AFNORTH activates recovery center for Gustav

Chief Master Sgt. Steve Bell, the Joint Personnel Recovery Center search and rescue controller, monitors the path of Hurricane Gustav. The JPRC is specialty team of America's Air Operations Center that coordinates large-scale search and rescue operations during contigencies such as hurricanes or other natural or man-made disasters. (U.S. Air Force photo)

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla (AFPN) -- Officials with the 601st Air and Space Operations Center have activated the Joint Personnel Recovery Center in preparation for landfall of Hurricane Gustav.

Located here, JPRC personnel focus specifically on large-scale search and rescue, or SAR, operations in the event of a hurricane or natural disaster. When a disaster occurs, JPRC officials activate and coordinate the SAR actions of all rescue aircraft in the disaster area to improve the efficiency of rescue operations and reduce the potential for mishaps.

As part of AFNORTH's preparation for Hurricane Gustav, JPRC specialists identified Air Force active duty aircraft in the U.S. available to support a SAR tasking. JPRC officials also identify assets from all branches of the service, to include the U.S. Coast Guard, in order to better coordinate SAR activities.

The JPRC is one of several resources that America's Air Operations Center employs in its Defense Support of Civil Authorities role.

"The JPRC is an AOC specialty team that stands up as the need arises," said Chief Master Sgt. Steve Bell, JPRC SAR coordinator. "We have the capability to conduct large-scale SAR operations during contingencies, such as hurricanes or other natural or man-made disasters, making the JPRC a valuable asset to the DSCA mission."

Air Guard Assists Thousands Displaced by Gustav

By Air Force Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith, Special to American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 2, 2008 - With tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents in the potential path of Hurricane Gustav during the Labor Day weekend, Air National Guard members put aside their last-minute school shopping and backyard picnics to bring their states' Guard airpower to the displaced.

Taking to the skies Aug. 30 and 31 were Air Guard aeromedical evacuation squadrons from at least four states. They deployed their aircrews, aircraft and medical specialists to a mobile air staging facility in Carswell, Texas. In total, the team air evacuated more than 473 patients. At least seven other states prepared aeromedical teams to respond to calls for emergency assistance.

In all, the National Guard's soldiers and airmen helped evacuate nearly 17,000 Gulf Coast residents via the skies and roadways, including 325 special-needs patients, from New Orleans before the storm's arrival yesterday.

A medical team of Air Guard members including five C-130 Hercules aircraft and a Delaware Air Guard C-130 and airmen from West Virginia, Oklahoma and Tennessee helped airlift at least 247 patients from Beaumont, Texas. The patients were medically assessed, monitored and flown out of the storm's path to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. The highly trained flight medics then boarded their aircraft and flew to Belle Chasse Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base outside New Orleans to assist in the Guard's continued Gustav relief missions.

"The Air National Guard medical community is honored and humbled to bring our medical talent and compassion to communities in times of need," said Air Force Col. (Dr.) Constance McNabb, Texas Military Forces joint surgeon, in a state news release. "Helping other people is why Guard medics serve."

On the receiving end, more than 160 Kentucky Air Guard members in Louisville assisted thousands of displaced people who were flown out of New Orleans on commercial aircraft to the Kentucky Air National Guard Base there. They were then taken by bus to Red Cross shelters at the Louisville fairgrounds and in Lexington.

"Kentucky is a reception state to displaced persons being evacuated from New Orleans via commercial airlines," Air Force Capt. Dale Greer, Kentucky Guard spokesman, said. He reported that the hurricane evacuation was a multi-agency effort calling on the resources of federal, state and local governments, as well as the American Red Cross.

Other Air Guard members at McGee Tyson Air Guard Base in Knoxville, Tenn., and in Nashville and Memphis, received similar evacuee missions at their bases.

Still other Air Guard units positioned their states' assets around the nation to better support potential storm-damaged states after Gustav's landfall.

In West Virginia, Air Guard aircrews and their C-130s from the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston transported a special joint National Guard communications support team with their radio, telephone, video and satellite equipment to Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 31.

A Mississippi C-17 Globemaster III transport jet and aircrew of the 172nd Airlift Wing – which flies the nation's aeromedical evacuation missions from Balad Air Base, Iraq – flew to Anchorage, Alaska, and delivered two Army Guard HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Jackson, Miss.

In Sioux City, Iowa, an aircrew from the 185th Air Refueling Wing flew their KC-135 Stratotanker and transported 50 Army Guard members and equipment from the state to Alexandria, La.

In all, Guard officials said nearly 14,000 National Guard airmen and soldiers were positioned with their equipment over the holiday weekend.

The Kansas Air Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, which flew the state's 35th Infantry Division advance-party soldiers to Alexandria, La. -- Two Nevada Air Guard aircrews and C-130s from the 152nd Airlift Wing flew to the Gulf Coast area to prepare for airlift missions.

The New York Air Guard deployed 15 aeromedical airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing, as well as two HH-60 Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and 16 airmen from the 106th Rescue Wing. In Mississippi, the 186th Air Refueling Wing in Meridian was on full alert with an RC-26 reconnaissance aircraft and aircrew to assist in hurricane response missions. The California Air Guard deployed 19 airmen, including pararescuemen and two HH-60s, and was planning to deploy additional Airmen, aircraft and pararescue equipment to the Gulf Coast.

Milcom Blog Logs - A Central Florida Edition

My good friend Jack down in Deltona passes along the following Blog Logs monitoring 8/1-8/31. If you have some logs to pass along an want to share them with the thousands of readers of this blog, email them to the address in the masthead.

"August was kind of slow with no carrier's off-shore."

225.3500 R-2910 PINECASTLE RANGE "IMPACT"
227.0750 EGLIN AFB W-470A
228.2000 EAGLE-1 w/EAGLE BASE
228.2250 MOODY AFB GA 347 RQG "ANGEL OPS"
228.6500 ACC EXERCISE'S
233.7000 MOODY AFB GA APPROACH/DEPARTURE
234.8000 125 FW JACKSONVILLE IAP
235.1000 AR-200
235.9250 EXERCISE/TRAINING FREQ
236.0750 MOODY AFB GA GRAND BAY RANGE
236.8200 MOODY AFB GA A-10 DEMO TEAM
237.7000 NAVY
238.3000 USAF
238.8000 NAS KEY WEST AF OPS
239.0000 ORLANDO EXEC TOWER
239.3000 NAS MAYPORT TOWER
245.4000 LANTCOM
245.7000 ARMY
246.8000 NAS MAYPORT HSL-44 AIR TO AIR
250.3000 MCAS BEAUFORT SC VMFA-224
251.1500 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
251.2500 125 FW JACKSONVILLE IAP
251.2500 HURLBURT FLD CMD POST
251.4000 MCAS BEAUFORT SC VMFA-122
252.9250 HAVEQUICK
253.1000 MCAS BEAUFORT SC VMFA-122
253.7000 125 FW JACKSONVILLE IAP
254.2000 TYNDALL AFB 601 AIR OPERATIONS CENTER "HUNTRESS"
254.3250 ZJX SECTOR TAYLOR w/125.375
255.1250 UNKNOWN
255.4000 FSS
256.7500 UNKNOWN
256.8750 ZJX SECTOR
256.8750 ZMA AVON PARK
257.9000 FAA UNKNOWN
261.2500 R-2907 LAKE GEOGRE TARGETS PINECASTLE RANGE
261.4000 TYNDALL AFB 601 AIR OPERATIONS CENTER "HUNTRESS"
263.4500 MOODY AFB GA METRO
265.3000 NAVY UNKNOWN
267.5000 FACSFAC JAX "SEALORD"
265.9000 FACSFAC JAX "SEALORD" DISCRETE
267.8500 HAVEQUICK
269.2250 ZJX UNKNOWN
269.3000 ZMA SECTOR BAIRN
269.3250 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
269.4000 TAMPA IAP TOWER
269.4000 MOODY AFB GA HOG MOA
269.6000 ZJX SECTOR LAWTEY - UH w/132.825
270.3250 ZMA SECTOR PERMT
270.8500 NAS KEY WEST TARPON RANGE
271.1000 J-STARS
271.4000 NAS JAX SEA CONTROL WING ALTANTIC BASE
271.8000 TYNDALL AFB 95 FS INTERFLIGHT
273.5000 PATRICK AFB ATIS
273.5500 ZKX SECTOR ST JOHNS-LO w/134.0
273.7000 NAS KEY WEST TARPON RANGE
274.1000 CARRIER AIR WINGS COMMON INTERFLIGHT
275.5000 BOEING FLIGHT TEST ST AUGUSTINE
275.6500 NAS MAYPORT FLIGHT OPERATIONS
276.3250 EXERCISE/TRAINING
276.4000 FAA UNKNOWN
276.5000 AR-655
277.8000 NAVY FLEET COMMON
279.7500 HAVEQUICK
281.0000 NAS JAX ATIS
281.6000 AIR FORCE UNKNOWN
282.2000 ZJX SECTOR JEKYLL-LO w/124.675
282.3000 ZJX SECTOR ALMA-HI w/135.975
282.4250 CUSTOMS
282.6000 TYNDALL AFB 601 AIR OPERATIONS CENTER "HUNTRESS"
283.4000 MCAS BEAUFORT SC VMFA-122
283.8500 EXERCISE/TRAINING
284.0000 CAPE CANAVERAL AFS TOWER
284.4000 NAVY UNKNOWN
284.5000 FACSFAC JAX "SEALORD"
285.5000 ZMA SECTOR AVON
285.6500 ZJX SECTOR STATES-HI w/126.125
285.7250 R-2901 AVON PARK RANGE CHARLIE/ECHO (S TAC) RANGE
288.4000 TYNDALL AFB 601 AIR OPERATIONS CENTER "HUNTRESS"
290.0000 MCAS BEAUFORT SC VMFA-251
290.3000 TAMPA iap APPROACH/DEPARTURE
290.3500 ZJX SECTOR HUNTER-UH w/132.425
290.4000 ZJX SECTOR WAYCROSS - LO w/132.3
290.5000 DUKE FIELD DEPARTURE
290.5250 FAA UNKNOWN
290.6250 TYNDALL AFB METRO
290.9000 EGLIN AFB MISSION CONTROL/ CMD POST
290.1500 W-470C COMMON
290.2250 ZJX
291.2000 NAVY UNKNOWN
291.7000 ZJX SECTOR ZEPHYR- UH w/128.425
293.2250 ZMA SECTOR STOOP
293.3000 SAVANNAH CRTC DISCRETE
293.5500 AWACS
293.8500 UNKNOWN
293.8750 UNKNOWN
298.6500 HAVEQUICK
299.0000 TYNDAKK AFB INTERFLIGHT
299.5000 NAVY UNKNOWN
301.0000 SOUTH TACTS RNG 4 X-RAY "WARLOCK"
303.0000 EXERCISE/TRAINING
305.6000 MOODY AFB GA 23 FW SUPERVISOR OF FLYING
306.0000 NAS JAX VP-30 OPS
307.0000 ORLANDO IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
307.2000 ZJX SECTOR SEMINOLE- HI w/128.075
307.2500 ZJX SECTOR ST AUGUSTINE- LO/HI w/126.35
307.3000 ZMA SECTOR CIGAR
307.9500 FAA UNKNOWN
308.4000 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
308.4250 EXERCISE/TRAINING
308.7500 AWACS
309.8000 NAVY
310.2000 NAS JAX BASE OPS/ VHF 134.775
310.8250 MOODY AFB GA DIAMOND MOA
311.0000 MACDILL AFB 6AMW COMMAND POST "LIGHTING OPS"
311.5000 FACSFAC JAX "BRISTOL" GCI
314.4500 HAVEQUICK
316.0500 TAMPA IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
317.5250 ZJX SECTOR PERRY-HI w/135.625
317.6000 ZJX SECTOR CEDAR KEY-LO w/135.75
318.0500 EGLIN AFB CMD POST
318.6000 FACSFAC JAX "SEALORD"
319.0000 ZMA SECTOR BOYEL
319.7000 AR SECONDARY
320.5000 FACSFAC JAX "BRISTO" GCI
320.6000 TYNDALL AFB 601 AIR OPERATIONS CENTER "HUNTRESS"
321.0000 PATRICK AFB 39RQS "KING OPS"
322.4000 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
322.4750 ZJX SECTOR LAKE CITY - HI w/133.875
326.3000 EGLIN AFB UNKNOWN
327.1000 ZJX SECTOR TORRY - LO/HI w/134.85
335.5500 ZJX SECTOR DARBS - LO w/128.05
335.6000 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
335.9500 AWACS
336.6000 EGLIN AFB UNKNOWN
336.8000 NAVY UNKNOWN
338.1000 FACSFAC JAX "SEALORD" DISCRETE
340.3750 Sealord S Tacts Range Discrete
341.7000 ORLANDO IAP CLEARANCE DELIVERY
343.0000 125 FW JACKSONVILLE IAP
343.2500 AR-202 SECONDARY FREQ
345.0000 CGAS CLEARWATER
346.2500 ZJX SECTOR GREEN COVE - HI w/127.475
346.3000 ZJX SECTOR MOULTRIE - UH w/133.3
348.3750 ARMY UNKNOWN
348.7000 SECTOR HOBEE
348.9000 AR-618
349.0000 ZMA SECTOR LAKELAND
349.4000 USAF ALCC
350.0000 SOUTH TACTS RNG 4 X-RAY "WARLOCK"
351.8000 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
351.9750 EXERCISE/TRAINING
352.0000 ZJX TALLAHASSEE - LO (QPE) w/127.8
357.0000 EXERCISE/TRAINING
360.2000 NAS JAX TOWER
360.7000 ZJX SECTOR MAYO-HI w/125.175
360.8000 ZJX SECTOR GENEVA- HI w/125.05
364.0000 ARMY UNKNOWN
364.2000 TYNDALL AFB 601 AIR OPERATIONS CENTER AICC "HUNTRESS"
372.2000 PTD
373.3000 UNKNOWN
373.7000 EGLIN AFB UNKNOWN
377.0500 JACKSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
379.9000 JACLSONVILLE IAP APPROACH/DEPARTURE
380.3000 ZMA SECTOR FT MEYERS-HI
381.0000 J-STARS

Milcom Blog Logs 8/31/2008

Here is my latest list of active military/government frequencies monitored in the last 24 hours in association with emergency operations on the Gulf associated with Hurricane Gustav. (Mode is ALE/USB and frequencies are in kHz unless otherwise noted)

3345.0 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ch 1:- WUK347 Unknown location

3349.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location

4490.0 SHARES SCN Ch 3:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KNY58 NTCN-HF Gadsden AL / USDAEOC2 US Department of Agriculture Alternate EOC Riverdale, MD

4757.0 National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN) Ch 2:- 494FEMAUX FEMA Auxillary Station Denver, CO (WGY9494) / 05CDCS16 Idaho Department of Health Pocatello, ID (WNG984)

4765.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA / OARNNN USN/MC MARS Bloomington IL / WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL / WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location

4780.0 IN NG Primary:- INDOPS NG Indianapolis IN / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

5015.0 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ch 2:- WUK Unknown location

5135.0 US Secure:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / MA1NC NH EMA Manchester NH / NA1SH NH EMA Nashua NH / SEM003 NY EMA Glen Falls NY / SEM0HQ NY EMA Albany NY

5140.0 US Secure:- 0041MT Montana / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5158.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA / WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL / WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location

5211.0 IN NG Primary:- INDOPS NG Indianapolis IN

5378.0 FEMA FNARS:- IN NG Primary:- INDOPS NG Indianapolis IN / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5402.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5711.0 SHARES SCN Ch 4:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KEY798 EPA Portable Unit / KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL / NNN0KEF USN/MC MARS Bristow VA / ZLSNNN USN/MC MARS Yorktown VA

5817.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / RLD NG Richland VA / VAB NG Virginia Beach VA

5821.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5847.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / VAB NG Virginia Beach VA

5878.5 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

5961.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6020.0 US Army Corps of Engineers:- G323 unknown location

6049.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6106.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6151.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6785.0 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ch 7:- FCJ UV5 Unknown locations, G323 Unknown location

6800.0 SHARES SCN Ch 9:- KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL

6803.0 SHARES:- KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL

6806.0 CAP ALE:- 0011ARCAP CAP AR / 0011OKCAP OK / 0048FLCAP CAP FL / 054NHQCAP CAP HQ Assignment / 101NCRCAP - CAP North Central Region Unit / 100SWRCAP Southwest Region Unit / 0902ALCAP Unknown location / RIC CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond VA

6809.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / VA3FEM FEMA Unknown location

7348.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / VA3FEM FEMA Unknown location

7428.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7480.0 US Secure:- 0041MT Montana

7642.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA / EBCNNN USN/MC MARS West Virginia / OARNNN USN/MC MARS Bloomington IL / WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL / WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location / ZLSNNN USN/MC MARS Yorktown VA

7645.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL

7806.4 US Secure:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

8012.0 CAP ALE:- RIC CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond VA / 0004WICAP CAP WI / 0011ARCAP CAP AR / 0011OKCAP OK / 0048FLCAP CAP FL / 054NHQCAP CAP HQ Assignment / 100SWRCAP Southwest Region Unit / 0902ALCAP Unknown location/
FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

8037.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

8047.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / L060AN - NG Baton Rouge LA / HQ703N - NG Readiness Center Arlington VA / T3Z238 - NG 2-238 AVN Shelbyville IN

8050.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

8093.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / T3Z238 - NG 2-238 AVN Shelbyville IN

8622.0 NG Net:- Z238 - NG 2-238 AVN Shelbyville IN

9025.0 USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network:- 277703 Probable CANFORCE C-17A (#177703) 8 Wing/429 Squadron CFB Trenton, ON
580077 USAFKC-135T 92ARW Fairchild AFB, WA (#58-0077)
ADW Andrews AFB MD / DMLS Unknown station / MCC West Coast McClellan CA / OFF Offutt AFB NE
Mexican Army Net:- Jupiter / Venus

9106.0 SHARES SCN Ch 5:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA / AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / BF741 DOMS Washington DC

9122.5 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Ch 8:- G323 Unknown location

9143.5 NG STARC Net:- NGTROOPCMD - NG Columbus OH / NRK NG Norfolk VA / RLD NG Richland VA / VAB NG Virginia Beach VA / AQC SND MUZIXV

9224.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA / EBCNNN USN/MC MARS West Virginia / WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL

9414.5 National Public Health Radio Network (NPHRN) Ch 5:- 494FEMAUX FEMA Auxillary Station Denver, CO (WGY9494) / 033CDCS22 Louisiana

9462.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / VA3FEM FEMA Unknown location

10194.0 FEMA FNARS:- 473FEMAUX Unknown location / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

10202.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8 FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / KGD825 US EPA Boston, MA

10493.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10588.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

10816.5 NG STARC Net:- T060XN Camp Mabry (Austin) TX / A040LN Montgomery AL

10899.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

11108.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

11217.0 SHARES SCN Ch 6:- 043NCS US NCC Unknown location / AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE
UK DHFCS TASCOMM ALE Network:- XSS Unknown location

11801.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

11226.0 USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network:- 290062 USAF C-17 Aircraft #99-0062 / ADW Andrews AFB MD / AED USAF Elmendorf AFB AK / AQC Send D4QCDM

12087.0 NG STARC Net:- T1Z147 NG 1-147 AVN, Madison WI / R27069 US Army aircraft

12216.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR3FEM Unknown location / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / VA3FEM FEMA Unknown location

13242.0 NIPR:- DL0005DAT Unknown / ICZNPR NIPR NAS Sigonella (Sicily), Italy / MCCNPR NIPR McClellan, CA
UK DHFCS TASCOMM ALE Network:- XSS Unknown location

13446.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / VA3FEM FEMA Unknown location

13473.5 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 6NEAFA USAF MARS Unknown location

13568.0 NG STARC Net:- T060XN Camp Mabry (Austin) TX / A040LN Montgomery AL

13935.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX

14360.0 SHARES:- ICZNPR NIPR NAS Sigonella (Sicily), Italy / MCCNPR NIPR McClellan, CA

14450.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX

14512.5 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 6NEAFA USAF MARS Unknown location

14776.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

15094.0 SHARES SCN Ch 7:- 043NCS US NCC Unknown location / PR13 unknown location / USARC5 - American Red Cross Unknown location

15708.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

19969.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

More to follow in the post landfall monitor period...Chief Larry

Reserve teams answer calls for help

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- More than 300 Gulf Coast patients were able to breathe a sigh of relief Sep. 1 thanks to Air Force Reserve aeromedical crews as Hurricane Gustav slammed into Terrebonne Bay, La., just west of New Orleans, at about 10:30 EST.

Because more than 50 air evacuation flights had carried them to safety, the area's hospital and nursing home patients were able to escape the storm's wrath by traveling through staging areas in Beaumont, Texas, and Lake Charles and Lakefront, La.

"Federal response efforts identified these three aeromedical patient staging areas," said Col. Mike Dankosky, aeromedical evacuation program manager for Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command here. "Over the past 48 hours, regular Air Force, Reserve and Air National Guard aeromedical forces provided immediate capability to transport 100 percent of those medical patients identified for movement by Louisiana state officials."

Before the hurricane made landfall, patients were safely transported under medical supervision to various predetermined medical treatment facilities away from the storm's path. AFRC provides more than 60 percent of the Air Force's aeromedical evacuation capability.

"Days before federal requests for assistance and command taskings were received in support of Hurricane Gustav relief and rescue efforts, an overwhelming volunteer response began to build," said Colonel Dankosky. "Aeromedical crews and operational support personnel from the majority of AFRC's 18 aeromedical evacuation squadrons volunteered."

Due to operational and airlift sourcing considerations, Reservists were sourced from only eight squadrons: 34th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.; 433rd AES, Lackland AFB, Texas; 439th AES, Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.; 445th AES, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; 514th AES, McGuire AFB, N.J.; 908th AES, Maxwell AFB, Ala.; 911th AES, Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa.; and 932nd AES, Scott AFB, Ill.

The command is providing C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft support from the 433rd AW at Lackland AFB and 439th AW at Westover ARB. With nearly 50 percent of the Air Force's strategic airlift capability, the command is able to support the relief efforts with more aircraft and crews if required.

Rescue helicopters and crews from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., and 305th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., are positioning to Ellington Field in Houston and to Jackson, Miss. As the storm passes through, the rescue teams are ready to assist as needed. AFRC provides 23 percent of the Air Force's total rescue capability.

"Air Force reservists were the first Air Force rescue crews into New Orleans after (Hurricane) Katrina," said Lt. Col. Julio Lopez, combat search and rescue program manager for the command. "Our crews are eager to get in there and help as soon as possible. In fact, it's difficult to hold them back."

Prior to the hurricane making landfall, AFRC's Hurricane Hunters flew in and out of the storm as it formed and moved toward the Gulf Coast. Based out of Keesler AFB, Miss., the 403d Wing flies special WC-130J aircraft and represents the only Air Force weather reconnaissance capability.

AFNORTH Responds: EPLOs, Hurricane Hunters, MedEvac

EPLOs move in place to support hurricane efforts

As Hurricane Gustav nears landfall, Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers from all over the nation have been brought in to help.

EPLOs from as far away as Alaska have moved into place in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama to coordinate military assets to support civil authorities.

Lt. Col. Kelly Carmen, an Alaska-assigned EPLO, is in place in New Orleans supporting the aeromedical evacuation efforts. Along with Lt. Col. Carmen, two other EPLOs, Col. Jeff Theulen from Nebraska, and Lt. Col. Steve Flanagan from Hawaii, are deployed to the state.

In El Paso, Texas, EPLO Col. Andy Anderson is serving at the Federal Coordination Center, helping to find hospitals that have the room to shelter evacuated patients.

Col. Linc Larson is deployed to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., where responders are preparing to receive outbound evacuees from the Gulf Coast, as well as inbound support from across the nation.

Several EPLOs have deployed here to help coordinate emergency preparedness activities nationwide, including possible support for Tropical Storm Hanna.

“With another storm on the rise behind Gustav, two liaison officers are at the FEMA Headquarters in Atlanta,” said Col. Michael Hare, Air Forces Northern Emergency Preparedness Agency director.

Working with officers from the Navy, Marines and Army, these EPLOs respond to civilian requests for assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

EPLOs are geographically assigned to each state and the 10 FEMA Regional Coordination Centers. The officers come from a wide range of career fields including air operations, logistics, medical, security forces, and public affairs.

AFNORTH Hurricane Hunters on the move for Gustav & Hanna

Eight Hurricane Hunters with five crews on three missions are deployed to assess the severity of conditions of Hurricane Gustav, with one Hurricane Hunter deployed to prepare for Tropical Storm Hanna.

The Hurricane Hunters are Air Force WC-130J aircraft deployed to support Gustav from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and now from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., to predict the path of Hurricane Gustav.

“Hurricane Hunters currently anticipate and determine surface conditions of the expected landfall area,” said Master Sgt. John Williams, operations duty officer at Tyndall’s 601st Air and Space Operations Center.

Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, the Joint Forces Air Component Commander at Tyndall for Air Forces Northern maintains tactical control and visibility of the Hurricane Hunters for coordination during contingencies.

“The Hurricane Hunters deploy for each major storm to measure vertical atmospheric profile of the temperature, humidity and barometric pressure and wind data ahead of the storm,” said Sergeant Williams.

According to Williams, an instrument called a Global Positioning Dropsonde Windfinding system is dropped 10,000 ahead of the hurricane to take readings and relay those readings to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla., which increases the accuracy of hurricane predictions by approximately 30 percent.

“Hurricane season gainfully employs the Hurricane Hunters flying current missions over Guam, the Gulf and Atlantic and provides hurricane data to agencies that need it the most,” he said.

The National Hurricane Center feeds the information to the National Weather Service. Civilian and federal organizations use the data collected by the Hurricane Hunters to get keep the public informed with the latest information.

The Hurricane Hunters are temporarily operating out of Homestead Air Reserve Base, but they call the 53rd Fighter Wing at Keesler AFB home.

While actively supporting Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna, this month the Hurricane Hunters have also flown missions into Tropical Storm Fay, Tropical Storm Edouard and Hurricane Dolly.

AFNORTH assisting with Gustav MedEvac

Air Forces Northern here is coordinating with numerous civilian and government agencies in Texas and Louisiana to assist with the evacuation of critical-care patients in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav’s landfall.

AFNORTH is providing U.S. Northern Command with visibility on all Air Force assets available for medical evacuation such as Mobile Aero-Medical Staging Facilities, already in place at Beaumont, Texas., Lake Charles, La., and Lake Front, La.

These MASFs provide the ability to receive, process, and support patients awaiting aeromedical evacuation by Air Force aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster III or C-130 Hercules.

“We are using a total force team of active, Guard and Reserve forces to assist these critically-ill citizens evacuate to safety,” said Maj. Gen Hank Morrow, AFNORTH commander. “We allow the NORTHCOM commander to effectively utilize all assets available to mitigate human suffering and prevent the loss of life.”

USNORTHCOM is working closely with local, state, and federal medical authorities to identify where the need is greatest.

The MASFs and patient evacuations will continue until the airports are closed for Gustav’s landfall.

T-2 Buckeye Sunset Ceremony Marks End of 50-Year Era

By Mike O'Connor, Maval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs



PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The historic 50-year training mission of the T-2 Buckeye came to a close with a sundown ceremony and fly-by at the Mustin Beach Officers' Club aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Aug. 22.

A crowd of more than 250 active-duty and former aviators, air and ground crew and civilians gathered for a celebration of the Buckeye's service life and retirement, which included a video history presentation. NAS Pensacola Training Air Wing Six's VT-86 was the last training squadron in the Navy to use the aircraft.

The Buckeye, which has trained thousands of naval aviators in its 50-year history, has flown more than 3.4 million flight hours, according to the Naval Safety Center and was the Navy's longest-serving jet trainer.

"We're saying goodbye to the aircraft for good," said VT-86 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Bradley Close. "A lot of naval aviators cut their teeth on this aircraft, and for 50 years its given good service. The T-2 Buckeye will not be used in naval aviation training anymore."

Most of the remaining Buckeyes will join other retired military aircraft in "the boneyard," a long-term preservation facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, Close said.

"I had my last flight four or five days ago in the mighty Buckeye," Capt. Peter Hunt, commanding officer of Training Wing 6, said. "It's a great airplane, but we understand that you can't keep stuff forever, and the new T-45C Goshawk is fantastic. It's going to bring our training a good 20 years into the future overnight."

Retired Navy Capt. Dean Fournier, president of the Pensacola Council Navy League, was one of many at the sundown who had fond memories of the Buckeye.

"I started off as a student in the T-2A," said Fournier. "I came back flying it again as an instructor and ended up with 600 to 700 hours in the aircraft. It's built well, and the people who put it together have a lot to be proud of."

Training Wing 6 trains and graduates approximately 450 Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and international students annually. The wing's primary, intermediate and advanced training courses prepare weapon systems officers (WSOs), naval flight officers (NFOs) and electronic countermeasure officers (ECMOs) for service around the world.

Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group to Deploy Early September

More than 7,300 Sailors from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will deploy early September as part of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operate in international waters across the globe.

The aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt will depart Norfolk Naval Station Sept. 8. While the guided-missile USS Monterey (CG 61) and the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 3) will deploy Sept. 10. The guided missile destroyers USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94); and the attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761) will deploy Sept. 12

The Theodore Roosevelt CSG is made up of the Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 2 staff; USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW 8); Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 22 staff; the guided missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61); the guided missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94), all homeported in Norfolk, Va.; the guided missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (CG 55), homeported in Mayport, Fla.; the attack submarine USS Springfield (SSN 761), homeported in Groton, Conn.; and the Fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6), homeported in Earle, N.J.

Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW 8) consists of strike fighter squadrons VFA-15, VFA-31, VFA-87 and VFA-213; tactical electronics warfare squadron VAQ-141; carrier airborne early warning squadron VAW-124; and helicopter anti-submarine squadron HS-3.

The strike group recently returned from participating in a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with elements of the French, Brazilian, Peruvian and British militaries.

They successfully completed a series of complex training events, which included integrated cyclic flight operations off the U.S. east coast with French and U.S. strike aircraft. JTFEX serves as a joint and combined exercise designed to provide realistic training environments for US and coalition forces that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. Training such as this ensures our military forces are prepared to support any missions they may be tasked to execute.

The strike group's ships are prepared to conduct a variety of missions, including forward naval presence, maritime security operations, crisis response and theater security operations.

Milcom Blog Logs 8/30/2008

Here is the latest list of active military/government frequencies monitored in association with emergency operations on the Gulf associated with Gustav.

3349.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WWLNNN USN/MC MARS Unknown location

4490.0 SHARES SCN Ch 3:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KNY58 NTCN-HF Gadsden AL

4765.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL

4780.0 IN NG Primary:- INDOPS NG Indianapolis IN / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

5015.0 USACE:- WUK Unknown location

5135.0 US Secure:- MA1NC NH EMA Manchester NH / NA1SH NH EMA Nashua NH / SEM003 NY EMA Glen Falls NY

5140.0 US Secure:- 0041MT Montana

5158.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL

5378.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5402.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

5711.0 SHARES SCN Ch 4:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL / ZLSNNN USN/MC MARS Yorktown VA

5817.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / RLD NG Richland VA

5821.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

5847.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

5878.5 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

5961.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6020.0 US Army Corps of Engineers:- G323 unknown location

6049.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6106.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6151.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

6785.0 USACE:- FCJ UV5 Unknown locations

6800.0 SHARES SCN Ch 9:- KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL

6803.0 SHARES:- KTQ313 US EPA Montgomery AL

6806.0 CAP ALE:- 0011ARCAP CAP AR / 0011OKCAP OK / 0048FLCAP CAP FL / 054NHQCAP CAP HQ Assignment / 101NCRCAP - CAP North Central Region Unit / 100SWRCAP Southwest Region Unit

6809.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7348.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7428.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

7480.0 US Secure:- 0041MT Montana

7642.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- OARNNN USN/MC MARS Bloomington IL / WKCNNN USN/MC MARS IL / ZLSNNN USN/MC MARS Yorktown VA

7806.4 US Secure:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

8012.0 CAP ALE:- RIC CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond VA / 0004WICAP CAP WI / 0011ARCAP CAP AR / 0011OKCAP OK / 0048FLCAP CAP FL / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

8037.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

8047.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA / L060AN - NG Baton Rouge LA / HQ703N - NG Readiness Center Arlington VA / T3Z238 - NG 2-238 AVN Shelbyville IN

8050.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

8093.0 NG STARC Net:- NRK NG Norfolk VA

9025.0 USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network:- ADW Andrews AFB MD / DMLS Unknown station / MCC West Coast McClellan CA / OFF Offutt AFB NE
Mexican Army Net:- Jupiter / Venus

9106.0 SHARES SCN Ch 5:- AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE / BF741 DOMS Washington DC

9143.5 NG STARC Net:- NGTROOPCMD - NG Columbus OH / NRK NG Norfolk VA / RLD NG Richland VA / VAB NG Virginia Beach VA

9224.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network:- 2PBAFA USAF MARS Arlington VA

9462.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10194.0 FEMA FNARS:- 473FEMAUX Unknown location / FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865) / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10202.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8 FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10588.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

10816.5 NG STARC Net:- T060XN Camp Mabry (Austin) TX / A040LN Montgomery AL

10899.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

11108.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

11217.0 SHARES SCN Ch 6:- 043NCS US NCC Unknown location / AAT3BF USA MARS Newark DE
UK DHFCS TASCOMM ALE Network:- XSS Unknown location

11801.0 FEMA FNARS:- FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

11226.0 USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network:- 290062 USAF C-17 Aircraft #99-0062 / ADW Andrews AFB MD / AED USAF Elmendorf AFB AK
AQC Send D4QCDM

12087.0 NG STARC Net:- T1Z147 NG 1-147 AVN, Madison WI / R27069 US Army aircraft

12216.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR3FEM Unknown location / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

13242.0 NIPR:- DL0005DAT Unknown

13446.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO / FR5FEM FEMA Chicago IL (WGY9865)

13568.0 NG STARC Net:- T060XN Camp Mabry (Austin) TX / A040LN Montgomery AL

13935.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX

14450.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX

14776.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC6 FEMA Region 6 Office Denton TX / FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

15094.0 SHARES SCN Ch 7:- 043NCS US NCC Unknown location / PR13 unknown location / USARC5 - American Red Cross Unknown location

15708.0 FEMA FNARS:- FC8FEM FEMA Region 8 Denver CO

More to follow...Chief Larry

Guard Aids New Orleans Evacuation, Braces for Storm Mission

With the full force of the Louisiana National Guard activated, more than 7,000 citizen-soldiers and -airmen are assisting local authorities with evacuation and security efforts in New Orleans and performing dozens of other missions across the state as Hurricane Gustav approaches. As the Guard and the state brace for the powerful storm, each day brings new challenges that all agencies involved must work together to overcome.

"Louisiana citizens and our governor needed the Guard, and we were there immediately, redirecting hundreds of troops to assist New Orleans with their evacuation plan," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, Louisiana's adjutant general, said.

Guard soldiers began patrolling the streets of New Orleans yesterday, assisting with security as the area began evacuating citizens. They were scheduled to begin helping the state police with "contraflow" operations today, a process that converts normally inbound roads to handle outbound evacuation traffic.

About 400 National Guard soldiers and airmen are driving buses, transporting citizens to shelters across the state.

In other areas, convoys carrying more than 900 soldiers from the 225th Engineer Brigade arrived in Lake Charles, Napoleonville, Iowa, Breaux Bridge, Lake Charles and Rayne yesterday to assist civil authorities with evacuation and security of citizens moving from southwestern Louisiana on contraflow routes.

"One of our greatest strengths is that we are citizen-soldiers and live in the communities we serve, Landreneau said. "We are able to transition from our civilian careers to military roles quickly when called upon."

The activation of the 225th Engineer Brigade calls into service soldiers who are responsible for boat search-and-rescue missions, engineer assessment teams that will deploy to support coastal parishes, security teams and contraflow support.

As the Louisiana Guard activation has reached full potential, officials have called on sister states to support additional requirements created by Gustav's landfall, expected tomorrow afternoon. Battalions from Kentucky and Tennessee and 28 aircraft arrived in Louisiana yesterday, thanks to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual-support agreement among states.

A Guard military intelligence battalion already serving in hurricane operations has provided a Spanish-speaking soldier to relocate to New Orleans and assist residents in understanding instructions being given by the governor and other agencies.

In an advisory issued at 1 p.m. EDT today, the National Weather Service said Gustav was 270 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, moving toward the northwest at 17 mph. Though maximum sustained winds had dropped to 115 mph with higher gusts, forecasters said, it could regain Category 4 status tonight or tomorrow. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph.

More Gustav Info on the Btown

Just a quick reminder that I do have additional civilian related material concerning the emergency situation on the Gulf coast on my personal blog - The Btown Monitoring Post at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/.

This includes a scanner stream from Lafouche/Terrebonne Parish, west of the NOLA area, and the WWL-AM broadcast feed. Will be adding more audio streams as they are brought up and reported to us.

73 de Larry
MT GlobalNet columnist

Governor Calls Louisiana National Guard to Full Operational Status

Members of the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team stage their vehicles next to the Ernest Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2008. The soldiers are activated for security missions in support of hurricane operations throughout the state. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens, 241st Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

As 1,500 National Guard members arrived in New Orleans yesterday to support the city's police department and assist in executing civil support missions, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced the activation of all available remaining Louisiana National Guard forces to assist with emergency operations in preparation for Hurricane Gustav.

With the newly activated troops coming on board today, the total of Louisiana Guard members activated reaches 7,000.

Gustav, which grew to a Category 3 hurricane overnight, is bearing down on western Cuba today with sustained winds of more than 120 mph, and is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast late Sept. 1 or early Sept. 2.

The Guard troops who arrived in New Orleans yesterday will safeguard homes and businesses during evacuation and instill confidence in the citizens, state Guard officials said.

The state's adjutant general assured residents of a response to Gustav that's based on lessons learned three years ago, when back-to-back hurricanes struck the region.

"The Louisiana National Guard is fully prepared for a hurricane disaster and has improved reaction times, communication and equipment resources by learning from hurricanes Katrina and Rita," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau said. "Throughout the year, the Louisiana National Guard, in coordination with other state and local agencies has conducted numerous statewide emergency response exercises testing capabilities, and validating plans to improve overall efficiency and reaction time. These coordinated efforts were and continue to be crucial to our current success."

As state forces in Louisiana have reached a full operational capability status, neighboring states are preparing assets in the event they are needed as well.

The Louisiana National Guard has requested additional aviation assets and personnel through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact -- a mutual-support agreement -- to assist with meeting potential mission requirements, with the Arkansas National Guard responding and moving into place.

Headquarters 1-114th Aviation Battalion of North Little Rock, Ark., is sending 44 personnel to Esler Field in Pineville, La., to fill in for Louisiana's 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the 204th Theater Airfield Operations Group, currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Other neighboring states also have National Guard forces ready to deploy if additional support is needed, officials said.

Milcom Blog Logs 8/29/2008

FEMA MERS vehicle (Photo courtesy of FEMA)

Logs on 8/29/2008 from Brasstown, NC. Primary receiver: Icom IC-706 MKIIG, PC-ALE, Rigblaster Pro, Full size 80 meter G5RV.

73 and hope all my friends and family along the Gulf remain safe and sound.

Larry Van Horn, N5FPW

4780.0 INDOPS - National Guard Indianapolis, IN, ALE/USB sounding at 1825 on IN NG Primary freq.

5402.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1548 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

5711.0
AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1530/1558/1851 on SHARES SCN channel 4.
ZLSNNN - Navy/Marine Corps MARS, Yorktown, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1837 on SHARES SCN channel 4.

6806.0
0011ARCAP - Civil Air Patrol ALE/USB sounding at 1532 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
054NHQCAP - Civil Air Patrol ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
101NCRCAP - Civil Air Patrol North Central Region Unit, ALE/USB sounding at 1531/1544/1556 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

6809.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1548 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

8012.0
0004WICAP - Civil Air Patrol Wisconsin, Wing Communications Officer, ALE/USB sounding at 1537 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
054NHQCAP - Civil Air Patrol ALE/USB sounding at 1848 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
RIC - Civil Air Patrol CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1840 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

8050.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1548 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

9025.0
DMLS - Unknown station, using ALE/USB on USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network at 1638.
MCC - West Coast, McClellan CA, using ALE/USB on USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network at 1634.
OFF - Offutt AFB, NE, using ALE/USB on USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network at 1631.
Mexican Army Net - Jupiter clg Venus, ALE/USB at 1600.

9106.0
AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1525/1554/1818/1846 on SHARES SCN channel 5.
BF741 - Director of Military Support, Washington, DC at 1811 on SHARES SCN channel 5.

9143.5 NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1550 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

10194.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1819 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

10588.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

11217.0
XSS - UK DHFCS TASCOMM ALE Network, ALE/USB sounding at 1836. I was really surprised to be hearing this station at this hour.
AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1823 on SHARES SCN channel 6.

12087.0 R27069 - US Army aircraft calling T1Z147 - National Guard (WI) 1-147 AVN, Madison WI, ALE/USB at 1807.

12216.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

13446.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1810 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

15708.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1846 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

National Guard Preps for Gustav

Blog Editor Note: HF Frequency List at end of article

On the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall on the Gulf Coast in 2005, the National Guard is preparing once again for what could be another massive storm.

As Tropical Storm Gustav gains strength and approaches the Gulf Coast, about 3,000 Louisiana citizen-soldiers and -airmen have been activated in support of emergency operations and are prepared to support civil missions and assist with various needs and emergencies expected to arise across the state.

"Our soldiers and airmen are staged and set to deploy to our coastal parishes without hesitation," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, said. "Engineer and communications teams are reporting to coastal parishes and are set to assist our citizens and local parish emergency responders. Our security forces are deploying to ensure safety and security of homes and personnel. We are confident in our plans and ability to execute those plans on a moment's notice."

Louisiana Guard search-and-rescue assets are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas. Soldiers and airmen also are pre-positioning to support shelter security missions across the state, and teams are ready to support "contraflow" highway lane-reversal missions in coordination with the Louisiana State Police.

Louisiana National Guard security forces are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas, including deployment to New Orleans in support of the city's evacuation plan. The Guard is requesting additional helicopter assets with Emergency Management Assistance Compact states in preparation for potential search-and-rescue missions.

Soldiers of the Lake Charles-based 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, began the initial alert preparations for the possible landfall of Hurricane Gustav. The battalion, which consists of soldiers from all over southwestern Louisiana, has prepared vehicles and equipment for the deployment to New Orleans or any other area that may be affected.

"We're ready to go wherever we need to," said Lake Charles native Army 1st Sgt. Gary Burchfield of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-156th Infantry Battalion.

The 256th IBCT's 199th Leadership Brigade Support Battalion located in Alexandria, La., sent 2,000 gallons of water to Colfax, La., in preparation for support missions. This potentially life-saving water will be distributed to citizens if the need arises.

Additionally, 160 soldiers from the 528th and the 527th Engineer Battalions in Ruston, La., have been directed to various security missions in the Jefferson Parish area and will be assigned to the Clearview evacuation site.

Two three-man engineer assessment teams from the 1023rd Engineer Company are on stand-by for possible missions in Ascension, St. James and St. Charles parishes. "The primary function of these teams will be damage assessment," Army Maj. Charles A. Hudson of West Monroe, administrative officer with the 528th, said.

About 30 soldiers from the Headquarters Support Company in Monroe will assist the Louisiana State Police Department's Troop A in Baton Rouge and Troop F in Monroe in traffic-control missions as the storm closes in on the coast. Six three-man boat teams from the 830th and 832nd Concrete and Asphalt Companies in Monroe have been placed on stand-by for possible damage assessment and search-and-rescue missions in potentially devastated areas.

The National Guard has also mobilized more than 100 members to act as bus drivers and provide transportation for evacuees and security to evacuation shelters throughout the state as needed.

Airmen have been activated to support operations and satellite communication in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, and Orleans parishes to assist in first-responder ground communications. Additional teams are ready to deploy to all other areas along the coast the storm may affect.As Tropical Storm Gustav gains strength and approaches the Gulf Coast, about 3,000 Louisiana citizen-soldiers and -airmen have been activated in support of emergency operations and are prepared to support civil missions and assist with various needs and emergencies expected to arise across the state.

"Our soldiers and airmen are staged and set to deploy to our coastal parishes without hesitation," Army Maj. Gen. Bennett Landreneau, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, said. "Engineer and communications teams are reporting to coastal parishes and are set to assist our citizens and local parish emergency responders. Our security forces are deploying to ensure safety and security of homes and personnel. We are confident in our plans and ability to execute those plans on a moment's notice."

Louisiana Guard search-and-rescue assets are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas. Soldiers and airmen also are pre-positioning to support shelter security missions across the state, and teams are ready to support "contraflow" highway lane-reversal missions in coordination with the Louisiana State Police.

Louisiana National Guard security forces are preparing for deployment to potential impact areas, including deployment to New Orleans in support of the city's evacuation plan. The Guard is requesting additional helicopter assets with Emergency Management Assistance Compact states in preparation for potential search-and-rescue missions.

Soldiers of the Lake Charles-based 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, began the initial alert preparations for the possible landfall of Hurricane Gustav. The battalion, which consists of soldiers from all over southwestern Louisiana, has prepared vehicles and equipment for the deployment to New Orleans or any other area that may be affected.

"We're ready to go wherever we need to," said Lake Charles native Army 1st Sgt. Gary Burchfield of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-156th Infantry Battalion.

The 256th IBCT's 199th Leadership Brigade Support Battalion located in Alexandria, La., sent 2,000 gallons of water to Colfax, La., in preparation for support missions. This potentially life-saving water will be distributed to citizens if the need arises.

Additionally, 160 soldiers from the 528th and the 527th Engineer Battalions in Ruston, La., have been directed to various security missions in the Jefferson Parish area and will be assigned to the Clearview evacuation site.

Two three-man engineer assessment teams from the 1023rd Engineer Company are on stand-by for possible missions in Ascension, St. James and St. Charles parishes. "The primary function of these teams will be damage assessment," Army Maj. Charles A. Hudson of West Monroe, administrative officer with the 528th, said.

About 30 soldiers from the Headquarters Support Company in Monroe will assist the Louisiana State Police Department's Troop A in Baton Rouge and Troop F in Monroe in traffic-control missions as the storm closes in on the coast. Six three-man boat teams from the 830th and 832nd Concrete and Asphalt Companies in Monroe have been placed on stand-by for possible damage assessment and search-and-rescue missions in potentially devastated areas.

The National Guard has also mobilized more than 100 members to act as bus drivers and provide transportation for evacuees and security to evacuation shelters throughout the state as needed.

Airmen have been activated to support operations and satellite communication in Terrebonne, Lafourche, Jefferson, Plaquemines, Saint Bernard, and Orleans parishes to assist in first-responder ground communications. Additional teams are ready to deploy to all other areas along the coast the storm may affect.

Separately, the Louisiana National Guard has requested 20 aircraft from eight states, in an apparent response to Louisiana's 20 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters being in Iraq. National Guards in the 54 states and territories have mutual-aid agreements in place to send troops and equipment to other states during disasters. Through such agreements, more than 50,000 Guard members converged on the region following
Hurricane Katrina.

The Louisiana Army National Guard's 1/244th Air Assault Helicopter Battalion deployed to Iraq this summer, taking the Black Hawk fleet and about 360 soldiers. The battalion was based at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport during Katrina and rescued as many as 16,000 people from the area. The battalion is now based in Hammond, La., from which the Louisiana Guard plans to manage its aviation response to storms.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also ordered the Louisiana National Guard to be ready to deploy more than 1,500 Guardsmen to New Orleans as early as tomorrow to assist in securing the city as citizens begin to evacuate their homes.

Gustav, currently a tropical storm, is expected to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane the morning of Sept. 2 along the Vermillion Bay area, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

(From a Louisiana National Guard news release.)

Alabama National Guard
State HQ ALE Address: A040LN
4724.5 4924.5 8047.0 8622.0 9141.5 10233.5 12087.0 13722.0 14653.0 16338.5 20906.0 kHz

Alabama NG 131 AVN
3345.0 4780.0 4961.5 5065.0 5118.0 5778.5 5850.0 6910.0 6911.5 7360.0 8040.0 9036.0 9122.5 9145.0 9295.0 11574.0 11578.0 12129.0 14483.5 kHz

Alabama NG 117 MedCo
8184.5 10530.0 11439.5 14757.0 kHz

Alabama NG 46th WMD-CST
8047.0 kHz

Lousiana National Guard
State HQ ALE Address: L060AN
4035.0 4924.5 5877.0 8047.0 12087.0 13722.0 14653.0 20906.0 kHz

Lousiana NG 1-244 AVN
5211.0 5778.5 5781.5 6906.5 11630.0 12129.0 kHz

Lousiana NG 62nd WMD-CST
8047.0 12087.0 14653.0 kHz

Mississippi National Guard
State HQ ALE Address: M040SN
4960.0 5847.0 8047.0 9121.0 9141.5 10796.0 10816.5 12087.0 13722.0 14653.0 20906.0 kHz

Mississippi NG 185 AVN
4960.0 10680.0 11578.0 11630.0 kHz

Texas National Guard Preps for Gustav

Members of the Texas National Guard are holding training exercises to make sure they're ready for Gustav's arrival in the Gulf Coast.

Known Texas NG frequencies:
State HQ ALE Address: T060XN, Camp Mabry, Austin, Txas
* indicates an ALE net frequency

4441.5 5821.5 6907.0* 7648.5* 8047.0* 8158.5 8161.5 8171.5* 9081.5* 9121.0* 10690.0* 10797.5* 12087.0* 12087.5* 13722.0* 14653.0* 16338.5* 17458.5* 20906.0* kHz

Apache Squadron Aids Iraqi Security Progress

By Army Sgt. Dale Sweetnam, Special to American Forces Press Service

An AH-64D Apache takes off from Camp Taji, Iraq. Pilots with 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, have enjoyed a less intense and less kinetic mission since arriving at Baghdad International Airport.

BAGHDAD - The view from the sky indicates the tide in Iraq may be turning.

Soldiers of 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, made the move from Camp Taji to Camp Stryker at the Baghdad International Airport about a month ago. Army Maj. Parker Frawley, the unit's operations officer, said the squadron already is seeing the difference U.S. forces are making across Iraq.

In Camp Taji, 4-3rd ACR was involved in an intense battle for Sadr City. The soldiers fought daily, to defeat Iranian-backed "special groups" in Baghdad's Sadr City district and to eliminate the indirect-fire threat to Baghdad.

"Obviously, during that time frame, the fight in Sadr City was a very kinetic fight," Frawley said.

The unit moved to Camp Striker and Multinational Division Center, where its AH-64D Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk pilots are experiencing a different pace. In its new home, the squadron is part of Task Force 49, Multinational Division Center Combat Aviation Brigade.

Frawley said threats from roadside bombs and direct and indirect fire are fewer in Multinational Division Center than what the squadron experienced in Sadr City. The aircraft that once fought constantly in a small geographic region now are responsible for a much larger area; they support ground forces by providing surveillance and reconnaissance.

"With the threat of these areas being lower and the ground guys focusing more on nonlethal operations, we, of course, conduct fewer lethal operations as well," he said. "If you look at the big picture, the less we have to shoot and destroy targets or kill insurgents indicates that we are getting closer to mission success in Iraq."

Frawley said the changing operational tempo in Multinational Division Center also has allowed the squadron to catch up on maintenance and give the pilots a break.

"The changing nature of our attack and reconnaissance missions reflects a greater level of security among the people, a demonstrated capability of the Iraqi police and army, and a general improvement in the daily lives of the population," Army Col. Chandler C. Sherrell, Task Force 49 commander, said. "This would not be possible without the continued efforts of our ground partners to transition security to the Iraqis and aid in the economic development of their areas. These positive trends have allowed us to provide a greater degree of overwatch and a reduced level of direct action."

This shift in focus for 4-3rd ACR was recently highlighted by its involvement in the Aug. 16 celebration of the Birth of the 12th Imam, an important Muslim holiday that draws hundreds of thousands of Shiia pilgrims to Karbala each year. In previous years, daily reconnaissance patrols were necessary to provide surveillance of the crowds and early warning of any potential threats to the Iraqis participating in the pilgrimage. This year, the squadron's mission remained more of an overwatch, as Iraqi ground and air assets led the security efforts.

"Because of the progress of the Iraqis and their ability to handle their own internal affairs with minimal coalition support, the decision was made to minimize our presence around Karbala," Frawley said. "It bolsters the Iraqi's confidence -- not only the Iraqi security forces' confidence, but [also] the confidence of the Iraqi population in the security forces' ability to do its job.

"It's a success story," he added. "Any responsibilities we can hand over to the Iraqis that they can execute with a degree of success, gets us closer to mission completion here."

(Army Sgt. Dale Sweetnam serves in the Task Force 49 Public Affairs Office.)

Florida Guard Prepares for Potential Hurricane Relief Mission

By Jon Myatt, Special to American Forces Press Service


Members of the 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, make their way past a makeshift tow truck in a high-water vehicle as they search flooded roads and properties Aug. 22, 2008, in search of people who need assistance or evacuation in Steen, Fla., in the wake of Tropical Storm Fay. The Florida National Guard continues to assist civilian agencies with nearly 500 soldiers and airmen supporting logistical operations and high-water vehicle rescue across central and northern Florida, and is preparing for more work as Tropical Storm Gustav zeroes in on the U.S. Gulf Coast. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Hillegass, 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., Aug. 29, 2008 - As central and northern Florida communities recover from Tropical Storm Fay's flood waters, Florida's Department of Military Affairs and the state's National Guard are refitting and shifting focus to the potential effects of other storms.

Florida National Guard leaders returned to the Joint Force Headquarters in St. Augustine on Aug. 25 from the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee expecting another weather threat.

While most of the 500 Guard members activated to help during Tropical Storm Fay had returned to their civilian jobs, the Florida National Guard core emergency support team continued to monitor weather conditions in "Hurricane Alley."

With forecasters eyeing two Atlantic storms -- Tropical Storm Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna -- as the Labor Day weekend approaches, the possibility of another activation of the Florida National Guard is becoming more probable, Guard leaders said. Gustav is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane early Sept. 2.

"We are just entering the historically active part of hurricane season," said Army Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett, adjutant general of Florida. "Although Tropical Storm Fay did not produce damaging high-speed winds that a Category 3 or 4 [hurricane] would have, the resulting flood waters required a significant state response that was a very good tune-up for our emergency response team.

"The public got to see the National Guard at work -- Guard-members and vehicles moving from armories to affected communities, providing assistance to people in distress," he said.

The Guard continuously reviews its mix of personnel to ensure the right skills are placed at the right location, along with the right number of troops to do the tasks, he explained. These "after-action" assessments ensure the troops not needed are released from state active duty so they can return to their families, jobs and educational institutions.

"We are able meet our mission requirements by preparing sufficient numbers of Guardsmen to meet any anticipated weather event," Burnett said. "We have a great deal of recent experience and know that when one weather event has passed, we could have another on the horizon. It is critical to our long term success to have enough capable people available who are also rested and motivated."

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has ensured that the Florida National Guard and its leaders are included in all executive-level planning for emergencies. For Tropical Storm Fay, he declared a state of emergency for Florida, signing an executive order three days before the storm made landfall.

"The reason we do that is to be able to cooperate with state agencies and local authorities," Crist said Aug. 17, during his initial news conference for Tropical Storm Fay.

Guard leaders say they're committed to one primary task: ensuring the Florida National Guard adequately supports agencies directly responsible for taking care of Florida citizens. To accomplish this mission, the Florida National Guard has more than 9,000 soldiers and airmen available who can respond to various emergencies in Florida, including efforts to deter terrorist-related activities.

"The Guard has continuous contact and coordination with the Florida Division of Emergency Management in Tallahassee, and our joint emergency operations center and planning cells ensure the capability to rapidly build-up personnel and equipment if needed," Army Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, the Guard's chief spokesman, said. "We have extensive experience in responding to emergencies."

Florida National Guard soldiers and airmen are trained and equipped for a wide range of life support, security and public safety missions, he said.

Additional personnel and equipment can be mobilized quickly from other states if needed. The Florida National Guard can also request additional personnel and resources from other states through the National Guard Bureau, as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, Tittle explained.

Air Force, AMC officials poised for Hurricane Gustav support

by Mark Diamond, Headquarters AMC Public Affairs

Shawn Dahl, the lead meteorologist with the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center Weather Cell at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., keeps an eye on the satellite picture that shows the location of Hurricane Gustav Aug. 28. (USAF Photo)

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- In response to preliminary reports that possibly point Hurricane Gustav toward the Gulf Coast of the United States, Air Force officials are postured to support relief efforts, if needed.

Hurricane Gustav, which formed Aug. 25 about 260 miles southeast of Haiti, is the third hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. On Aug. 27, the hurricane was moving away from Haiti. Its tentative track pointed the storm toward the U.S. Gulf coast, including Louisiana, where Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.

Command and control coordination of any humanitarian airlift effort would be provided by the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here. Personnel from the 618th TACC coordinate an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day, and can seamlessly redirect these missions to support emerging requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.

According to Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, the 618th TACC commander, as soon as a hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States, 618th TACC officials begin posturing mobility forces to be able to respond to various relief scenarios. He said this "posturing" may include placing aircraft and crews in Bravo alert status, meaning crews are on standby and ready to launch in three hours or less from notification.

Other forces used to open and operate temporary remote bases, known as Contingency Response Group elements, also may be postured for short notice response in these situations.

Humanitarian operations are a major significant emphasis for the 618th TACC team.

"The 618th TACC has a long history of preparing for and assisting civilian authorities following a natural disaster," General Solo said.

During hurricanes Katrina and Rita, 618th TACC personnel tasked nearly 900 sorties to support relief efforts, and mobility forces moved more than 14,600 passengers, nearly 3,000 patients and hauled the equivalent of 686 semi-truckloads of supplies to and from the Gulf Coast region.

After setting up the contingency response cell during Hurricane Katrina, TACC Airmen rapidly turned requirements into missions for humanitarian airlift assistance to people on the Gulf Coast. Within the first 24 hours of Katrina's landfall, TACC officials aggressively moved search-and-rescue teams and their equipment to Louisiana and then quickly shifted focus to a hub-and-spoke operation to bring in supplies and rescue patients.

Contingency Response Group elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., and the 621st CRW at McGuire AFB, N.J., deployed to the Gulf Coast region to establish airfield operations in support of the massive hurricane relief effort.

During Pakistan earthquake relief operations in 2005, 621st CRW Airmen supported 273 U.S. missions and provided 15,294,000 pounds of relief supplies, including more than 93,000 sleeping bags and 292,000 blankets. Wing personnel also loaded 587 trucks and processed 4,481 pallets.

Navy Takes Delivery of New Hampshire Eight Months Early

The Navy took delivery of its newest attack submarine, Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New Hampshire (SSN 778), from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) Aug. 27, eight months early to its contract delivery date.

New Hampshire is the fifth Virginia-class submarine and the third delivered by GDEB.

New Hampshire's early delivery is an important milestone for both the submarine force and the Virginia-class program.

"Delivering ahead of schedule demonstrates the significant progress made by both the Navy and its shipbuilding partners GDEB and [Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding] toward reducing our construction span and therefore end costs," said Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer for submarines.

"Our shipbuilding partners have played an active role in reducing construction time and cost, both through the Capital Expenditures incentive program that improves facilities and 'lean' initiatives that make shipbuilding more efficient," said Rear Adm. (Sel.) Dave Johnson, Virginia-class program manager.

USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS North Carolina (SSN 777), the two submarines delivered prior to New Hampshire, completed construction after 86 and 82 months respectively. New Hampshire completed construction in just 71 months.

"New Mexico, our next submarine, is projected to be completed after 66 months of construction," added Johnson. "We're closing in on our goal to reduce construction time down to 60 months by our FY12 ships, a significant cost reduction milestone. The Virginia-class program has achieved real savings through economic order quantity purchases."

New Hampshire's delivery is the fourth of seven Virginia-class milestones planned for 2008. Earlier accomplishments include PCU New Mexico's (SSN 779) keel laying ceremony April 12; North Carolina's May 3 commissioning; and New Hampshire's christening ceremony held at GDEB June 21. GDEB will host PCU Missouri's (SSN 780) keel-laying ceremony Sept. 27 while New Mexico will be christened at NGSB Dec. 13.

In between those two events, the Navy will commission New Hampshire at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, Oct. 25. This will mark the first time since 1996 that the Navy has commissioned two submarines of the same class in the same year.

Virginia-class submarines are flexible, multimission platforms designed to operate in both open ocean and littoral waters. Their inherent stealth, endurance, and firepower enable them to support the United States seapower core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection and maritime security.

Reagan Launches First Sorties in Support of OEF

By Lt. Ron Flanders, USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group assumed the duties as Commander, Task Force (CTF) 50 Aug. 28 and launched its first sorties into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 departed the decks of the strike group's flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), bound for Afghanistan to support coalition ground forces.

"This is the mission we've been training for almost a year to carry out," said Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup, commander, Carrier Strike Group 7.

"Every Sailor in this strike group has tremendous focus right now; our pilots and maintenance crews are extremely sharp, and we'll do our part to help coalition troops and foster security in Afghanistan."

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group relieved the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group who has operated in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations since April.

Other CSG-7 ships are supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) while deployed to the region. The guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101), as well as the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) joined Coalition Task Forces 152 and 150 help deter destabilizing activities and ensure a lawful maritime order in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.

Ronald Reagan is joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and relieves USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on station. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group performed the CTF 50 mission for more than four months.

"Abraham Lincoln and her Sailors performed incredibly well," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer.

"We received an outstanding turnover from Lincoln, and we're here to provide the same high level of support to our coalition troops."

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139, and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.

BTown Milcom/Gov Blog Logs - 8/28/2008

WC-130J Hurricane Hunters takes off from Biloxi for hurricane observation ops. (USAF Photo)

With the approach of tropical cyclones Gustav and Hanna, we are monitoring selected frequencies associated with SHARES, FEMA, Secure, National Guard, CAP, US Army Corps of Engineers, and other services that may be involved in any disaster response. All frequencies listed below are in kHz and times in UTC.

Keep an eye on this blog for any late breaking frequency information and you can see my latest list of frequencies to monitor at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/search?q=hurricane.

4490.0 KNY58 - National Communications System - NTCN-HF Gadsden, AL, ALE/USB sounding at 1753 on SHARES SCN channel 3.

4780.0 INDOPS - National Guard Indianapolis, IN, ALE/USB sounding at 1811/1842 on IN NG Primary freq.

5378.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1822 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

5711.0 AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1652/1818/1916 on SHARES SCN channel 4.

5817.0 NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1800 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

5961.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1821/1921 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

6106.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1820 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

6806.0 0011ARCAP - Civil Air Patrol, Unknown location in Arkansas, ALE/USB sounding at 1836 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

6809.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1911 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

7348.0
FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1748 on FEMA FMARS
net freq.
FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1911 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

8012.0
RIC - Civil Air Patrol CAP Region 2 MER/CAP National Technology Center Richmond, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1801 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
0011ARCAP - Civil Air Patrol, Unknown location in Arkansas, ALE/USB sounding at 1828 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.
0048FLCAP - Civil Air Patrol, Unknown location in Florida, ALE/USB sounding at 1922 on the nationwide CAP ALE net.

8037.0 NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1915 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

8047.0
NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1915 on the NG STARC nationwide net.
L060AN - US Army National Guard Baton Rouge, LA, calling HQ703N - NG Readiness Center Arlington, VA, ALE/USB at 1919 on the NG STARC nationwide net.
T3Z238 - National Guard (IN) 2-238 AVN Shelbyville, IN, ALE/USB sounding at 1859 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

8050.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL, ALE/USB sounding at 1819/1919 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

9106.0 AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1650/1748/1817/1914/1943 on SHARES SCN channel 5.

9143.5
NGTROOPCMD - Ohio National Guard Columbus, OH, ALE/USB sounding at 1611.
NRK - US Army National Guard Norfolk, VA, ALE/USB sounding at 1900 on the NG STARC nationwide net.

9462.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1911 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

10194.0 FR5FEM - FEMA Chicago, IL (WGY9865) ALE/USB sounding at 1819 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

10588.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1747/1947 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

10816.5 T060XN - Texas National Guard STARC, Camp Mabry, TX, calling A040LN Montgomery, AL, ALE/USB at 1945.

10899.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1947 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

11108.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1847 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

11217.0 AAT3BF - US Army MARS Newark, DE, ALE/USB sounding at 1651/1748/1817 on SHARES SCN channel 6.

13446.0 FC6 - FEMA Region 6 Office Denton, TX, ALE/USB sounding at 1910 on FEMA FMARS net freq.

13568.0 T060XN - Texas National Guard STARC, Camp Mabry, TX, calling A040LN Montgomery, AL, ALE/USB at 1944.

14776.0 FC8FEM - FEMA Region 8 Denver, CO, ALE/USB sounding at 1846/1946 on FEMA FNARS net freq.

15094.0 USARC5 - Probable US American Red Cross, Unknown location, calling PR13, another unknown location using ALE/USB at 1847 on SHARES SCN channel 7.

Combined Task Force 152 Conducts Exercise Goalkeeper

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Ships from Bahrain, the United Kingdom and the United States are conducting Exercise Goalkeeper in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf to train across the spectrum of Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

Led by Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson, commander, Combined Task Force (CTF) 152, the five-day exercise began Aug. 24 and seeks to ensure a lawful maritime order as well as improve relationships between regional countries.

"Exercise Goalkeeper provides coalition and regional navies an opportunity to fine tune their skills in conducting essential Maritime Security Operations," said Hudson.

In addition to familiarizing all forces with MSO, Goalkeeper provides participants an opportunity to exercise their abilities to locate and track various vessels, practice boarding techniques and work with the Bahraini Coast Guard.

Coalition units participating in the exercise include RBNS Al Fateh (PGGF 20), HMS Montrose (F 236) and USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) as well as coalition maritime patrol aircraft.

Hudson explained the exercise's key focus is handling the command and control in locating and tracking specific vessels deemed to pose a threat to coalition nations in the Gulf region. During the exercise coalition teams will board the vessel and practice the procedures for handing them over to Coast Guard ships.

Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) conduct MSO in the region to help develop conditions for security in the maritime environment, which promotes stability and global prosperity. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel or weapons.

CMF has a common purpose and goal – to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future.

927th Air Refueling Wing breaks ground at MacDill

MacDill Air Force Base has a new tenant. As part of the military's base restructuring, the 927th Air Refueling Wing has been moved from Michigan to Tampa.

They broke ground for the new headquarters for 927th at MacDill on Wednesday.

Col. Ken Lewis, the Wing Commander for the 927th, says over the next two years construction alone will bring in close to 50-million dollars to the Bay area.

As for jobs, Col. Lewis says the Air Refueling Wing will provide 800 full and part time military and civilian jobs which translates into an annual budget of 7 to 10 million dollars.

The new headquarters is expected to be finished by September of 2009

USS McFaul Brings Aid to Batumi, Georgia

USS McFaul (DDG 74) pulled into the port of Batumi, Georgia, Aug. 24 to deliver humanitarian relief supplies to the country as part of the larger United States response to the government of Georgia request for humanitarian assistance.

This represents the first U.S. Navy ship to arrive and deliver humanitarian assistance to Georgia.

"Our job was to get the supplies to Georgia as quickly as possible," said Capt. John Moore, commodore of Combined Task Force 367. "The entire crew of this ship realizes the significance of their efforts in helping to provide comfort to the people of Georgia."

McFaul delivered 82 pallets with about 155,000 pounds of supplies donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including hygiene items, baby food and care supplies, bottled water, and milk. Ships can carry much more cargo per mission than aircraft, which have a capacity of three to 12 pallets per sortie.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas (WHEC 716) and USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) have also on-loaded humanitarian supplies destined for Georgia. Dallas left Souda Bay, Crete on Thursday with more than 76,000 pounds of relief supplies and will arrive in Georgia within a week. U.S. Navy C-9, C-40 and C-130 aircraft have flown tens of thousands of hygiene kits into the country over the past week.

McFaul, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, is home ported in Norfolk, Va., and is on a regularly scheduled deployment in the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility.

Russia Defies Calls for Withdrawal; U.S. Continues Georgia Relief

By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2008 - Russia continues to defy international calls for the country to pull its forces out of Georgia, and humanitarian operations continue, a Pentagon official said here today.
Russian troops continue to occupy the breakaway region of South Ossetia, and Russian troops continue to maintain troops in Gori, a Georgian city that is the gateway to South Ossetia, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

"It is fair to say they are still not living up to the terms of the cease-fire agreement," Whitman said during a meeting with reporters. The terms of the cease-fire include monitoring by military officers under the auspices of the Organization of Security Cooperation in Europe.

The Russian Duma – equivalent to the U.S. House of Representatives -- has called on the government to recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia from Georgia.

Meanwhile, U.S. military personnel continue to deliver humanitarian aid to Georgia. Whitman said about 100 U.S. military and DoD civilian personnel are in Georgia coordinating the aid.

The Navy's USS McFaul docked in the Georgian port of Batumi over the weekend and began off-loading supplies as more humanitarian aid continued to arrive by airlift. "Over the weekend, we have 48 sorties that have flown in with 774 short tons of materials," Whitman said.

The Coast Guard Cutter Dallas has passed through the Dardanelles and entered the Black Sea with more supplies. The USS Mount Whitney is loading humanitarian supplies at Gaeta, Italy.

The United States has provided $18.3 million in aid, with the Defense Department's portion standing at $7.2 million so far for airlift and emergency supplies. DoD's "spend rate" -- the continuing contribution – is about $1 million per day, Whitman said.

Cots, bedding, mattresses, sleeping bags, small tents, mobile kitchen units and medical supplies are "still in need and are priorities," Whitman said.

A U.S. European Command assessment team remains in the country, working with Georgians and the U.S. Embassy in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.

Lifelong radio buff Tom Kneitel dead at 75

Many that read this blog knew my old friend and former editor of Popular Communications magazine, Tom Kneitel. I have the sad duty to report that Tom passed away on Friday. You can get the complete story on my personal blog at http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/2008/08/lifelong-radio-buff-tom-kneitel-dead-at.html.

NATO AWACS conducts Strike Eagle dogfights

by Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A NATO E-3A Sentinel, an airborne warning and control systems aircraft from Geilenkirchen, Germany, sits on the flightline Aug. 12 at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. The aircraft has crewmembers from Germany, Turkey, Greece, Denmark, United States, Portugal and Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Makenzie Lang)

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. (AFPN) -- A NATO E-3A Sentinel and its crew arrived here Aug. 8 to conduct training missions with 4th Fighter Wing aircrews.

The Sentinel, which is an Airborne Early Warning and Control System aircraft from Geilenkirchen, Germany, will conduct mock dogfights between the wing's fighter aircraft. Using its trademark 30-foot exterior satellite, the AWACS aircraft will provide Strike Eagle aircrews with "enemy" positions.

"Our sole purpose is to be the eyes for the aircraft so they can be forewarned if another aircraft is in their vicinity -- friend or foe," said Capt. Gurhan Tarman, the Sentinel's co-pilot from the Turkish Air Force.

The aircrews participating in the dogfight will separate into two teams -- the good guys and the bad guys, Capt. Bruce Douglas said, a crewmember on the Sentinel.

"Hopefully, the good guys win," he said.

The crew will stay until Aug. 27, and will help Strike Eagle aircrews in many ways, said Capt. Nicholas Suppa, assistant director of staff of the 335th Fighter Squadron.

"The greatest thing that we get from the exercise is the fact that we get face-to-face brief and debrief opportunities with one another, something that we normally do not get between ourselves and AWACS crews," he said.

The AWACS crew consists of 23 crewmembers from 15 European and North American nations.

Staff Sgt. Jolene Curphey, a surveillance operator on the Sentinel, said flying with an international aircrew provides a great learning experience that can transfer to the battlefield.

"It's really great to work with people from different places," Sergeant Curphey said. "The crew learns something new with every place we go."

The AWACS crew and Captain Suppa agree the training mission benefits both components in the long run, especially during deployments where units from different nations are called upon to fight side by side.

"The integration of our two systems is integral in our missions, and the more we are able to take from each occasion that we work together, the better we are able to execute our missions with precision," Captain Suppa said.