Alaska Hurricane Response
Grows
Aircraft and airmen sent to
assist with transportation, relief and recovery
September 09, 2005
Friday
Additional Alaska Air National
Guard members are on their way to assist relief efforts in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina. A C-130 Hercules and crew of seven
from the 144th Airlift Squadron left Kulis Air National Guard
Base today. Yesterday, a chaplain and chaplain assistant from
the 176th Wing at Kulis were sent to Alexandria, LA.
"Their mission is to mitigate
post-traumatic stress disorder or any other long term psychological
damage to rescue workers," said Capt. Gilbert Campbell,
chaplain with the Alaska National Guard.
These deployments bring the
total number to 22 of Alaska Guard members deployed to Hurricane
Katrina relief and recovery efforts.
"I am proud that Alaska
has been able to send additional help to the region so impacted
by this devastating event," said Governor Frank H. Murkowski.
"I am thankful for the members of Alaska's Air Guard who
are responding with professionalism and compassion."
The C-130 Hercules left for
Fresno, Calif., to pick up California National Guard firefighters
and a fire truck. The crew is then scheduled to travel to Columbus,
MS. this evening with missions planned to provide airlift of
supplies, equipment and personnel. Some of their duties will
take them into Alabama and New Orleans Friday.
Summary of all tasking:
- Sept. 2: Five para-rescuemen
from the Air National Guard's 212th Rescue Squadron deployed
to New Orleans to provide search and rescue support.
- Sept. 3: Maj. Mike Haller,
chief of public affairs for the Alaska National Guard, was sent
to Baton Rouge to assist with public affairs/media relations.
- Sept. 4: A C-130 Hercules
and seven crewmembers from the 144th Airlift Squadron, along
with a maintenance technician from the 176th Maintenance Squadron,
left for New Orleans. As part of the mission, the crew stopped
in Oregon to take Oregon Guard members and equipment to the relief
efforts. The C-130 and crew are now helping with airlift support
of passengers and cargo.
- Sept. 7: A chaplain and a
chaplain assistant from the 176th Wing deployed to Alexandria,
LA., to help victims of the hurricane deal with stress.
- Sept. 8: C-130 Hercules and
a crew of seven departed for Columbus, MS.
Source of News:
Office of the Governor
http://www.gov.state.ak.us
E-mail your news &
photos to editor@sitnews.us
Publish A Letter on SitNews Read Letters/Opinions
Submit
A Letter to the Editor
SitNews
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska
|