Air Combat Command provides hurricane relief

Blackanthem.com, LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., September 03, 2005

Air Combat Command Airmen and equipment are providing much needed relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

More than 500 combat engineers, communication specialists, medical personnel and helicopter crews have deployed from ACC bases to provide a helping hand in the wake of one of the nation’s worst natural disasters.

The 823rd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE) Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., was placed on "high alert" while Hurricane Katrina churned toward the Gulf Coast Sunday. Eight hours after receiving orders to deploy, a 20-person assessment team, commanded by Capt Gordon Hunter, arrived at Keesler AFB. An 88-person main body force arrived 12 hours later with 1050 tons of heavy equipment, beddown material, supplies, and fuel.

Top priority was the re-opening of Keesler's runway. Working through the night, squadron leadership gave the green light for fully loaded C-17 operations Thursday ?morning. Away from the flight line, RED HORSE engineers evaluated the structural integrity of standing facilities and approved several for the housing of displaced military members and their families.

Today the HORSEMEN are securing the installation perimeter and clearing debris from base roads. They are also working to restore more military family housing. Electricians and utilities craftsmen had previously restored the main lift station ensuring the safe containment of the base’s waste water.

At Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., the 49th Materiel Maintenance Group has either begun deploying by truck or awaiting airlift to move five transportable tent city sets used to house military and civilian personnel. The tent cities are destined to be set up at Eglin AFB, Fla., Keesler AFB, Miss., and Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans.

The sets include billeting, kitchen, water purification, shower, and latrine facilities for more than 500 people each. Typically, 14 Airmen accompany the kits to set them up.

Four helicopters and crews from the 563d Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., and another helicopter plus two crews from the 54th Helicopter Flight from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., have deployed to assist in providing relief. The crews are trained in search and rescue and to transport people and supplies in and out of areas where ground travel isn’t available.

Air Combat Command is also providing support from the air not directly visible to those on the ground feeling the effect of Hurricane Katrina.

A U-2 "Dragonlady" surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., flew a 12-hour mission in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

to collect imagery of the devastation. The imagery will be used to help relief officials to prioritize disaster relief efforts.

In Louisiana itself, Barksdale AFB, has been designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as its federal mobilization center.

Two Hammer ACE units deployed to Keesler AFB. These specially trained communication units continue to restore vital communications for Keesler AFB.

At Langley, the command activated its 24-hour crisis action team early Tuesday afternoon to orchestrate and coordinated the deployment of command Airmen, equipment, and relief supplies.

Two high-ranking generals from Langley have deployed forward as well. Maj Gen Mike DeCuir, the command’s director of operations, is at Tyndall AFB, Fla., coordinating the numerous airpower requests for the beleaguered area. Brig Gen Russell Kilpatrick, the command’s surgeon general, is also at Tyndall and is responsible for coordinating all requests for Air Force medical support.

Source :  Air Combat Command Public Affairs