MADISON, Wis. - The 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin Army National Guard will deploy as many as 3,500 soldiers for an active-duty mission in Iraq in what officials said will be the largest operational deployment of Wisconsin National Guard forces since World War II.
Notification to soldiers, who had been on alert since December, began Sept. 5. Augmentees from six other units will deploy with the brigade.
The mobilization is expected to last about a year. The Wisconsin Army Guard units will report for duty at their local armories in mid-February and then train at a U.S. Army installation in Texas for about two months before deploying overseas. The soldiers will then spend about 10 months of the year-long mobilization in Iraq.
With an authorized strength of about 3,450 soldiers, the 32nd Brigade has units in 36 Wisconsin communities.
Although the combined authorized strength of units on the mobilization order is about 4,500 soldiers, no more than 3,500 will actually be mobilized to fill positions required for the unit's missions, officials said.
Most of the 32nd Brigade's subordinate units have been previously mobilized in the seven years since Sept. 11, 2001.
The 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is descended from the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division, an infantry group formed of Wisconsin and Michigan Guardsmen serving in Texas in 1917. Called to active federal service again for World War I, the division earned its distinctive insignia -- a vertical red arrow through a horizontal red bar -- by piercing every enemy line it faced in four World War I campaigns: Alsace, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne and Meuse-Argonne.
The Red Arrow Division was mobilized again in October 1940, more than a year before the U.S. entered World War II. Most of the division's soldiers fought in the Southwest Pacific, where they played a key role in capturing the Papua New Guinea enemy stronghold at Buna which was, in early 1943, among the first U.S. ground forces victories in the Pacific Theater.
The division went on to fight in the Philippines and ended the war as part of the occupation force on the home islands of Japan. The 32nd Division logged a total of 654 days of continuous World War II combat -- more than any other U.S. Army division in any war. Parts of the division also fought in North Africa and Europe.
In October 1961, President John F. Kennedy called the 32nd Division to federal service during the Berlin crisis; the unit served until August 1962 at Fort Lewis, Wash., before returning to Wisconsin.
In 1967, the 32nd Division -- by then made up entirely of Wisconsin units -- was deactivated and reorganized as the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade. In 1986, the 32nd Infantry Brigade was the first brigade-sized National Guard unit in the nation to deploy all its personnel and equipment overseas for a major NATO exercise, which was conducted annually in West Germany during much of the Cold War.
Because the 32nd Brigade and other affected units had been alerted for the upcoming mobilization since December, commanders have been conducting intensive additional training for their units for the past eight months. The units completed a longer-than-normal, three-week annual training at Fort McCoy, Wis., in August, and another three-week annual training period is planned for January in Florida.
Completing rigorous training requirements before units arrive at their mobilization training sites allows for one-year mobilization durations -- significantly shorter than the 16-to-18-month Army Guard mobilizations – with some even longer -- that were common before new Defense Department policies were announced in January 2007.
With this upcoming mobilization, more than 10,000 soldiers and airmen from the Wisconsin Army and Air National Guard — more than 100 percent of the Guard's total force in the state — will have served on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. This number exceeds 100 percent of the Guard's current number of personnel because of multiple mobilizations for many soldiers and airmen, officials explained.
In addition to the mobilization of the 32nd Brigade Combat Team and six other units in February, another Wisconsin Army National Guard unit will be mobilized in the coming year. The 951st Sapper Company of Tomahawk and Rhinelander, with an authorized strength of about 100 soldiers, will be ordered to active duty at the end of November for a security mission in Afghanistan.
Another unit, Tomah-based Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment of the 732nd Combat Support Sustainment Battalion, is on alert for a possible mobilization in the spring. The unit has an authorized strength of about 75 soldiers.
Even after mobilization of the 32nd Brigade Combat Team and other units identified for mobilization in the coming year, the Wisconsin National Guard will still have more than 60 percent of its forces available in Wisconsin for any state emergency response that may be required, officials said. Upcoming mobilizations do not involve either of the Guard's helicopter units or the state's 54th Civil Support Team.
Most of the Wisconsin National Guard's engineer units are also unaffected, and a 500-member rapid-reaction force remaining in Wisconsin maintains the Guard's capability to provide a speedy security response anywhere in the state, officials said.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
DoD Announces Termination of KC-X Tanker Solicitation
Today, the Department of Defense notified the Congress and the two competing contractors, Boeing and Northrop Grumman, that it is terminating the current competition for a U.S. Air Force airborne tanker replacement.
Secretary Gates, in consultation with senior Defense and Air Force officials, has determined that the solicitation and award cannot be accomplished by January. Rather than hand the next Administration an incomplete and possibly contested process, Secretary Gates decided that the best course of action is to provide the next Administration with full flexibility regarding the requirements, evaluation criteria and the appropriate allocation of defense budget to this mission.
Secretary Gates stated, “Over the past seven years the process has become enormously complex and emotional – in no small part because of mistakes and missteps along the way by the Department of Defense. It is my judgment that in the time remaining to us, we can no longer complete a competition that would be viewed as fair and objective in this highly charged environment. The resulting “cooling off” period will allow the next Administration to review objectively the military requirements and craft a new acquisition strategy for the KC-X.”
In making this decision, it was concluded that the current KC-135 fleet can be adequately maintained to satisfy Air Force missions for the near future. Sufficient funds will be recommended in the FY09 and follow-on budgets to maintain the KC-135 at high-mission capable rates. In addition, the Department will recommend to the Congress the disposition of the pending FY09 funding for the tanker program and plans to continue funding the KC-X program in the FY10 to FY15 budget presently under review.
Secretary Gates, in consultation with senior Defense and Air Force officials, has determined that the solicitation and award cannot be accomplished by January. Rather than hand the next Administration an incomplete and possibly contested process, Secretary Gates decided that the best course of action is to provide the next Administration with full flexibility regarding the requirements, evaluation criteria and the appropriate allocation of defense budget to this mission.
Secretary Gates stated, “Over the past seven years the process has become enormously complex and emotional – in no small part because of mistakes and missteps along the way by the Department of Defense. It is my judgment that in the time remaining to us, we can no longer complete a competition that would be viewed as fair and objective in this highly charged environment. The resulting “cooling off” period will allow the next Administration to review objectively the military requirements and craft a new acquisition strategy for the KC-X.”
In making this decision, it was concluded that the current KC-135 fleet can be adequately maintained to satisfy Air Force missions for the near future. Sufficient funds will be recommended in the FY09 and follow-on budgets to maintain the KC-135 at high-mission capable rates. In addition, the Department will recommend to the Congress the disposition of the pending FY09 funding for the tanker program and plans to continue funding the KC-X program in the FY10 to FY15 budget presently under review.
1st East Coast DDG With BMDS Deploys as Part of ESG
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Michael Starkey, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) transits the Atlantic Ocean. Ramage is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Flordeliz Valerio)
The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is underway in the Navy's 5th and 6th fleet area of operations with new technology added to its arsenal. The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), part of the Iwo Jima ESG, is the first East Coast ship equipped with a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system.
The new BMD system not only allows the strike group to defend themselves against missile attacks, but other areas as well.
"This contributes greatly to the ESG operations," said Cmdr. Peter Galluch, Ramage's commanding officer. "It gives our ESG commander and theater commander another capability that's never been deployed from the East Coast. We can detect and identify, track and engage short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. So whatever theater we go in, we can defend population centers, or assets from attacks from aggressive nations with ballistic missiles. That's never been the case before."
Although there are numerous DDG's homeported on the East Coast, Ramage was specifically selected to be the first to receive the BMD system.
"Ramage, with our base-line Aegis load, makes us eligible to have the BMD software," said Lt. Cmdr. Harry Marsh, Ramage's Combat Systems officer. "With our timeline, the timing of our yard period, and when our deployment was scheduled, we were in the right place at the right time. Our crew has proven that it was also the right ship, we've met all of the requirements and expect to continue to do so."
A vast amount of time was spent in training Ramage's Sailors on the operation of the BMD system.
"The crew underwent very intensive training," said Galluch. "Their rates got them in the ballpark; working on Aegis, working in the combat information center, and their 'A schools' had a lot of it, but then they had a month of specific technical & tactical training on the system."
The training hasn't stopped.
"After the certification we've been running scenarios and drills and technical training to keep up the proficiency and build our operational excellence," Galluch continued. "The Ramage has a great reputation, so they knew what ship to put it on."
The Iwo Jima ESG consists of Ramage; the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); all homeported at Norfolk; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast-attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) transits the Atlantic Ocean. Ramage is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Flordeliz Valerio)The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is underway in the Navy's 5th and 6th fleet area of operations with new technology added to its arsenal. The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), part of the Iwo Jima ESG, is the first East Coast ship equipped with a Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system.
The new BMD system not only allows the strike group to defend themselves against missile attacks, but other areas as well.
"This contributes greatly to the ESG operations," said Cmdr. Peter Galluch, Ramage's commanding officer. "It gives our ESG commander and theater commander another capability that's never been deployed from the East Coast. We can detect and identify, track and engage short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. So whatever theater we go in, we can defend population centers, or assets from attacks from aggressive nations with ballistic missiles. That's never been the case before."
Although there are numerous DDG's homeported on the East Coast, Ramage was specifically selected to be the first to receive the BMD system.
"Ramage, with our base-line Aegis load, makes us eligible to have the BMD software," said Lt. Cmdr. Harry Marsh, Ramage's Combat Systems officer. "With our timeline, the timing of our yard period, and when our deployment was scheduled, we were in the right place at the right time. Our crew has proven that it was also the right ship, we've met all of the requirements and expect to continue to do so."
A vast amount of time was spent in training Ramage's Sailors on the operation of the BMD system.
"The crew underwent very intensive training," said Galluch. "Their rates got them in the ballpark; working on Aegis, working in the combat information center, and their 'A schools' had a lot of it, but then they had a month of specific technical & tactical training on the system."
The training hasn't stopped.
"After the certification we've been running scenarios and drills and technical training to keep up the proficiency and build our operational excellence," Galluch continued. "The Ramage has a great reputation, so they knew what ship to put it on."
The Iwo Jima ESG consists of Ramage; the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); all homeported at Norfolk; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast-attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
AFNORTH Readies For More Tropical Weather
by Master Sgt. Brian S. Orban, 1st Air Force (AFNORTH/CONR) Public Affairs
While the remnants of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna soaked the Gulf and East coasts this week emergency response forces, assigned to Air Forces Northern here, remain poised to react as Hurricane Ike inches its way toward the Florida Keys and possibly the Gulf of Mexico.
AFNORTH and additional military personnel, aircraft and equipment previously moved to forward staging points across the southeastern United States, remain on around-the-clock alert as they monitor the path and intensity of Ike as it makes its way east towards the continental United States.
“Having our forces prepositioned is the right thing to do,” said Col. David Kriner, 601st Air and Space Operations Center commander, as he highlighted preparations taken days before Hurricane Gustav made landfall last week. “It’s better to have a little too many people and assets prepositioned and ready to respond immediately after the storm passes versus not having enough,” he added.
A ‘home’ for military subject matter experts on air mobility, satellite operations, imagery collection and search and rescue, the 601st AOC - commonly known as “America’s AOC” - continues to review damage caused by Gustav and Hanna while keeping an eye on inbound storms. A large-screen monitor in its Current Operations Center displays live video shot by manned and unmanned observation aircraft over the affected areas to give military and civil response agencies an immediate look at areas hardest hit by the storm.
According to Colonel Kriner, lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 drove the need for beefing up the operations center. In the days before Hurricane Gustav, the center brought in roughly 60 additional subject matter experts, ready to immediately respond to significant events before and after a major storm.
“When a hurricane approaches, time is against us,” Colonel Kriner said.
Among the people moved to various staging areas for these major storms include members of AFNORTH’s Air Component Coordination Element, or ACCE. During natural disasters or other contingencies, these people serve in a command and control function to coordinate the movement of needed Air Force assets into stricken regions, support state and federal evacuation, humanitarian relief and search and rescue missions.
To brace for Tropical Storm Hanna’s sweep across the East Coast, AFNORTH moved a 12-person ACCE team to Louisiana, with other teams already in position before Gustav hit Louisiana.
“We had an ACCE deployed with Army North ‘s operational command post in Alexandria, La.,” said Col. John Colombo, director of AFNORTH air, space and information operations, as he outlined plans for Tropical Storm Hanna. “The ACCE is the [Army] command post’s immediate tie in to the capabilities that reside here at Tyndall AFB. They are able to reach back here to the staff where we help meet the requirements real time [to] provide them the best support for national, state and local responders to offer to the citizens affected by these storms.”
“What we did here during Gustav has set the stage for Hannah, Ike and the next storms down the line,” Colonel Colombo said. AFNORTH personnel opened lines of communication with their military and civilian emergency response counterparts as its people move into a familiar “battle rhythm” to maintain continuous operations over the next couple of weeks, he added.
In addition to immediate command and control support on the ground, AFNORTH deployed dozens of Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers, or EPLOs, to prepare for the next storms. These teams of Reservists respond to requests from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help local and state emergency relief agencies needing immediate military assistance.
In the case of Gustav, 40 of these senior officers used their expertise in military airlift, logistics and medical and security operations to help state and federal agencies in Louisiana evacuate more than 7,000 civilians, including about 700 critically ill patients, before it made landfall Sept. 1.
“In only 24 hours after Gustav hit ... there was no need for search and rescue,” said Col. Michael Hare, AFNORTH National Security Emergency Preparedness director, who oversees 75 EPLOs . “The reason is because we got [people] out of town. It was a total team effort. Everything that needed to happen did happen. We were ready to conduct day and night operations in nearly all weather [conditions], but thankfully it was not needed this time.”
With Hurricane Ike closing in on the United States, EPLOs and other AFNORTH elements remain on the move to position themselves to act should the storm strengthen and provide a more potent punch.
“When we put on this uniform and come to work, we bring with us the credibility and responsibility associated with the Air Force,” Colonel Hare said.
While the remnants of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna soaked the Gulf and East coasts this week emergency response forces, assigned to Air Forces Northern here, remain poised to react as Hurricane Ike inches its way toward the Florida Keys and possibly the Gulf of Mexico. AFNORTH and additional military personnel, aircraft and equipment previously moved to forward staging points across the southeastern United States, remain on around-the-clock alert as they monitor the path and intensity of Ike as it makes its way east towards the continental United States.
“Having our forces prepositioned is the right thing to do,” said Col. David Kriner, 601st Air and Space Operations Center commander, as he highlighted preparations taken days before Hurricane Gustav made landfall last week. “It’s better to have a little too many people and assets prepositioned and ready to respond immediately after the storm passes versus not having enough,” he added.
A ‘home’ for military subject matter experts on air mobility, satellite operations, imagery collection and search and rescue, the 601st AOC - commonly known as “America’s AOC” - continues to review damage caused by Gustav and Hanna while keeping an eye on inbound storms. A large-screen monitor in its Current Operations Center displays live video shot by manned and unmanned observation aircraft over the affected areas to give military and civil response agencies an immediate look at areas hardest hit by the storm.
According to Colonel Kriner, lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 drove the need for beefing up the operations center. In the days before Hurricane Gustav, the center brought in roughly 60 additional subject matter experts, ready to immediately respond to significant events before and after a major storm.
“When a hurricane approaches, time is against us,” Colonel Kriner said.
Among the people moved to various staging areas for these major storms include members of AFNORTH’s Air Component Coordination Element, or ACCE. During natural disasters or other contingencies, these people serve in a command and control function to coordinate the movement of needed Air Force assets into stricken regions, support state and federal evacuation, humanitarian relief and search and rescue missions.
To brace for Tropical Storm Hanna’s sweep across the East Coast, AFNORTH moved a 12-person ACCE team to Louisiana, with other teams already in position before Gustav hit Louisiana.
“We had an ACCE deployed with Army North ‘s operational command post in Alexandria, La.,” said Col. John Colombo, director of AFNORTH air, space and information operations, as he outlined plans for Tropical Storm Hanna. “The ACCE is the [Army] command post’s immediate tie in to the capabilities that reside here at Tyndall AFB. They are able to reach back here to the staff where we help meet the requirements real time [to] provide them the best support for national, state and local responders to offer to the citizens affected by these storms.”
“What we did here during Gustav has set the stage for Hannah, Ike and the next storms down the line,” Colonel Colombo said. AFNORTH personnel opened lines of communication with their military and civilian emergency response counterparts as its people move into a familiar “battle rhythm” to maintain continuous operations over the next couple of weeks, he added.
In addition to immediate command and control support on the ground, AFNORTH deployed dozens of Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers, or EPLOs, to prepare for the next storms. These teams of Reservists respond to requests from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help local and state emergency relief agencies needing immediate military assistance.
In the case of Gustav, 40 of these senior officers used their expertise in military airlift, logistics and medical and security operations to help state and federal agencies in Louisiana evacuate more than 7,000 civilians, including about 700 critically ill patients, before it made landfall Sept. 1.
“In only 24 hours after Gustav hit ... there was no need for search and rescue,” said Col. Michael Hare, AFNORTH National Security Emergency Preparedness director, who oversees 75 EPLOs . “The reason is because we got [people] out of town. It was a total team effort. Everything that needed to happen did happen. We were ready to conduct day and night operations in nearly all weather [conditions], but thankfully it was not needed this time.”
With Hurricane Ike closing in on the United States, EPLOs and other AFNORTH elements remain on the move to position themselves to act should the storm strengthen and provide a more potent punch.
“When we put on this uniform and come to work, we bring with us the credibility and responsibility associated with the Air Force,” Colonel Hare said.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Operation Deep Freeze 2008-2009 season begins
C-17 Globemaster III's from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., will be shuttling supplies, equipment and personnel for Operation Deep Freeze. The 2008-2009 season for ODF began Sept. 4. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Erika Yepsen)Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation, kicked off the 2008-2009 season on Sept. 4 as the first C-17 Globemaster III delivers passengers and cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
The C-17, based out of McChord Air Force Base, Washington, will fly multiple missions from Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand, to McMurdo Station as part of SpringFly Sept. 4-10. Christchurch is the staging point for deployment to McMurdo Station, a key research and operations facility for the U.S. Antarctic Program.
Formerly known as WinFly, SpringFly is the ODF ramp-up phase to prepare buildings and equipment, as well as pave the overland traverse to the South Pole, in preparation for the arrival of the main body of military and civilian personnel during the main season in October.
ODF involves operational and logistic support of the National Science Foundation's scientific research activities in Antarctica by U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army and Coast Guard forces. This support is provided by members of the Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica headquartered here and led by Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback, 13th Air Force and JTF SFA commander.
JTF-SFA personnel coordinate strategic intertheater airlift, tactical LC-130 deep field support, aeromedical evacuation support, search and rescue response, sealift, seaport access, bulk fuel supply, port cargo handling and transportation requirements for ODF. Active duty, National Guard and Reserve personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Army and Coast Guard work together as part of the Joint Task Force.
Antarctica is the coldest, windiest and most inhospitable continent on the globe. The U.S. military are uniquely equipped and trained to operate in such an austere environment and has therefore provided support to the U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955.
Frequency information for Operation Deep Freeze:
HF and VHF frequencies used in Antarctica
Source: Field Manual for the US Antarctica Program
http://www.usap.gov/travelAndDeployment/documents/USAPFieldManual.pdf
HF Comms
Primary HF transmission mode is USB. Communications between Antarctica field parties and fixed-wing aircraft normally occur on 9032 kHz. If a fixed-wing aircraft cannot be reached on that frequency, they use 4770 kHz or 11553 kHz to contact MAC Ops at McMurdo. Helo secondary frequency is 9032 kHz. The primary frequencies for passing weather observations is:
• 11553 kHz for remote-site field parties.
• 4770 kHz for Dry Valley and surrounding areas field parties.
McMurdo Station
Frequency Channel Description
4770 kHz Ross Island and Dry Valley Field Parties
5100 kHz Air-to-Ground
5400 kHz Scott Base Field Parties
7995 kHz Remote/South Pole
9032 kHz Air-to-Ground
11553 kHz Remote Field Parties
Palmer Station
Frequency Channel Description
4125 kHz Secondary USAP Field Parties
11553 kHz Primary USAP Field Parties
VHF Comms
McMurdo Frequency Plan (For vehicle and handheld radios in the McMurdo vicinity):
Transmit Receive CH Net Name freq. (MHz) freq. (MHz)
1* I-Net (T-Site ) 143.000 143.000
2* Crash Net (T-Site) 139.600 139.600
3* NZ Portable 142.800 138.800
4* NZ Crater Hill 139.300 143.800
5 Public Works (T-Site) 139.000 142.600
6 Airfield Ops 139.200 139.200
7 Science Net 139.500 139.500
8 Field Party Ops 138.600 143.225 (Aurora repeater)
9 Fuels Net (T-Site) 143.600 143.600
10 Movement Control Center 139.800 143.725 ( U.S. Crater Hill repeater)
11 Helo Ops 143.400 143.400
12 Penguin Ops/ANG 143.200 143.200
Further Field Party Frequency Plan (For portable and handheld VHF radios issued to science groups and support personnel deploying to the Dry Valleys, sea ice camps, and Ross Island camps):
Transmit ReceiveCH Net Name freq. (MHz) freq. (MHz)
1* I-Net (T-Site ) 143.000 143.000
2* Crash Net (T-Site) 139.600 139.600
3 Science Net 139.500 139.500
4 Helo Ops 143.400 143.400
5* NZ Crater Hill 139.300 143.800
6 Helo Flight Following 138.500 143.975
7 Field Party Ops 138.600 143.225 (Taylor repeater)
8 Field Party Ops 138.600 143.225 (Wright repeater)
9 Field Party Ops 138.600 143.225 (Terror repeater)
10 Field Party Ops 138.600 143.225 (Aurora repeater)
11 Field Party Ops 138.600 143.225 (Brooke repeater)
12 Blank
Callsigns
Mac Ops -- Field Operation Communications Center, second floor of Bldg 165 at McMurdo. Air National Guard LC-130 aircraft are identified by the call sign “Skier,” followed by a specific aircraft number.Helicopters are identified by the last three digits on the helicopter tail. The digits are always two numbers and a letter.
Indiana Guard Deploys
Nearly 150 Indiana National Guard troops from the 1158th Transportation Company are heading to Iraq.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
C-17s evacuate from Charleston
by 1st Lt. C. Michaela Judge 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The flightline is empty at Charleston Air Force Base S.C. The C-17 Globemaster IIIs that fly from base were evacuated Sept. 4 in preparation for possible hurricane conditions. The C-17s moved inland to both Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and to Whiteman AFB, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cynthia Spalding)
Eleven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft here evacuated Sept. 4 due to the possibility of severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Hanna.
The evacuation of the C-17s began midmorning and continued until about 2:15 p.m. Six of the aircraft relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, while the remaining five were repositioned at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Currently, flying operations are suspended here until the aircraft are cleared to safely return. The last time Charleston AFB officials evacuated aircraft for a hurricane was in August 2006.
"We've been watching Tropical Storm Hanna this past week and we are taking the appropriate actions to make sure that both the base and our people are ready," said Col. John Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "We are repositioning our aircraft for two reasons. One is to maintain the security of the aircraft; the other is to continue the ability to use the aircraft, so that if we get tasked for missions, we still have the ability to operate."
The colonel said the day-to-day operations here would continue up until the point that base leaders determine the safety of Charleston's population could be jeopardized because of the storm.
"Our main concern is the safety of our Airmen and their families," he said. "We are making sure that we take effective measures to inform them of the status of the situation and that we take the appropriate preparatory actions."
At this time, no mandatory evacuation order for personnel has been given. However, as a reminder, in the event of an evacuation, Airmen and their families must call the Personnel Relocation Center at 1-800-435-9941 to notify the Air Force Personnel Center of where they are, a good contact number and any other pertinent information. Airmen also are asked to call on a daily basis to see when they will be able to return to the base.
"It is imperative that supervisors maintain 100 percent accountability of personnel and their families, including those with deployed loved ones," Colonel Millander said. "Nothing is more important than our Airmen who perform the mission each and every day. I appreciate all the hard work each individual has dedicated to this effort in ensuring the safety of Team Charleston. Continue to stay positive and focused. We are in this together."
The flightline is empty at Charleston Air Force Base S.C. The C-17 Globemaster IIIs that fly from base were evacuated Sept. 4 in preparation for possible hurricane conditions. The C-17s moved inland to both Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and to Whiteman AFB, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Cynthia Spalding)Eleven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft here evacuated Sept. 4 due to the possibility of severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Hanna.
The evacuation of the C-17s began midmorning and continued until about 2:15 p.m. Six of the aircraft relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, while the remaining five were repositioned at Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Currently, flying operations are suspended here until the aircraft are cleared to safely return. The last time Charleston AFB officials evacuated aircraft for a hurricane was in August 2006.
"We've been watching Tropical Storm Hanna this past week and we are taking the appropriate actions to make sure that both the base and our people are ready," said Col. John Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "We are repositioning our aircraft for two reasons. One is to maintain the security of the aircraft; the other is to continue the ability to use the aircraft, so that if we get tasked for missions, we still have the ability to operate."
The colonel said the day-to-day operations here would continue up until the point that base leaders determine the safety of Charleston's population could be jeopardized because of the storm.
"Our main concern is the safety of our Airmen and their families," he said. "We are making sure that we take effective measures to inform them of the status of the situation and that we take the appropriate preparatory actions."
At this time, no mandatory evacuation order for personnel has been given. However, as a reminder, in the event of an evacuation, Airmen and their families must call the Personnel Relocation Center at 1-800-435-9941 to notify the Air Force Personnel Center of where they are, a good contact number and any other pertinent information. Airmen also are asked to call on a daily basis to see when they will be able to return to the base.
"It is imperative that supervisors maintain 100 percent accountability of personnel and their families, including those with deployed loved ones," Colonel Millander said. "Nothing is more important than our Airmen who perform the mission each and every day. I appreciate all the hard work each individual has dedicated to this effort in ensuring the safety of Team Charleston. Continue to stay positive and focused. We are in this together."
Thursday, September 04, 2008
San Antonio Takes New Technology to Sea
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) heads to sea as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (IWO ESG) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler J. Wilson)
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) deployed Aug. 28 as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), marking the first deployment of a ship in the technologically advanced San Antonio class of warships.
The deployment introduces new technology and capabilities never before seen in any ESG. One example of this technology is the shipwide area network (SWAN).
"SWAN is the first network to be the backbone of vital components of the ship," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Wendall Bates.
"Engineering, navigation and steering all run through SWAN, allowing Sailors to monitor all the systems in a much faster and reliable way."
Communications with other ships has always been key to the Navy's success. San Antonio has taken communications to the next level.
"Our cooperative engagement capability allows us to interact with fellow ships underway," said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Kevin Sanders, combat systems leading petty officer.
"By seeing what other ships see through our radars, we can see targets far ahead and either intercept them ourselves or pass along orders for our allies to intercept."
Targeting surface threats with weapons has also benefited from the new technology.
"San Antonio is the first class of ship to have an MK-46 30mm gun weapon system," said Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer. "It is a very effective anti-surface weapon with specific daytime and nighttime modes."
Another force protection measure added to the transport dock ship is San Antonio's arsenal of small boats.
"Our collection of small boats makes both Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) operations and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations easier with increased capability and flexibility," explained Kastner.
Other San Antonio design features make day-to-day life more comfortable for the Sailors, while also increasing efficiency.
The engineers aboard keep much cooler thanks to unmanned engine rooms. This is possible due to the engineering control system (ECS).
"ECS is a PC-based system that provides remote monitoring and control of the propulsion, fuel, electrical, auxiliary, damage control, and ballast systems," said Kastner.
San Antonio can also serve as a small-scale hospital ship, and boasts a state-of-the-art medical department that is equipped to provide the highest quality of care with the inclusion of systems like Medical Web.
"San Antonio is designed as a secondary casualty receiving ship with an in-house care facility, complete with an operating room, capable of caring for 24 intensive care patients," said Kastner. "Additionally, Medical Web allows the medical team to transfer digital X-ray images for consultation at large, to shore-based hospitals."
The design of the ship has also made moving supplies throughout the ship less laborious.
"The ship's design places the elevators in front of the store rooms, allowing for easy transfer of stores while other ships often need to snake around the ship to get the stores where they need to go," stated Kastner.
A deployment is an opportune time to work on qualifications and further in-rate knowledge. San Antonio's Total Ship Training System provides shipwide access to computer-based lessons.
"This Total Ship Training System offers everybody the opportunity to train on any computer aboard on various topics ranging from rate specific training, to basic damage control courses," continued Kastner.
Ultimately, San Antonio was designed with one predominant focus: the Marines and supporting their mission.
"LPD-17 provides 23,000 square feet of vehicle space and wider passage ways for debarkation and embarkation," said Marine Chief Warrant Officer Two Anthonie Scott.
"This allows the ship and the Marines to perform independent operations, while the rest of the strike group works other missions. This is the future of amphibious shipping, and the Navy-Marine Corps team will only benefit from its existence."
"These systems, when combined together, will deliver to the Navy the next generation of warships," concluded Kastner.
San Antonio is part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which also consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the dock-landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
The strike group is currently en route to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The strike group will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. The Maritime Strategy represents a new vision for the 21st century and establishes new capabilities to codify longstanding challenges, while maintaining the focus on enduring missions.
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) heads to sea as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (IWO ESG) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler J. Wilson)The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) deployed Aug. 28 as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), marking the first deployment of a ship in the technologically advanced San Antonio class of warships.
The deployment introduces new technology and capabilities never before seen in any ESG. One example of this technology is the shipwide area network (SWAN).
"SWAN is the first network to be the backbone of vital components of the ship," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Wendall Bates.
"Engineering, navigation and steering all run through SWAN, allowing Sailors to monitor all the systems in a much faster and reliable way."
Communications with other ships has always been key to the Navy's success. San Antonio has taken communications to the next level.
"Our cooperative engagement capability allows us to interact with fellow ships underway," said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Kevin Sanders, combat systems leading petty officer.
"By seeing what other ships see through our radars, we can see targets far ahead and either intercept them ourselves or pass along orders for our allies to intercept."
Targeting surface threats with weapons has also benefited from the new technology.
"San Antonio is the first class of ship to have an MK-46 30mm gun weapon system," said Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer. "It is a very effective anti-surface weapon with specific daytime and nighttime modes."
Another force protection measure added to the transport dock ship is San Antonio's arsenal of small boats.
"Our collection of small boats makes both Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) operations and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations easier with increased capability and flexibility," explained Kastner.
Other San Antonio design features make day-to-day life more comfortable for the Sailors, while also increasing efficiency.
The engineers aboard keep much cooler thanks to unmanned engine rooms. This is possible due to the engineering control system (ECS).
"ECS is a PC-based system that provides remote monitoring and control of the propulsion, fuel, electrical, auxiliary, damage control, and ballast systems," said Kastner.
San Antonio can also serve as a small-scale hospital ship, and boasts a state-of-the-art medical department that is equipped to provide the highest quality of care with the inclusion of systems like Medical Web.
"San Antonio is designed as a secondary casualty receiving ship with an in-house care facility, complete with an operating room, capable of caring for 24 intensive care patients," said Kastner. "Additionally, Medical Web allows the medical team to transfer digital X-ray images for consultation at large, to shore-based hospitals."
The design of the ship has also made moving supplies throughout the ship less laborious.
"The ship's design places the elevators in front of the store rooms, allowing for easy transfer of stores while other ships often need to snake around the ship to get the stores where they need to go," stated Kastner.
A deployment is an opportune time to work on qualifications and further in-rate knowledge. San Antonio's Total Ship Training System provides shipwide access to computer-based lessons.
"This Total Ship Training System offers everybody the opportunity to train on any computer aboard on various topics ranging from rate specific training, to basic damage control courses," continued Kastner.
Ultimately, San Antonio was designed with one predominant focus: the Marines and supporting their mission.
"LPD-17 provides 23,000 square feet of vehicle space and wider passage ways for debarkation and embarkation," said Marine Chief Warrant Officer Two Anthonie Scott.
"This allows the ship and the Marines to perform independent operations, while the rest of the strike group works other missions. This is the future of amphibious shipping, and the Navy-Marine Corps team will only benefit from its existence."
"These systems, when combined together, will deliver to the Navy the next generation of warships," concluded Kastner.
San Antonio is part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which also consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the dock-landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
The strike group is currently en route to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The strike group will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. The Maritime Strategy represents a new vision for the 21st century and establishes new capabilities to codify longstanding challenges, while maintaining the focus on enduring missions.
Bataan Sails in Familiar Waters During HURREX 08
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Christina M. Shaw
ABOARD USS BATAAN, At sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 2 for HURREX 08-002 to demonstrate at-sea readiness for disaster response.
It will give Bataan a chance to demonstrate their ability to respond to humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief needs during the 2008 hurricane season.
"This will be a valuable time for us at sea, and we'll stay out as long as we need to," said Capt. Rick Snyder, Bataan's commanding officer.
Nearly 1,100 Sailors make up Bataan's crew, and Snyder believes their "big hearts" may be even more important than the state-of-the-art equipment and capabilities that makes the ship an ideal platform for disaster-relief operations.
"The Sailors are all great Americans who are ready to take care of other Americans, that's probably the best asset we have," said Snyder.
During the course of the exercise, the ship and embarked commands will test their ability to coordinate and perform search and rescue operations, evacuations and provide medical care.
The coordination among all units involved was tested immediately when Commander, U.S. Second Fleet directed the short-notice underway to commence the exercise.
"Bataan is like a well-oiled machine," said Capt. Jack Sotherland, Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group commodore. "Everybody was notified; they recalled their personnel, and we went ahead and made it happen."
Bataan Sailors proved themselves during real-world events just three years earlier. The ship was on station in the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 20, 2005, and was the first Navy ship on scene after Katrina, a category 4 hurricane, made landfall.
The crew went right to work and spent 19 days supporting the relief efforts by moving more than 1,600 people to safety and delivering more than 160,000 pounds of supplies to the Gulf Coast states.
"We moved food, water and neonatal materials to the area, because everything was bad," said Storekeeper First Class (SW/AW) Antonio Gillespie, stock control leading petty officer. "This time, all the ships and commands got together to coordinate who needs to be where in order to be on site in a more timely fashion."
Embarked squadrons for the exercise include equipment and personnel from Commander, Amphibious Squadron Two; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Tactical Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team Six, Assault Craft Unit Two and Four and Beachmaster Unit Two.
Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997, and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name.
ABOARD USS BATAAN, At sea (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 2 for HURREX 08-002 to demonstrate at-sea readiness for disaster response.
It will give Bataan a chance to demonstrate their ability to respond to humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief needs during the 2008 hurricane season.
"This will be a valuable time for us at sea, and we'll stay out as long as we need to," said Capt. Rick Snyder, Bataan's commanding officer.
Nearly 1,100 Sailors make up Bataan's crew, and Snyder believes their "big hearts" may be even more important than the state-of-the-art equipment and capabilities that makes the ship an ideal platform for disaster-relief operations.
"The Sailors are all great Americans who are ready to take care of other Americans, that's probably the best asset we have," said Snyder.
During the course of the exercise, the ship and embarked commands will test their ability to coordinate and perform search and rescue operations, evacuations and provide medical care.
The coordination among all units involved was tested immediately when Commander, U.S. Second Fleet directed the short-notice underway to commence the exercise.
"Bataan is like a well-oiled machine," said Capt. Jack Sotherland, Bataan Expeditionary Strike Group commodore. "Everybody was notified; they recalled their personnel, and we went ahead and made it happen."
Bataan Sailors proved themselves during real-world events just three years earlier. The ship was on station in the Gulf of Mexico Aug. 20, 2005, and was the first Navy ship on scene after Katrina, a category 4 hurricane, made landfall.
The crew went right to work and spent 19 days supporting the relief efforts by moving more than 1,600 people to safety and delivering more than 160,000 pounds of supplies to the Gulf Coast states.
"We moved food, water and neonatal materials to the area, because everything was bad," said Storekeeper First Class (SW/AW) Antonio Gillespie, stock control leading petty officer. "This time, all the ships and commands got together to coordinate who needs to be where in order to be on site in a more timely fashion."
Embarked squadrons for the exercise include equipment and personnel from Commander, Amphibious Squadron Two; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Tactical Squadron 21, Fleet Surgical Team Six, Assault Craft Unit Two and Four and Beachmaster Unit Two.
Bataan is the fifth ship of the Navy's Wasp-class ships. She was commissioned Sept. 20, 1997, and is the second U.S. Navy warship to bear the name.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Milcom Blog Logs 9/2/2008
Emergency vehicles carrying evacuees of Hurricane Gustav stage near a Canadian Air Force CC-177 at Lake Front Airport, New Orleans, LA., Aug. 31, 2008. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and The Department of Defense provided flights to transport citizens to destinations safely outside the hurricanes path. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller)
Here are the latest intercepts monitored from in the Btown MP in the last 24 hours.
(All freqs below are kHz and mode is ALE/USB unless otherwise stated)
ALE Addresses observed on the COTHEN Net:
701 790 A10 A40 A47 CNT D02 D03 D45 D70 EST F33 F40 HSD I86 I94 J04 J12 J29 J31 K57 LGV LNT N03 PAC T42 T72 TSC UCG V12
Frequencies: 5732.0 7527.0 8912.0 10242.0 11494.0 13907.0 15867.0 18594.0 20890.0 23214.0 25350.0
3349.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network - WWLNNN
5711.0 SHARES SCN Channel 4 - AAT3BF
5817.0 USA NG - NRK
7428.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FR5FEM
8047.0 USA NG - T3Z238 MING
8050.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FC8FEM FR5FEM
9025.0 Mexican Army (Planet/Sky/Mythology Network) - Jupiter Pluton
USAF HF-GCS Scope Command ALE HF Network - OFF
9106.0 SHARES SCN Channel 5 - AAT3BF BF741
9224.0 DoD Tri Service MARS HF ALE Network - 2PBAFA
9462.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FC1 FC1FMA FC6 MA1 RI1FMA
10194.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FC1 FC6 RI1 VT1
10202.0 National Public Health Radio Network - 119CDCS05 (Arkansas)
10816.5 National Guard STARC Nationwide Net - HQ703N M010AN M070ON R010IN
11217.0 SHARES SCN Channel 6 - AAT3BF
11801.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FR5FEM
12087.0 USA NG - T1Z147 w R27069/R24610
National Guard STARC Nationwide Net - HQ703N M010AN M080TN W100AN
12216.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FC1 VT1
13446.0 FEMA National Radio System (FNARS) - FC6 FC8FEM
San Antonio Begins Its Maiden Deployment
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) heads to sea as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (IWO ESG) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler J. Wilson/Released)
USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) deployed from its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 28 as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).
San Antonio's departure marks its first deployment since it's commissioning Jan. 14, 2006 and the first deployment of a San Antonio-class amphibious ship.
"It is truly an honor and privilege to be part of LPD 17's maiden deployment," said Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer. "When I look back at the accomplishments and effort by the crew getting the first ship in the San Antonio-class warship ready, I am proud and humbled at the same time."
San Antonio provides unique capabilities that have never been incorporated into any previously-deployed ESG.
"The operational flexibility of our strike group is greatly enhanced by San Antonio's capabilities," said Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima ESG. "Its multi-functional design supports technological advances in landing craft, aircraft and amphibious vehicles. The ship has a state-of-the-art command and control suite, more than double the storage space of the ships it replaces and advanced survivability features that enhance its ability to operate in the littoral environment."
This deployment is not only the first for San Antonio but the first for many of the ship's Sailors as well.
"It's ironic that my first deployment is the first for the San Antonio also," said Interior Communication's Specialist 3rd Class Thomas Quintavalle. "I've waited for this moment for a long time -- to visit places in the world that I dreamed of seeing as a kid."
The path to getting San Antonio prepared for her maiden voyage was scattered with a variety of technical challenges. The ship's departure from Norfolk is evidence of the dedicated effort of the crew and provides a sense of accomplishment for its Sailors.
"I wanted to help see this ship get underway to show that the blood, sweat and tears from its crew - both past and present - have paid off," said Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class (SW) Walt Douglas, executive department leading petty officer.
The sense of accomplishment is shared by Smith.
"San Antonio and its Sailors are ready," he said. "The ship demonstrated flawless execution of procedures for getting underway and conducted a highly efficient onload of Marines and their equipment. I fully expect to see the same excellence from San Antonio and its crew throughout deployment."
San Antonio joined the rest of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the dock-landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
The Iwo Jima ESG with its more than 6,000 Sailors and Marines, deployed Aug. 26-29 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The strike group will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The Maritime Strategy represents a new vision for the 21st century and establishes new capabilities to codify longstanding challenges, while maintaining the focus on enduring missions.
The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) heads to sea as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (IWO ESG) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler J. Wilson/Released)USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) deployed from its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 28 as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).
San Antonio's departure marks its first deployment since it's commissioning Jan. 14, 2006 and the first deployment of a San Antonio-class amphibious ship.
"It is truly an honor and privilege to be part of LPD 17's maiden deployment," said Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer. "When I look back at the accomplishments and effort by the crew getting the first ship in the San Antonio-class warship ready, I am proud and humbled at the same time."
San Antonio provides unique capabilities that have never been incorporated into any previously-deployed ESG.
"The operational flexibility of our strike group is greatly enhanced by San Antonio's capabilities," said Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima ESG. "Its multi-functional design supports technological advances in landing craft, aircraft and amphibious vehicles. The ship has a state-of-the-art command and control suite, more than double the storage space of the ships it replaces and advanced survivability features that enhance its ability to operate in the littoral environment."
This deployment is not only the first for San Antonio but the first for many of the ship's Sailors as well.
"It's ironic that my first deployment is the first for the San Antonio also," said Interior Communication's Specialist 3rd Class Thomas Quintavalle. "I've waited for this moment for a long time -- to visit places in the world that I dreamed of seeing as a kid."
The path to getting San Antonio prepared for her maiden voyage was scattered with a variety of technical challenges. The ship's departure from Norfolk is evidence of the dedicated effort of the crew and provides a sense of accomplishment for its Sailors.
"I wanted to help see this ship get underway to show that the blood, sweat and tears from its crew - both past and present - have paid off," said Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class (SW) Walt Douglas, executive department leading petty officer.
The sense of accomplishment is shared by Smith.
"San Antonio and its Sailors are ready," he said. "The ship demonstrated flawless execution of procedures for getting underway and conducted a highly efficient onload of Marines and their equipment. I fully expect to see the same excellence from San Antonio and its crew throughout deployment."
San Antonio joined the rest of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the dock-landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
The Iwo Jima ESG with its more than 6,000 Sailors and Marines, deployed Aug. 26-29 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations.
The strike group will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response. The Maritime Strategy represents a new vision for the 21st century and establishes new capabilities to codify longstanding challenges, while maintaining the focus on enduring missions.
Navy Readies Forces and Focuses on Families in Face of Gustav
The Navy is readying forces as well as support in response to Hurricane Gustav.
The Navy is currently positioning forces in order to support response efforts if required following landfall of Hurricane Gustav.
"Navy forces that are trained and capable of conducting extensive search and rescues, evacuations and providing medical assistance are standing ready to provide assistance when called upon to do so," said Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations.
A variety of naval forces, including USS Bataan (LHA 5) and a number of helicopters, will support disaster relief efforts should they be necessary. Additional naval forces are ready and prepared to deploy should they be needed.
Additionally, the Navy Installation team is responding quickly with the right shore capabilities and the right support to help those in need. Servicemembers, Navy civilians and family members are being fully accounted for to ensure appropriate support is provided.
"We are taking steps to account for every member of our Navy family and to ensure that they know they are fully supported," said Roughead.
Navy personnel and their families who may be impacted by Hurricane Gustav can update their contact information at the Navy Family Accountability & Assessment System (NFAAS) website: https://navyfamily.navy.mil/. NFASS standardized a method for the Navy to account, assess, manage and monitor the recovery process for personnel and their families affected by such an event.
Navy Flexes to Support Hurricane Gustav Recovery Efforts
The amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4), the flagship of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, transits westward in the Atlantic Ocean. The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is completing its deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jonathan Pankau (Released)Navy commanders have ordered a multitude of capabilities and assets to be prepared to deploy in the event the Navy is directed to provide assistance to civilian authorities after Hurricane Gustav came ashore Sept. 1.
Identified forces include Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) staff, Amphibious Squadron 2 (PHIBRON 2) staff, as well as three amphibious ships -- the amphibious assault ships USS Bataan (LHD 5) and USS Nassau (LHA 4), and the amphibious transport dock ship USS Ponce (LPD 15). Two P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, 24 medium and heavy lift helicopters, a mobile dive and salvage unit detachment, an underwater construction team detachment, two naval mobile construction battalion(NMCB) air detachments and a fleet survey team have also been identified.
"We're trying to be proactive, taking every step to ensure our Navy's maritime capabilities are best positioned to quickly respond to support coordinating government agencies," said Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, Deputy Chief of Staff for Global Force Management and Joint Operations at U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
The efforts are the Navy's role in the Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) mission. DSCA is a term used to describe Department of Defense support, to include federal military forces, as well as DoD agency and military forces, for domestic emergencies and for designated law enforcement and other activities.
"Our Sailors are incredibly committed to supporting potential Gustav recovery efforts. Many of them have relatives and friends living in areas hit by Gustav," Buzby added.
Identified Navy forces can tailor their capabilities to support specific mission requirements, but current capabilities include: conducting extensive search and rescues, evacuations and providing medical assistance.
The forces will remain at an increased state of readiness until commanders determine the recovery efforts are under control and Navy assets are no longer needed.
Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Deploys
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Michael Starkey, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs
USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Approximately 6,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (Iwo Jima ESG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed Aug. 26-30 for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations.
"While in theater, our strike group will conduct Maritime Security Operations to help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment," said Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima ESG. "Our forces will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response."
The Iwo Jima ESG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
"Our amphibious ships provide a unique capability serving as platforms to support Marine movements and operations ashore," said Smith. "This capability is significantly enhanced by our cruiser and destroyer escorts which provide a very robust, additional set of warfighting capabilities."
San Antonio and Ramage bring new capabilities to the strike group. San Antonio's departure marks the first deployment of a San Antonio class amphibious ship, and its multifunctional design supports technological advances in landing craft, aircraft, and amphibious vehicles. Additionally, Ramage is the first east coast ship certified for AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense.
"The nature of U.S. Navy operations is to deploy forward with the ability to be aggregated for regional security and deterrence, or disaggregated for maritime security effects, providing combatant commanders a wide range of options," said Smith. "Our forces are inherently flexible and ready to respond to emergent tasking around the globe to provide critically needed capabilities."
USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Approximately 6,000 Sailors and Marines from the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (Iwo Jima ESG) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed Aug. 26-30 for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations.
"While in theater, our strike group will conduct Maritime Security Operations to help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment," said Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima ESG. "Our forces will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response."
The Iwo Jima ESG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.
"Our amphibious ships provide a unique capability serving as platforms to support Marine movements and operations ashore," said Smith. "This capability is significantly enhanced by our cruiser and destroyer escorts which provide a very robust, additional set of warfighting capabilities."
San Antonio and Ramage bring new capabilities to the strike group. San Antonio's departure marks the first deployment of a San Antonio class amphibious ship, and its multifunctional design supports technological advances in landing craft, aircraft, and amphibious vehicles. Additionally, Ramage is the first east coast ship certified for AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense.
"The nature of U.S. Navy operations is to deploy forward with the ability to be aggregated for regional security and deterrence, or disaggregated for maritime security effects, providing combatant commanders a wide range of options," said Smith. "Our forces are inherently flexible and ready to respond to emergent tasking around the globe to provide critically needed capabilities."
AMC poised to support post-hurricane operations
by Mark D. Diamond, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command planners and operators held a collective breath as Hurricane Gustav made landfall Sept. 1.
Although most AMC aircraft and personnel were pulled back from the U.S. Gulf Coast area Aug. 31 -- hours before the hurricane's projected landfall -- the command was still fully engage in relief operations, preparing for any airlift or aeromedical evacuation requirements that could come in the aftermath of the giant storm.
According the Col. A. Ray Myers, director of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center's Hurricane Gustav Contingency Response Cell, when evacuation operations ended Aug. 31, 618th TACC planners changed focus to prepare for possible air mobility requirements following the hurricane.
Colonel Myers said more than 50 aircraft and 100 aircrews were placed on alert, ready to immediately assist relief operations.
He said post-hurricane requirements could involve anything from aeromedical evacuation and transport of emergency personnel, to delivering humanitarian aid, such as food, water or equipment.
Command, control and coordination of air mobility support to Hurricane Gustav evacuation efforts was provided by the 618th TACC. The center plans an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day and is able to use that capability to meet requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.
According to 618th TACC officials, TACC planners began gearing up for Hurricane Gustav nearly a week before the hurricane made landfall.
Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, 618th TACC commander, said his air operations center begins to posture mobility forces as soon as a hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States.
The 618th TACC began prepositioning aircraft Aug. 28 as Gustav showed his path toward the southern U.S. Equipment and emergency personnel, such as aeromedical evacuation teams and contingency response group elements were airlifted to several areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
AE teams facilitated movement of special-needs patients - from the critically ill to expectant mothers - and the CRG elements established airfield operations in support of the massive hurricane evacuation.
According to 618th TACC officials, Air Mobility aircraft transported about 725 patients and more than 6,500 general population evacuees.
"What the military brings to any humanitarian operation is adaptive planning and dynamic execution," said Col. Bryan Benson, 618th TACC deputy commander.
He said the men and women of the 618th TACC are expertly prepared to plan and execute any mission, humanitarian or contingency.
"If it looks effortless, it isn't," Colonel Benson said. "The coordination between federal, state, local agencies and the military components requires a great deal of preparation in order to be successful. Those efforts are paying huge dividends today."
Lt. Gen. Vern M. "Rusty" Findley II, AMC vice commander, applauded the efforts of AMC personnel.
From the 618th TACC and AMC Crisis Action Team to the aircrews, aeromedical evacuation teams and contingency response group elements, the general said AMC was fully engaged and delivering outstanding results.
"These folks are the execution arm of this great element of airpower that we call air mobility," he said. "They made the mission happen. It certainly proved again what a true total force effort we can muster in a time of crisis."
The general also applauded AMC's Total Force partners who participated in the effort.
"As always, I'm thankful for the great teamwork from our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard men and women, and our [Air Education and Training Command] partners at Altus and Little Rock," General Findley said.
Although AMC paused AE and airlift operations as Gustav made landfall, the general said the command stands ready to assist in the aftermath of the storm.
"We are poised and ready for any requirements and challenges that will come in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav," General Findley said.
The 618th TACC is no stranger to humanitarian operations.
During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the 618th TACC 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 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, the TACC 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. This included moving Contingency Response Group elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., and the 621st CRW at McGuire AFB, N.J., to the area to establish airfield operations.
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command planners and operators held a collective breath as Hurricane Gustav made landfall Sept. 1.
Although most AMC aircraft and personnel were pulled back from the U.S. Gulf Coast area Aug. 31 -- hours before the hurricane's projected landfall -- the command was still fully engage in relief operations, preparing for any airlift or aeromedical evacuation requirements that could come in the aftermath of the giant storm.
According the Col. A. Ray Myers, director of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center's Hurricane Gustav Contingency Response Cell, when evacuation operations ended Aug. 31, 618th TACC planners changed focus to prepare for possible air mobility requirements following the hurricane.
Colonel Myers said more than 50 aircraft and 100 aircrews were placed on alert, ready to immediately assist relief operations.
He said post-hurricane requirements could involve anything from aeromedical evacuation and transport of emergency personnel, to delivering humanitarian aid, such as food, water or equipment.
Command, control and coordination of air mobility support to Hurricane Gustav evacuation efforts was provided by the 618th TACC. The center plans an average of 900 airlift and air refueling missions each day and is able to use that capability to meet requirements for contingency or humanitarian relief operations.
According to 618th TACC officials, TACC planners began gearing up for Hurricane Gustav nearly a week before the hurricane made landfall.
Maj. Gen. Mark S. Solo, 618th TACC commander, said his air operations center begins to posture mobility forces as soon as a hurricane is identified as having potential to strike the United States.
The 618th TACC began prepositioning aircraft Aug. 28 as Gustav showed his path toward the southern U.S. Equipment and emergency personnel, such as aeromedical evacuation teams and contingency response group elements were airlifted to several areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
AE teams facilitated movement of special-needs patients - from the critically ill to expectant mothers - and the CRG elements established airfield operations in support of the massive hurricane evacuation.
According to 618th TACC officials, Air Mobility aircraft transported about 725 patients and more than 6,500 general population evacuees.
"What the military brings to any humanitarian operation is adaptive planning and dynamic execution," said Col. Bryan Benson, 618th TACC deputy commander.
He said the men and women of the 618th TACC are expertly prepared to plan and execute any mission, humanitarian or contingency.
"If it looks effortless, it isn't," Colonel Benson said. "The coordination between federal, state, local agencies and the military components requires a great deal of preparation in order to be successful. Those efforts are paying huge dividends today."
Lt. Gen. Vern M. "Rusty" Findley II, AMC vice commander, applauded the efforts of AMC personnel.
From the 618th TACC and AMC Crisis Action Team to the aircrews, aeromedical evacuation teams and contingency response group elements, the general said AMC was fully engaged and delivering outstanding results.
"These folks are the execution arm of this great element of airpower that we call air mobility," he said. "They made the mission happen. It certainly proved again what a true total force effort we can muster in a time of crisis."
The general also applauded AMC's Total Force partners who participated in the effort.
"As always, I'm thankful for the great teamwork from our Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard men and women, and our [Air Education and Training Command] partners at Altus and Little Rock," General Findley said.
Although AMC paused AE and airlift operations as Gustav made landfall, the general said the command stands ready to assist in the aftermath of the storm.
"We are poised and ready for any requirements and challenges that will come in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav," General Findley said.
The 618th TACC is no stranger to humanitarian operations.
During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the 618th TACC 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 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, the TACC 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. This included moving Contingency Response Group elements from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., and the 621st CRW at McGuire AFB, N.J., to the area to establish airfield operations.
Canadian forces assist in hurricane evacuation
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Canadian Forces officials deployed three aircraft in support of Air Forces Northern humanitarian efforts during Hurricane Gustav.
A CC-177 Globemaster from Trenton, Ontario, deployed to New Orleans to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and rest homes in the path of the major storm.
Two CC-130 Hercules from Winnipeg, Manitoba, deployed to Pensacola, Fla., to assist with search and rescue operations in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
"We are always willing to help and are happy to do so, the same way the Americans would help us," said Brig. Gen. André Viens, deputy commander of the Continental United States NORAD Region here. "We take great pride in working shoulder-to-shoulder to save lives."
Lt. Col. Stephen Flanagan, an Air Forces North Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, deployed to Lakefront Airport to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and nursing homes.
"The first gusts of wind came in as the last planes were taking off," said Colonel Flanagan, who was on the runway until the airport closed at 7 p.m. Sunday. "If it weren't for (the Canadian aircraft), we would still have had patients on the ground when the first of the heavy winds came in."
Air Forces Northern and U.S. Northern Command officials work closely with those in Canada, an important mission partner, to provide search and rescue assistance, expedited by the recently signed civil assistance plan.
"The Canadians volunteered one of their CC-177s to facilitate the evacuation, which demonstrates a true unity of effort with our international partners," said Colonel Flanagan. "Without their participation, our mission would not have been as successful as it was."
A CC-177 Globemaster from Trenton, Ontario, deployed to New Orleans to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and rest homes in the path of the major storm.
Two CC-130 Hercules from Winnipeg, Manitoba, deployed to Pensacola, Fla., to assist with search and rescue operations in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.
"We are always willing to help and are happy to do so, the same way the Americans would help us," said Brig. Gen. André Viens, deputy commander of the Continental United States NORAD Region here. "We take great pride in working shoulder-to-shoulder to save lives."
Lt. Col. Stephen Flanagan, an Air Forces North Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, deployed to Lakefront Airport to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and nursing homes.
"The first gusts of wind came in as the last planes were taking off," said Colonel Flanagan, who was on the runway until the airport closed at 7 p.m. Sunday. "If it weren't for (the Canadian aircraft), we would still have had patients on the ground when the first of the heavy winds came in."
Air Forces Northern and U.S. Northern Command officials work closely with those in Canada, an important mission partner, to provide search and rescue assistance, expedited by the recently signed civil assistance plan.
"The Canadians volunteered one of their CC-177s to facilitate the evacuation, which demonstrates a true unity of effort with our international partners," said Colonel Flanagan. "Without their participation, our mission would not have been as successful as it was."
Hurricane Hunters support weather study from Guam
by Tech. Sgt. Brian Bahret, 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- Two Air Force Reserve WC-130J Hercules and a Naval Research Lab P-3 Orion deployed here recently to conduct meteorological research on tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific from August through September.
During the project, labeled Tropical Cyclone Structure-2008, aircrews from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., will work with scientists from the U.S. Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
The agencies, both located in Monterey, Calif., are conducting a multi-national study to understand, observe and predict the potential impacts of Pacific tropical cyclones.
"It is part of a nine-nation project under the umbrella of the World Meteorological Organization, which is an arm of the United Nations," said Patrick Harr, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and lead scientist for the program. "The overall goal is to increase predictability associated with all aspects of tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific."
Russell Elsberry, a professor of meteorology at the NPS who is assisting with the study said researchers from Japan, Korea and Taiwan are supporting the endeavor. He added Germany, England, France and the European Union are also assisting because the information learned in the Pacific could be applied to predicting similar events in the Atlantic.
To facilitate the study, scientists enlisted the aid of the 53rd WRS and their WC-130s.
"The WC-130J is an essential component of the observational strategy to study the typhoon life cycle," said Professor Elsberry.
Fifteen 53rd WRS maintainers and 13 flyers are deployed to Andersen to ensure the aircraft are ready to fly 24 hours a day, according to Lt. Col. Roy Deatherage, 53rd WRS mission commander. The seasoned aircrews will monitor the cyclone and eventually fly into the storm's eye wall when it matures, chasing the storm until it transcends into something else entirely.
"Our mission here is to better understand the structure, the formation and what makes a tropical system tick out there in the Pacific," said Colonel Deatherage. "In its infancy, before it is even a tropical depression or hurricane, we'll go out and collect data."
The Hurricane Hunters are conducting their portion of the research using WC-130s fitted with a variety of equipment used for weather research.
"In flight, the aircraft measures 28 parameters including wind speed, direction, temperature -- all of this is sent real time via satellite from the plane to the customer back here [at Andersen]," said the colonel.
He said the equipment and sensors onboard will help provide key data for the research project.
According to the 53rd WRS officials, a critical piece of equipment onboard the aircraft is the dropsonde system. The GPS Dropsonde Windfinding System is a cylindrically-shaped instrument about 16 inches long and 3.5 inches in diameter and weighs approximately 2.5 pounds. The dropsonde is equipped with a high frequency radio and other sensing devices and is released from the aircraft about every 400 miles over water.
The scientists will rely heavily on the data collected by the dropsondes as they fall to the ocean.
"A critical mission of the WC-130 with its dropsonde deployments, and especially the Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer, is to observe the typhoon intensity and wind structure in as many conditions as possible from the formation stage to the extra-tropical transition stage," said Professor Elsberry.
As the instrument descends to the sea surface, it measures and relays to the aircraft a vertical atmospheric profile of the temperature, humidity and barometric pressure and wind data, explained Colonel Deatherage.
Professor Elsberry said the aircrews will actively monitor and report on how tropical cyclones form, intensify and change through their life cycle and the impact they may later have across the North Pacific and potentially North America.
"The measurements will fill a critical gap in the validation of the satellite-based techniques for intensity estimation, which thus far have only been validated in the Atlantic where the WC-130Js of the 53rd WRS regularly fly such missions," said Professor Elsberry. "Since the typhoons typically form from monsoon conditions and have different structures than hurricanes, these WC-130J measurements are extremely important."
From Guam, the information is processed and sent to the operations center at the NPS in Monterey.
"They're the brain trust for all of this. They'll put it into a computer model," said Colonel Deatherage.
The data collected by the WC-130s at Andersen are only one piece of the puzzle; three other research aircraft will measure different aspects of the storm.
"There are four aircraft in total that will be moving about the (Western Pacific) from Andersen (Air Base) to Kadena (AB, Japan) to Atsugi, Yokota and Misawa in Japan to collect data on the storms as they approach Japan," said Professor Elsberry.
A Naval Research Libratory P-3 Orion, also flying from Andersen AB, will collect data using its ELDORA radar which maps the structure of the storm. An Astra business-class jet will fly out of Taiwan and a Falcon business-class jet will fly from the U.S. Naval Air Facility-Atsugi, Japan. Both aircraft are modified with equipment for meteorological studies.
In addition to the aircraft, scientists working from Hawaii will launch high-altitude driftsondes to round out the research. Driftsondes are zero-pressure balloons that go up to 60,000 feet, according to Colonel Deatherage. He said the balloon has a gondola that has small dropsondes the scientists can release remotely by satellite.
"It is really the first research program that plans to observe the entire lifecycle of a tropical cyclone from formation near Guam to transition into the midlatitudes near Japan," said Professor Harr. He said the data collected will be invaluable to helping scientists understand and predict similar events in the Pacific and the Atlantic.
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- Two Air Force Reserve WC-130J Hercules and a Naval Research Lab P-3 Orion deployed here recently to conduct meteorological research on tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific from August through September.
During the project, labeled Tropical Cyclone Structure-2008, aircrews from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., will work with scientists from the U.S. Office of Naval Research and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory.
The agencies, both located in Monterey, Calif., are conducting a multi-national study to understand, observe and predict the potential impacts of Pacific tropical cyclones.
"It is part of a nine-nation project under the umbrella of the World Meteorological Organization, which is an arm of the United Nations," said Patrick Harr, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., and lead scientist for the program. "The overall goal is to increase predictability associated with all aspects of tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific."
Russell Elsberry, a professor of meteorology at the NPS who is assisting with the study said researchers from Japan, Korea and Taiwan are supporting the endeavor. He added Germany, England, France and the European Union are also assisting because the information learned in the Pacific could be applied to predicting similar events in the Atlantic.
To facilitate the study, scientists enlisted the aid of the 53rd WRS and their WC-130s.
"The WC-130J is an essential component of the observational strategy to study the typhoon life cycle," said Professor Elsberry.
Fifteen 53rd WRS maintainers and 13 flyers are deployed to Andersen to ensure the aircraft are ready to fly 24 hours a day, according to Lt. Col. Roy Deatherage, 53rd WRS mission commander. The seasoned aircrews will monitor the cyclone and eventually fly into the storm's eye wall when it matures, chasing the storm until it transcends into something else entirely.
"Our mission here is to better understand the structure, the formation and what makes a tropical system tick out there in the Pacific," said Colonel Deatherage. "In its infancy, before it is even a tropical depression or hurricane, we'll go out and collect data."
The Hurricane Hunters are conducting their portion of the research using WC-130s fitted with a variety of equipment used for weather research.
"In flight, the aircraft measures 28 parameters including wind speed, direction, temperature -- all of this is sent real time via satellite from the plane to the customer back here [at Andersen]," said the colonel.
He said the equipment and sensors onboard will help provide key data for the research project.
According to the 53rd WRS officials, a critical piece of equipment onboard the aircraft is the dropsonde system. The GPS Dropsonde Windfinding System is a cylindrically-shaped instrument about 16 inches long and 3.5 inches in diameter and weighs approximately 2.5 pounds. The dropsonde is equipped with a high frequency radio and other sensing devices and is released from the aircraft about every 400 miles over water.
The scientists will rely heavily on the data collected by the dropsondes as they fall to the ocean.
"A critical mission of the WC-130 with its dropsonde deployments, and especially the Stepped Frequency Microwave Radiometer, is to observe the typhoon intensity and wind structure in as many conditions as possible from the formation stage to the extra-tropical transition stage," said Professor Elsberry.
As the instrument descends to the sea surface, it measures and relays to the aircraft a vertical atmospheric profile of the temperature, humidity and barometric pressure and wind data, explained Colonel Deatherage.
Professor Elsberry said the aircrews will actively monitor and report on how tropical cyclones form, intensify and change through their life cycle and the impact they may later have across the North Pacific and potentially North America.
"The measurements will fill a critical gap in the validation of the satellite-based techniques for intensity estimation, which thus far have only been validated in the Atlantic where the WC-130Js of the 53rd WRS regularly fly such missions," said Professor Elsberry. "Since the typhoons typically form from monsoon conditions and have different structures than hurricanes, these WC-130J measurements are extremely important."
From Guam, the information is processed and sent to the operations center at the NPS in Monterey.
"They're the brain trust for all of this. They'll put it into a computer model," said Colonel Deatherage.
The data collected by the WC-130s at Andersen are only one piece of the puzzle; three other research aircraft will measure different aspects of the storm.
"There are four aircraft in total that will be moving about the (Western Pacific) from Andersen (Air Base) to Kadena (AB, Japan) to Atsugi, Yokota and Misawa in Japan to collect data on the storms as they approach Japan," said Professor Elsberry.
A Naval Research Libratory P-3 Orion, also flying from Andersen AB, will collect data using its ELDORA radar which maps the structure of the storm. An Astra business-class jet will fly out of Taiwan and a Falcon business-class jet will fly from the U.S. Naval Air Facility-Atsugi, Japan. Both aircraft are modified with equipment for meteorological studies.
In addition to the aircraft, scientists working from Hawaii will launch high-altitude driftsondes to round out the research. Driftsondes are zero-pressure balloons that go up to 60,000 feet, according to Colonel Deatherage. He said the balloon has a gondola that has small dropsondes the scientists can release remotely by satellite.
"It is really the first research program that plans to observe the entire lifecycle of a tropical cyclone from formation near Guam to transition into the midlatitudes near Japan," said Professor Harr. He said the data collected will be invaluable to helping scientists understand and predict similar events in the Pacific and the Atlantic.
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."
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
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.
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
"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
Monday, September 01, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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