac at Randolph AFB, San Antonio, TX, for any necessary search and rescue efforts.

- Reconnaissance and communications capabilities are ready and tailorable to the response efforts that are required.

- Three Air Expeditionary Groups are formed to respond with a wide spectrum of recovery capabilities.

America's Air Force remains alerted to answer the call for emergency assistance. The U.S. Air Force's total force - active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members -- using a mix of airlift, medical support, reconnaissance, communications and logistics capabilities will remain engaged as long as needed.


U.S. Air Force U-2 aircraft provides Hurricane Rita imagery

WASHINGTON - The first U.S. Air Force U-2 surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft scheduled to collect images of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Rita hit will return Sunday afternoon.

A media availability will be offered Sunday afternoon, at Beale AFB, CA, to interview the pilot and Lt Col David Russell, the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron commander and pilot of a Hurricane Katrina support mission.

The unique mission requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will collect imagery of the Gulf Coast region from Lake Charles, La. to Brownsville, Texas to measure damages inflicted by Hurricane Rita. These post-Hurricane Rita images will be compared with photos taken from a mission Thursday before the hurricane struck land. Before and after photos allow emergency officials to accurately measure the damage and plan emergency relief and evacuation efforts.

The Optical Bar Camera carried is ideal for this type of mission due to its ability to capturing high-resolution photographs of large areas, coupled with the ability to magnify those images.


Minot AFB helicopters, crews ready to support Hurricane Rita recovery

WASHINGTON - Ten Airmen, four civilian contractors and two UH-1N "Huey" helicopters from the 54th Helicopter Flight departed Minot AFB, ND, today en route to F.E. Warren AFB, WY. in preparation for relief operations following Hurricane Rita.

Minot's helicopters will rendezvous with four other helicopters from F.E. Warren AFB and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., as part of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force preparations to deploy to the relief area to provide food, water and medical supplies as needed to affected areas.

"The Air Force is planning ahead and marshalling its forces to be prepared to go into action if the call comes." said Col. Dan Adams, 91st Space Wing commander. "The proud professionals of the 54th HF stand ready to assist at a moments notice; bringing their superior expertise and training to bear should the need arise.

The crews are trained in search and rescue and as well as transporting people and supplies to areas where ground travel isn't available. Specific mission requirements will be determined once the crews are in place.

At this time, there is no defined time limit on how long the crews will be deployed.

The 54th HF was called upon Sept. 2 for the initial humanitarian support for Joint Task Force Katrina and returned Sept. 17.


U.S. Air Force U-2 aircraft provides Hurricane Rita imagery

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The first U.S. Air Force U-2 surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft tasked to collect images of the Gulf Coast before Hurricane Rita hits returned to Beale Air Force Base, Calif. at approximately 4 p.m. yesterday.

The unique mission requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, collected imagery of the Gulf Coast region from Lake Charles, La. to Brownsville, Texas in preparation of Hurricane Rita. Before and after photos allow emergency officials to accurately measure the damage and plan emergency relief and evacuation efforts.

"The 9th Reconnaissance Wing flew three high-altitude missions in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, surveying approximately 130,000 square miles of territory and helping to provide more than 4,470 frames of imagery," said Col. Domenick Eanniello, 9th Reconnaissance Wing vice commander. "While our thoughts and prayers remain with those devastated by Hurricane Katrina, we are now continuing our support of FEMA by helping to prepare for Hurricane Rita."

The Optical Bar Camera carried is ideal for this type of mission due to its ability to capturing high-resolution photographs of large areas, coupled with the ability to magnify those images.

If requested, the 9th Reconnaissance Wing is standing by to obtain additional imagery of any devastation that may be caused by Hurricane Rita.


McChord pre-positions C-17 in Gulf Coast region for hurricane response

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. - Active-duty Airmen from the 10th Airlift Squadron left McChord Air Force Base, Wash., at 9:30 a.m. today, to fly to Kelly Air Field, Texas, in preparation for Hurricane Rita.

The pre-positioned jet carries no cargo and a crew of five Airmen. Its exact mission once it reaches the Gulf Coast region has not been determined at this time.

Once this crew departs, Team McChord will still have two aircrews on alert to support hurricane response operations. The base was recently tasked by Air Mobility Command to prepare all necessary people and equipment if the call should come to assist.

"Team McChord is ready to respond," said Col. Steve Arquiette, vice commander of the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord. "McChord Airmen are currently still providing relief to Hurricane Katrina victims and now we're postured to expand those relief missions as needed."

Besides the active-duty 62nd AW, the Reserve 446th AW sent a C-17 to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Thursday to pick up 400 patient litters and 800 cargo straps.

During the first week following Hurricane Katrina, Team McChord evacuated more than 1,100 people from New Orleans and delivered more than 550 tons of equipment, water, food and medical supplies. Team McChord also flew 43 members of the 82nd Army Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C. to New Orleans and delivered aviation power and light equipment to Louis Armstrong International Airport.


McChord preparing for Hurricane Rita relief missions

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash - Active-duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing and Reservists from the 446th AW, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., are leaning forward in preparation for Hurricane Rita's impact on the Gulf Coast by readying aircrews and aircraft.

McChord has been tasked by Air Mobility Command to prepare all necessary people and equipment if the call should come to transport life-saving essentials to the region. Team McChord now has three aircrews on alert to support hurricane relief operations.

"Team McChord is ready to respond," said Col. Steve Arquiette, vice commander of the 62nd AW at McChord. "McChord Airmen are currently still providing relief to Hurricane Katrina victims and now we're postured to expand those relief missions as needed."

During the first week following Hurricane Katrina, Team McChord evacuated more than 1,100 people from New Orleans and delivered more than 550 tons of equipment, water, food and medical supplies. Team McChord also flew 43 members of the 82nd Army Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C. to New Orleans and delivered aviation power and light equipment to Louis Armstrong International Airport.
 

Little Rock Airmen put on alert for Hurricane Rita relief

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark - Twelve aircrews and C-130's were put on alert this morning to support Hurricane Rita relief efforts.

Hurricane Rita is a currently a Category 4 hurricane forecasted to hit the Texas-Louisiana coastline late Friday or early Saturday.

"We have the ability to deploy anytime and anywhere to respond quickly to any situation around the world," said Col. Andy Hamilton, 314 Operations Group commander. "We feel it is important to use this capability in times of emergency."

The Department of Defense is providing proactive support for Hurricane Rita relief efforts and they are trying to anticipate requirements and position the right support, at the right time in the right place, according to DOD officials.

"Little Rock Air Force Base and the Air Force have unique capabilities that allow us to support the relief efforts. We stand ready to respond if called upon," Colonel Hamilton said.

Once the order to support is given, aircrews and their planes will be in the air in no more than three hours.


Reserve crew tapped to fly Hurricane Rita support mission

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. - The first McChord crew out of the gate in support of Hurricane Rita is from the Air Force Reserve's 313th Airlift Squadron here.

The Reservists will take off in a C-17 Globemaster III at about 3:30 p.m., today, heading to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., to pick up 400 patient litters and 800 cargo straps, before heading to Beaumont, Texas where the equipment will be pre-positioned for possible use in evacuating non-ambulatory patients.

"We appreciate being a part of the effort to ensure the safety of Americans put at risk by this storm," said Maj. Keith Franke, an Air Force Reserve pilot who led a C-17 aircrew just a few days ago transporting relief supplies to Mississippi's Gulf Coast and New Orleans for victims of Hurricane Katrina. "We have a huge hauling capacity with this aircraft so we, along with other airlift units, can help make sure that what's needed most gets to where it will be most useful."

Both the Reserve 446th Airlift Wing and active-duty 62nd Airlift Wing here have crews on standby, ready to leave when the call for assistance comes through command authorities.

During the first week following Hurricane Katrina, Team McChord evacuated more than 1,100 people from New Orleans and delivered more than 550 tons of equipment, water, food and medical supplies.

Source :  Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs