thedrifter
09-17-05, 07:08 AM
Marines work tirelessly to aid Katrina victims
MCAS Miramar
Story by - Miramar CPAO
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. (Sep. 16, 2005) -- In the midst of rugged deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror, and even as the nation paused in tribute to those lost in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Marines and Sailors from across the country continue to work tirelessly in the massive relief effort in New Orleans.
As America’s premier force in readiness, Marines and Sailors from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune; Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.; 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, Calif.; and various other personnel from units like the 4th Marine Division have brought their equipment, expertise, and most importantly their wills to do whatever they can for their fellow Americans to the epicenter of Katrina’s destruction.
Although initial damage from the actual hurricane was less than anticipated, the relentless rain and powerful wind from the storm caused several of the city’s levies to break, sending a tidal wave of water into many parts of the surrounding area, completely submerging cars and houses and destroying many buildings, bridges, power lines and other structures.
Marines used canoes pulled from trees and planks of wood for paddles to navigate the submerged city, much of which was not traversable by foot. But the canoes provided only limited rescue and support capabilities.
Enter the Marine Corps assault amphibian vehicle. “We provide a unique capability to ongoing search and rescue efforts,” said Maj. Henry June Jr., inspector instructor for Company B, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, a reserve unit based out of Jacksonville, Fla. “It’s very difficult for wheeled vehicles to get to the parts of the city we have been searching. We are the only tracked vehicle that can float, and that allows us to maneuver to hard-to-reach areas and disembark infantry to search.”
Because the hurricane left many stranded in difficult-to-reach locales without basic essentials like food and water, aerial lift assets like Marine helicopters and KC-130 transport aircraft have been critical.
In one of many unpublicized acts of heroism, a crew of “Blue Knights” from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, became knights in shining armor when they rescued a group of New Orleans residents, including a one-year-old child, from a downtown building that had been surrounded by the floodwaters.
Sergeant R. Jason Dagenhart, avionics technician and rescue swimmer, HMM-365, recounted his actions after seeing a man in the chaos below making the “international baby symbol” by rocking his cradled hands back and forth.
“We tried to land, but there was too much debris,” he said. “So I went down on the hoist while the helicopter hovered at about 75 feet off the ground. I went inside, found the mother and father and their baby, and then had to come up with a game plan to get them all out.”
After rigging a parachute bag to the aircraft’s motorized hoist, Dagenhart lifted each of the stranded residents away in turn.
Equally, much needed supplies continue to be flown in regularly to staging areas amid the disaster. The operation’s first day saw Marines deliver some 80,000 pounds of food, water, ice and other humanitarian-assistance supplies. After a full week of Marine operations in the area, that figure stood at more than 650,000 pounds.
The 11th MEU had the unique opportunity to witness the caring and generosity of foreign military units as they were aided in their efforts in D’Iblerville, Miss., by sailors from the Dutch Navy and Mexican Marine Corps.
The Dutch sailors were en route back to Holland after completing operations in Aruba. On their way home, the 187 sailors made a stop on the Gulf Coast to aid the relief effort.
“We were in the neighborhood and were asked by the U.S. if we could help,” said Dutch Navy Lt. W. Lublink, head of the Dutch Navy relief operations. “I was glad that America asked us to help.”
The relief effort marks the first time in more than a century that the Mexican military has set foot into the United States, and the second time in history it has crossed its border to assist another nation during a natural disaster, said Mexican Marine Lt. Ruben Oyarvide Pedrero, head of Mexican Marines’ Katrina relief operations. The last time was during the Indonesian tsunami in 2004.
“When the tsunami hit last year, we aided by handing out food and water. Here, we are physically working and helping to rebuild things that have been destroyed,” said Pedrero. “We train for these particular missions back in Mexico. We are always prepared to assist those in need of help.”
While focusing on the rescue mission as long as necessary, Marines have begun to expand their relief efforts, cleaning and rebuilding the infrastructure of the stricken areas.
Though shaken by the hurricane’s devastation, the determination of Marines like Col. John Shook, commander of the Marine task force operating in St. Bernard Parish remains indomitable. Of all those who need aid, “They will be treated as if they were family,” he said. “Because in a sense they are. They’re fellow Americans.”
Ellie
MCAS Miramar
Story by - Miramar CPAO
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. (Sep. 16, 2005) -- In the midst of rugged deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror, and even as the nation paused in tribute to those lost in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Marines and Sailors from across the country continue to work tirelessly in the massive relief effort in New Orleans.
As America’s premier force in readiness, Marines and Sailors from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune; Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.; 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, Calif.; and various other personnel from units like the 4th Marine Division have brought their equipment, expertise, and most importantly their wills to do whatever they can for their fellow Americans to the epicenter of Katrina’s destruction.
Although initial damage from the actual hurricane was less than anticipated, the relentless rain and powerful wind from the storm caused several of the city’s levies to break, sending a tidal wave of water into many parts of the surrounding area, completely submerging cars and houses and destroying many buildings, bridges, power lines and other structures.
Marines used canoes pulled from trees and planks of wood for paddles to navigate the submerged city, much of which was not traversable by foot. But the canoes provided only limited rescue and support capabilities.
Enter the Marine Corps assault amphibian vehicle. “We provide a unique capability to ongoing search and rescue efforts,” said Maj. Henry June Jr., inspector instructor for Company B, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, a reserve unit based out of Jacksonville, Fla. “It’s very difficult for wheeled vehicles to get to the parts of the city we have been searching. We are the only tracked vehicle that can float, and that allows us to maneuver to hard-to-reach areas and disembark infantry to search.”
Because the hurricane left many stranded in difficult-to-reach locales without basic essentials like food and water, aerial lift assets like Marine helicopters and KC-130 transport aircraft have been critical.
In one of many unpublicized acts of heroism, a crew of “Blue Knights” from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, became knights in shining armor when they rescued a group of New Orleans residents, including a one-year-old child, from a downtown building that had been surrounded by the floodwaters.
Sergeant R. Jason Dagenhart, avionics technician and rescue swimmer, HMM-365, recounted his actions after seeing a man in the chaos below making the “international baby symbol” by rocking his cradled hands back and forth.
“We tried to land, but there was too much debris,” he said. “So I went down on the hoist while the helicopter hovered at about 75 feet off the ground. I went inside, found the mother and father and their baby, and then had to come up with a game plan to get them all out.”
After rigging a parachute bag to the aircraft’s motorized hoist, Dagenhart lifted each of the stranded residents away in turn.
Equally, much needed supplies continue to be flown in regularly to staging areas amid the disaster. The operation’s first day saw Marines deliver some 80,000 pounds of food, water, ice and other humanitarian-assistance supplies. After a full week of Marine operations in the area, that figure stood at more than 650,000 pounds.
The 11th MEU had the unique opportunity to witness the caring and generosity of foreign military units as they were aided in their efforts in D’Iblerville, Miss., by sailors from the Dutch Navy and Mexican Marine Corps.
The Dutch sailors were en route back to Holland after completing operations in Aruba. On their way home, the 187 sailors made a stop on the Gulf Coast to aid the relief effort.
“We were in the neighborhood and were asked by the U.S. if we could help,” said Dutch Navy Lt. W. Lublink, head of the Dutch Navy relief operations. “I was glad that America asked us to help.”
The relief effort marks the first time in more than a century that the Mexican military has set foot into the United States, and the second time in history it has crossed its border to assist another nation during a natural disaster, said Mexican Marine Lt. Ruben Oyarvide Pedrero, head of Mexican Marines’ Katrina relief operations. The last time was during the Indonesian tsunami in 2004.
“When the tsunami hit last year, we aided by handing out food and water. Here, we are physically working and helping to rebuild things that have been destroyed,” said Pedrero. “We train for these particular missions back in Mexico. We are always prepared to assist those in need of help.”
While focusing on the rescue mission as long as necessary, Marines have begun to expand their relief efforts, cleaning and rebuilding the infrastructure of the stricken areas.
Though shaken by the hurricane’s devastation, the determination of Marines like Col. John Shook, commander of the Marine task force operating in St. Bernard Parish remains indomitable. Of all those who need aid, “They will be treated as if they were family,” he said. “Because in a sense they are. They’re fellow Americans.”
Ellie