thedrifter
10-01-05, 07:32 AM
Rita could add Fort Worth Marines' efforts without subtracting from Katrina relief
by Gunnery Sgt. Rusty Baker
Marine Aircraft Group 41
NAVAL AIR STATION-JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- While Hurricane Rita continues to elude experts on her exact landfall position in the Texas Gulf Coast region the Leathernecks of Fort Worth, Texas based Marine Aircraft Group 41 continue a high-paced contingency of aviation assets to support the Katrina-battered regions of Louisiana and Mississippi.
It is the first time in 90 years that two category-four hurricanes have hit the United States by means of the Gulf of Mexico. Rita's potential devastation may add to MAG-41's overall footprint in supporting the total hurricane relief effort, but should have little to no influence with ongoing operations in support of Marine Forces Katrina, according to VMGR-234 flight officer, Chief Warrant Officer Larry Ross.
Hurricane Katrina had nation-wide ramifications on Reserve Marines when New Orleans based personnel of Marine Forces Reserve and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing were ordered to evacuate their operational sections, unite with their families and seek shelter in pre-appointed areas including Atlanta, Kansas City, Mo. and MAG-41's home base of Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
The hurricane's initial punch and subsequent flooding left MFR and 4th MAW buildings deserted, without power or potable water, and caused a temporary chain reaction on electronic communications throughout the Reserve community. Before Marine Forces Katrina's task force aviation element (mostly comprised of Atlanta, Ga. based MAG-42) could be fully successful in providing support with airborne search and rescue evacuations of stranded Saint Bernard Parish residents, a aviation ground support element had to be created to quickly bring crucial military installations back online.
A detachment of Mt. Clemens, Mich. Marine Wing Support Group 47 was assembled in the abandoned hangars and buildings of NAS-JRB Belle Chase. Task Force Aviation requested the support of MAG-41 aviation units Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 to ferry supplies in and out the base while Marine Wing Support Squadron 473 (Detachment Bravo) was tasked to deploy to the region and get drinkable water and power back online. Many of the Marines who volunteered for the missions were Reserve Marines of the local Dallas/Fort Worth community.
In the ensuing weeks of since Katrina's devastation, over 110 sorties of VMGR-234's KC-130T Hercules have shuttled nearly 1,000 military personnel and 700,000 pounds of gear, ranging from water to forklifts, in and out of the battered region using local New Orleans site NAS-JRB Belle Chase, as a base of operations, according to Chief Warrant Officer Ross. These statistics were compiled on Sept. 18, however daily flights continue the 420 nautical-mile trek showing no signs of drawing down. Other crucial VMGR-234 drop-off and pick-up destinations in the hurricane's wake are Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. and Stennis International Airport/NASA Stennis Space Center, Miss.
Of VMGR-234's passengers and equipment coming in the region was a small group of volunteers from MWSS-473 (Det. B). The team, consisting of electricians, generator operators, hygiene (water) equipment operators, bulk fuelers, and heavy equipment operators, became a major factor in the push to put NAS-JRB Belle Chase back into an operational status. Along with MWSS-471, '472, and West Coast-based sister detachments of '473, the group of 21 Marines supplied the task force's aviation element with generated electricity, drinkable water and set up a refueling point to dispense aviation fuel crucial for helicopter search and rescue operations.
A small team of MWSS-473 (Det. B) non-commissioned officers were convoyed to a remote location in Saint Bernard Parish with a reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU) that converted dangerously contaminated floodwaters into drinkable water for ground elements conducting searches in the operating area. This non-stop process yielded over 100,000 gallons of fresh water for hydration, showering, laundry and decontamination for search parties that spent countless hours trekking through flooded streets looking for survivors.
"We were constantly bringing in more gear as the mission evolved and VMGR-234 helped us to get it there," said Maj. Mike Harris, MWSG-47, Detachment Operations Officer.
Later equipment included shower units, food service/kitchen units, vehicles and forklifts for NAS-JRB Belle Chase's relief personnel. Most of the equipment will stay in place until it is no longer needed, according to Harris. Five MWSS-473 (Det. B) Marines will remain on station to continue to support day-to-day operations. They are scheduled to return within the end of the month.
Austin, Texas based Fort Sam Houston's 5th US Army has been tasked by US Northern Command to assume the duties leading Joint Task Force-Rita to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency if Hurricane Rita strikes the Texas coast, according to 5th US Army Public Affairs Supervisor Master Sgt. C. S. Allbright.
Although no official word has been given for any of MAG-41's aviation units to support JTF-Rita, VMGR-234's operations and maintenance departments are on standby in anticipation of any further assignments, according to Lt. Col. Eric Walker, Operations Officer and pilot of VMGR-234. A Reserve Marine who flies for Delta Airlines, Walker was one of many pilots who volunteered for a two-week assignment to assist in relief efforts; his consisting of eight sorties to New Orleans.
Ellie
by Gunnery Sgt. Rusty Baker
Marine Aircraft Group 41
NAVAL AIR STATION-JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- While Hurricane Rita continues to elude experts on her exact landfall position in the Texas Gulf Coast region the Leathernecks of Fort Worth, Texas based Marine Aircraft Group 41 continue a high-paced contingency of aviation assets to support the Katrina-battered regions of Louisiana and Mississippi.
It is the first time in 90 years that two category-four hurricanes have hit the United States by means of the Gulf of Mexico. Rita's potential devastation may add to MAG-41's overall footprint in supporting the total hurricane relief effort, but should have little to no influence with ongoing operations in support of Marine Forces Katrina, according to VMGR-234 flight officer, Chief Warrant Officer Larry Ross.
Hurricane Katrina had nation-wide ramifications on Reserve Marines when New Orleans based personnel of Marine Forces Reserve and 4th Marine Aircraft Wing were ordered to evacuate their operational sections, unite with their families and seek shelter in pre-appointed areas including Atlanta, Kansas City, Mo. and MAG-41's home base of Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas.
The hurricane's initial punch and subsequent flooding left MFR and 4th MAW buildings deserted, without power or potable water, and caused a temporary chain reaction on electronic communications throughout the Reserve community. Before Marine Forces Katrina's task force aviation element (mostly comprised of Atlanta, Ga. based MAG-42) could be fully successful in providing support with airborne search and rescue evacuations of stranded Saint Bernard Parish residents, a aviation ground support element had to be created to quickly bring crucial military installations back online.
A detachment of Mt. Clemens, Mich. Marine Wing Support Group 47 was assembled in the abandoned hangars and buildings of NAS-JRB Belle Chase. Task Force Aviation requested the support of MAG-41 aviation units Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 to ferry supplies in and out the base while Marine Wing Support Squadron 473 (Detachment Bravo) was tasked to deploy to the region and get drinkable water and power back online. Many of the Marines who volunteered for the missions were Reserve Marines of the local Dallas/Fort Worth community.
In the ensuing weeks of since Katrina's devastation, over 110 sorties of VMGR-234's KC-130T Hercules have shuttled nearly 1,000 military personnel and 700,000 pounds of gear, ranging from water to forklifts, in and out of the battered region using local New Orleans site NAS-JRB Belle Chase, as a base of operations, according to Chief Warrant Officer Ross. These statistics were compiled on Sept. 18, however daily flights continue the 420 nautical-mile trek showing no signs of drawing down. Other crucial VMGR-234 drop-off and pick-up destinations in the hurricane's wake are Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. and Stennis International Airport/NASA Stennis Space Center, Miss.
Of VMGR-234's passengers and equipment coming in the region was a small group of volunteers from MWSS-473 (Det. B). The team, consisting of electricians, generator operators, hygiene (water) equipment operators, bulk fuelers, and heavy equipment operators, became a major factor in the push to put NAS-JRB Belle Chase back into an operational status. Along with MWSS-471, '472, and West Coast-based sister detachments of '473, the group of 21 Marines supplied the task force's aviation element with generated electricity, drinkable water and set up a refueling point to dispense aviation fuel crucial for helicopter search and rescue operations.
A small team of MWSS-473 (Det. B) non-commissioned officers were convoyed to a remote location in Saint Bernard Parish with a reverse osmosis water purification unit (ROWPU) that converted dangerously contaminated floodwaters into drinkable water for ground elements conducting searches in the operating area. This non-stop process yielded over 100,000 gallons of fresh water for hydration, showering, laundry and decontamination for search parties that spent countless hours trekking through flooded streets looking for survivors.
"We were constantly bringing in more gear as the mission evolved and VMGR-234 helped us to get it there," said Maj. Mike Harris, MWSG-47, Detachment Operations Officer.
Later equipment included shower units, food service/kitchen units, vehicles and forklifts for NAS-JRB Belle Chase's relief personnel. Most of the equipment will stay in place until it is no longer needed, according to Harris. Five MWSS-473 (Det. B) Marines will remain on station to continue to support day-to-day operations. They are scheduled to return within the end of the month.
Austin, Texas based Fort Sam Houston's 5th US Army has been tasked by US Northern Command to assume the duties leading Joint Task Force-Rita to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency if Hurricane Rita strikes the Texas coast, according to 5th US Army Public Affairs Supervisor Master Sgt. C. S. Allbright.
Although no official word has been given for any of MAG-41's aviation units to support JTF-Rita, VMGR-234's operations and maintenance departments are on standby in anticipation of any further assignments, according to Lt. Col. Eric Walker, Operations Officer and pilot of VMGR-234. A Reserve Marine who flies for Delta Airlines, Walker was one of many pilots who volunteered for a two-week assignment to assist in relief efforts; his consisting of eight sorties to New Orleans.
Ellie