LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va.
-- 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.
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 (Dr.) Russell Kilpatrick,
the command's surgeon, initially responded to Tyndall
to coordinate all requests for Air Force medical support.
He has since been named head of the Inter-Agency
Group located at Baton Rouge La.
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 Air Force Base.
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.
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, Barksdale AFB was 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.
