Ill Winds: Air Force Reserve's Response to Hurricanes

Ill Winds: 

Air Force Reserve’s 

response to 

Hurricanes 

Katrina, Ophelia, Rita and Wilma 

August – November 2005

Air Force Reserve’s 

2005 Hurricane Operations Timeline 

23 Aug 05 The 53 rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s (WRS) (Keesler AFB, MS) 

WC-130 (Hurricane Hunter) aircraft made its initial entry into the storm to 

gather weather data as Hurricane Katrina neared the Florida coast. 1 

25 Aug 05 Katrina made landfall just south of Fort Lauderdale along the southeast 

Florida coast as a Category 1 hurricane. Winds at landfall north of Miami 

were 80 mph. Katrina was blamed for 9 deaths in Florida. After coming 

ashore, Katrina cut southwestward across southern Florida. The relatively 

short amount of time the center spent over land combined with the wet 

marshy composition of the Florida everglades kept Katrina from 

weakening significantly. As a result, Katrina quickly regained hurricane 

status after emerging into the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a Category 1 

storm on the morning of August 26. 2 

25 Aug 05 The 53 rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron’s (WRS) performed an 

additional sortie into the Hurricane as Katrina gathered strength and 

pushed westward into the Gulf. The aircraft originated out of Key West, 

FL, and reconstituted back to Keesler AFB, MS. 3 

1 Email (U), 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) Public Affairs (TSgt James Pritchett) to HQ AFRC (Robins 

AFB, GA) History Office (Eugene Vandeventer), “Additional Assistance,” 1 Dec 05. 

2 Web page (U), NASA, “Katrina Intensifies into a Powerful Hurricane, Strikes Northern Gulf Coast,” 

available at http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/katrina_trmm_0828_0829.html on 28 Oct 05; 

Web page (U), NOAA Satellite Information Service, “Summary of Hurricane Katrina,” available at 

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/katrina.html on 28 Oct 05. 


AFB, GA) History Office (Eugene Vandeventer), “Additional Assistance,” 1 Dec 05.

This image was taken at 11:24 p.m. EDT 27 August just before Katrina became a Category 4 

hurricane in the central Gulf of Mexico. At the time of the photograph, Katrina was a Category 3 

storm with maximum sustained winds reported at 100 knots (115 mph). (NASA) 

27 Aug 05 The 926 th Fighter Wing (FW) evacuated Joint Reserve Base (JRB) New 

Orleans, sending 11 aircraft to Barksdale AFB, LA, and placing 4 in 

hangers. 4 

27-28 Aug Weather reconnaissance aircraft entered the Hurricane departing from 

05 Keesler AFB, MS and reconstituted at their secondary location of 

Ellington Field, TX, as the 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) began 

evacuating aircraft to other states in preparation of the upcoming 

Hurricane. 5 

4 Bfg (U), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 1 Sep 05. 


AFB, GA) History Office (Eugene Vandeventer), “Additional Assistance,” 1 Dec 05. 

2

This image was taken at 9:29 p.m. CDT August 28, when Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane with 

maximum sustained winds of 140 knots (161 mph). (NASA) 

29 Aug 05 The 22 nd Air Force Crisis Action Team (22AF/CAT) was compiling a list 

of 22AF units (manpower, aircraft and equipment) that would be available 

for Hurricane Katrina relief. 6 

29 Aug 05 The Air Force Reserve Command’s (AFRC) Hurricane Hunters, the 53 rd 

Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS), Keesler AFB, MS, had flown 

Lockheed-Martin WC-130 aircraft into Hurricane Katrina’s center eye this 

day and as mentioned on several prior occasions before the storm made 

landfall. The squadron remained the only Department of Defense 

organization that flew research flights into tropical storms and hurricanes. 7 

29 Aug 05 At 6:10 a.m. Hurricane Katrina made landfall south of Buras, LA, as a 

strong Category 3 hurricane. The eye crossed the coastline again along 

6 SITREP (S/Reason: 1.5(A), DECL: 31 Aug 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, “SITREP: OPER/NOBLE 

EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2023/30 Aug 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIEFD per 22AF/CP 

Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “CAT Tasker 5373,” 29 Dec 05. 

7 Art (U), “Air Force Reserve Flies Missions to Storm-Ravaged Areas,” AFRC News Release 05115, 31 

Aug 05, available at http://www.afrc.af.mil/afrcnews/05115.asp on 28 Sep 05. 

3

the Mississippi-Louisiana border at 10:00 a.m. CDT. 8 Hurricane Katrina 

was one of the strongest storms to impact the coast of the United States 

during the last 100 years. It had sustained winds during landfall of 125 

mph (making it a strong Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale) 

and a minimum central pressure at landfall of 920 millibars (mb), the third 

lowest on record. 9 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency’s 

(NOAA) National Hurricane Center judged that Katrina would “likely be 

recorded as the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.” 10 

Keesler AFB facilities suffered extensive damage during a direct hit by Hurricane Katrina (USAF 

photo) 11 

29 Aug 05 Heavy rains and wind slammed the 403 rd Wing, Keesler AFB, MS, and 

flooding swamped the 926th Fighter Wing (FW) at Naval Air Station 

(NAS) Joint Reserve Base (JRB) New Orleans, LA. 12 

29 Aug 05 New Orleans land-line communications were projected to be intermittent 

or unavailable until further notice. 13 

29 Aug - Twenty-eight volunteers from the 452nd Airlift Control Flight 

1 Sep 05 (ALCF), March AFB, CA, were part of the Tactical Airlift Control 

Element (TALCE) that prepped and loaded three C-5 aircraft with FEMA 

equipment to deploy to New Orleans. 14 

8 Web page (U), National Hurricane Center, “Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Katrina, 23-30 Aug 05,” 

available at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf, 20 Dec 05. 

9 Web page (U), NOAA Satellite Information Service, “Summary of Hurricane Katrina,” available at 

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/katrina.html on 29 Dec 05. 

10 Report (U), National Hurricane Center, “Monthly Tropical Weather Summary,” 1 Sep 05, available at 

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_aug.shtml? on 8 Nov 05. 

11 Photo (U), “Hurricane Katrina Hits Keesler AFB,” nd, available at 

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123011495 on 11 Nov 05. 

12 Art (U), “Air Force Reserve Flies Missions to Storm-Ravaged Areas, “AFRC News Release 05115, 31 

Aug 05, available at http://www.afrc.af.mil/afrcnews/05115.asp on 28 Sep 05. 

13 SITREP (S/Reason: 1.5(A), DECL: 31 Aug 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, “SITREP: Oper/NOBLE 

EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2023/30 Aug 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED. 

4

30 Aug - Air Force Reserve operations personnel from Georgia and 

12 Oct 05 Texas were involved from the first day in Hurricane Katrina relief. Fortyone 

volunteers from aerial port squadrons at Dobbins ARB, GA, and 

Carswell ARS, TX, assisted in carrying litters and evacuees from arriving 

aircraft to the hangar for required treatment. They also palletized cargo to 

be shipped back to Keesler to aid victims of Katrina. 15 

30 Aug 05 Headquarters AFRC CAT stood up/activated at 0948 Local (L). 16 

30 Aug 05 Air Mobility Command’s Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC/XOBN) 

requested AFRC aeromedical evacuation (AE) crews at 2000 (L) in 

anticipation of large patient movement. AFRC aeromedical evacuation 

leadership began coordination and soliciting of volunteers at 2000L to 

support anticipated patient movement of 500-2000 from New Orleans and 

surrounding areas. 17 

30 Aug 05 Status of AFRC Units: 

920th Rescue Wing (RWQ) – Patrick AFB, FL: 2 HC-130 and 4 HH- 

60s ready to deploy 

433 rd Airlift Wing (AW) – Lackland AFB, TX: 1 crew Charlie alert for 

48 hours 

439 th Airlift Wing (AW) – Westover AFB, MA: 3 crews and 3 C-5s 

Bravo alert for 48 hours 

910 th Airlift Wing (AW) – Youngstown Municipal Airport, OH: 2 

crews and 2 C-130s available 31 Aug 

403 rd Wing (WG) – Keesler AFB, MS: 1 crew and C-130J operating as 

Reserve Airlift Support (RAS) 

445 th Airlift Wing (AW) – Wright-Patterson AFB, OH: 1 C-141 and 

crew ready 31 Aug 

94 th Airlift Wing (AW) – Dobbins ARB, GA: 2 C-130s and 

crews available 

440 th Airlift Wing (AW) – General Mitchell International Airport 

(IAP) Air Reserve Station (ARS), WI: 4 C-130s and crews available 

908 th Airlift Wing (AW) – Maxwell AFB, AL: 2 C-130s and 

crews available 

911 th Airlift Wing (AW) – Pittsburgh IAP ARS, PA: 2 

C-130s and crews available. 18 

14 

Summary (U), HQ AFRC/DO, “Katrina Mission Support Summary by AFRC Directorate,” n. d. 

15 

Summary (U), HQ AFRC/DO, “Katrina Mission Support Summary by AFRC Directorate,” n. d. 

16 

Interview (U), Lt. Col. Thomas Church, AFRC CAT, interview by Eugene Vandeventer, AFRC/HO, HQ 

AFRC, 22 Nov 05. 

17 

Timeline (U), HQ AFRC/DOOE, “Hurricane Katrina Comprehensive Timeline,” as of 4 Oct 05. 

18 

Timeline (U), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Comprehensive Timeline,” as of 30 Sep 05. 

5

Senior Airman Jonathan R. Ash and Technical Sergeant Ava M. Swedock, 337 th Airlift Squadron 

loadmasters, help a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) worker drive an emergency 

vehicle off a C-5 Galaxy at Lafayette Regional Airport, LA, on 31 August 2005. C-5s from Air Force 

Reserve Command’s 439 th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, MA, airlifted FEMA teams 

from California to Louisiana as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. (USAF photo by Technical 

Sergeant Andrew Biscoe) 19 

19 Photo and caption (U), TSgt Andrew Biscoe, “Emergency Off-load,” USAF photo, 31 Aug 05, available 

at http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&page=2. on 8 Nov 05. 

6

31 Aug 05 The loss of life and property damage associated with Hurricane Katrina 

was worsened by breaks in the levees that separated New Orleans from 

surrounding lakes. At least 80 percent of New Orleans was flooded on 

August 31st, largely as a result of levee failures from Lake Pontchartrain. 

The combination of strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surge were 

believed to be responsible for breaks in the earthen levee after the storm 

passed, leaving some parts of New Orleans under 20 feet of water. 20 A 

storm surge from Mobile Bay led to the inundation of Mobile, AL, causing 

imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew for the city. Large portions of Biloxi 

and Gulfport, MS, were underwater as a result of a 20 to 30+ foot storm 

surge that flooded the cities. 21 

31 Aug 05 Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command Aeromedical Evacuation 

Branch (HQ AFRC/DOOE) had identified 26 additional crews at 0800L 

readily available for aeromedical evacuation missions from the following 

organizations: 94 th (Dobbins ARB, GA); 315 th (Charleston AFB, SC); 

349 th (Travis AFB, CA); 433 rd (Lackland AFB, TX); 439 th (Westover 

ARB, MA); 514 th (McGuire AFB, NJ); 622 nd (MacDill AFB, FL); 714 th 

(McGuire AFB, NJ); 908 th (Maxwell AFB, AL); 911 th (Pittsburgh IAP 

ARS, PA); 914 th (Niagara IAP ARS, NY); 932 nd (Scott AFB, IL); and the 

934 th (Minneapolis-St Paul IAP ARS, MN.) 22 

20 A pool of water formed in the lawn of a house adjacent to the 17 th Street Canal in New Orleans. The 

pool, which had reached a size of 75 feet by 10 feet in December 2004, was identified by a New Orleans 

Sewerage and Water Board worker as coming from the levee. Art (U), Frank Langfitt, “Residents Say 

Levee Leaked Months Before Katrina,” available at 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5022074 on 28 Nov 04. 

21 Web page (U), NOAA Satellite Information Service, “Summary of Hurricane Katrina,” available at 

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/katrina.html on 28 Oct 05. 

22 Timeline (U), HQ AFRC/DOOE, “Hurricane Katrina Comprehensive Timeline,” as of 4 Oct 05. 

7

Technical Sergeant Keith Berry looks down into flooded streets searching for survivors. He is part of 

an Air Force Reserve team credited with saving more than 1,040 people in the aftermath of 

Hurricane Katrina. He is a pararescueman (PJ) with the 304th Rescue Squadron from Portland IAP 

ARS, OR. (USAF photo by Master Sergeant Bill Huntington) 23 

31 Aug 05 At 2300L Air Mobility Command’s Tanker Airlift Control Center 

(TACC/XOPA) requested ground aeromedical evacuation teams 

consisting of Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facilities, 15 personnel; 

Aeromedical Evacuation Command and Control Packages, 5 personnel; 

and Mobile Aeromedical Evacuation Staging Facility Augmention pkg, 11 

personnel for Louis Armstrong International Airport (LAIAP). The 

tasking also included a Crew Management Cell consisting of 6 personnel 

for staging at Lackland AFB, TX, at 2300L. 

31 Aug 05 The 920 th RQW deployed 3 HH-60s to Jackson, MS, flying multiple 

FEMA missions until 0500. Forty-nine personnel deployed to Jackson, 

MS. 24 

31 Aug 05 The 939 th Air Rescue Wing (ARW) transported PJs and HH-60 crews 

from Portland, OR, and Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, to Jackson, MS. 

31 Aug 05 The 439 th AW flew two C-5 shuttle missions from March ARB, CA, to 

Lafayette, LA, Regional Airport transporting 8 Swift Water Rescue 

teams. 25 

23 Photo and caption (U), MSgt Bill Huntington, “A PJ’s Night in New Orleans,” USAF photo, n. a., 

available at http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&page=5 on 8 Nov 05. 



8

Gulfport, MS, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (NOAA) 

31 Aug 05 The 908 th AW flight crew and an aeromedical evacuation crew transported 

30 residents/patients from Gulf Port AF Village to Andrews AFB, MD. 

Thirty residents remained at Maxwell to be transported on 1 Sep 05. 26 

31 Aug 05 A deployed C-130J from the 403 rd WG, Keesler AFB, MS, picked up and 

delivered vital hospital equipment back to Keesler AFB, MS. 

31 Aug 05 Patrick AFB, FL, 920 th rescue helicopters and PJs were already in play at 

Jackson ANGB, MS, and three more were available. Two HC-130 

aircraft, one at Jackson and one in the Florida panhandle, were also in 

use. 27 


27 Notes (U), Jerry White, AFRC/HO, “HQ AFRC CAT Meeting,” 31 Aug 05. 

9

31 Aug 05 Two aeromedical evacuation crews from the 433 rd Aeromedical 

Evacuation Squadron (AES), Lackland AFB, TX, flew aboard an active 

duty C-17 in support of relief missions. Total of 32 aeromedical 

evacuation crews were then in Bravo status. 28 

31 Aug 05 932 nd AES (Scott AFB, IL) crews flew an aeromedical evacuation mission 

to LAIAP, LA. 29 

31 Aug 05 433 rd AES (Lackland AFB, TX) stood up a 3-member Crew Management 

Cell at Lackland AFB, TX, for aeromedical evacuation staging 

operations. 30 

Master Sergeant Julianna Simmons discusses crew arrangements with Staff Sergeant James Chaney 

as Captain Jameson Durham talks on the phone. All three reservists worked with others to 

coordinate aeromedical evacuation missions for Hurricane Katrina relief at Kelly Field, Texas. 

(USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jason Tudor) 31 

31 Aug 05 AFRC relief support capabilities included: 

433 rd AW - Lackland AFB, TX 

C-5, 1 crew Charlie alert for 48 hrs 

439 th AW - Westover ARB, MA 

C-5, 3 crews and 3 C-5 BRAVO legal for alert (LFA) 

30/0130Z (Tasked) 

1 Aug crew and 1 C-5 BRAVO LFA 31/1130Z 

910 th AW - Youngstown MAP, OH 

2 crews and 2 C-130s LFA 1200Z/01 Sep for 48 hrs 

28 Bfg (U), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 1 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED. 



31 Photo and caption (U), TSgt Jason Tudor., “Hurricane Katrina,” USAF photo, n. d., available at 

http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&page=2 on 8 Nov 05. 

10

440 th AW - General Mitchell IAP ARS, WI 

3 C-130s and crews available 

934 th AW - Minneapolis-St Paul IAP ARS, MN 

1 C-130 and crew available 

445 th AW - Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 

1 C-141 and Aug crew 

1 Aug AE crew ready 31 Aug/1300Z + basic crew at 1800Z 

94 th AW - Dobbins ARB, GA 


1 was RAS aircraft 

908 th AW - Maxwell AFB, AL 

2 C-130s and crews tasked by TACC alert time 31/1300 

911 th AW - Pittsburgh IAP ARS, PA 


512 th AW - Dover AFB, DE (C-5 crew only) 

1 Bravo and Charlie crews 

446 th AW - McChord AFB, WA (C-17 crew only) 

2 Bravo crews 1400Z LFA/31 Aug 

932 nd AW - Scott AFB, IL (C-9) 

1 Bravo 1200Z LFA/31 Aug 

939 th ARW - Portland IAP ARS, OR 

1 KC-135 32 

31 Aug - Seven Reserve chaplains provided hurricane relief support at Tyndall 

1 Sep 05 AFB, FL; Louis Armstrong International Airport, New Orleans, LA; and 

HQ USAF/HC CAT. 33 

1 Sep 05 USNORTHCOM tasked the Secretary of the Air Force to be prepared to 

provide Homestead ARB, FL, and Duke Field, FL, as FEMA 

logistical staging areas. 34 


33 Summary (U), HQ AFRC/HC, “Katrina Mission Support Summary by AFRC Directorate,” n. d. 

34 Bfg (S), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 1 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per HQ AFRC CAT/DO 

Email to HQ AFRC/CAT , “Tasker 5373,” 3 Jan 06. 

11

1 Sep 05 As of this date, the 403 rd WG, Keesler AFB, MS, had moved four WC- 

130Js to Dobbins ARB, GA; three C-130Js and two WC 130Hs aircraft to 

Ellington ANGB, TX; and two WC-130Hs and three C-130J aircraft to 

Dyess AFB, TX. One WC-130H and one WC-130J remained in hangars at 

Keesler. 35 

Lieutenant Colonel Martha (Marty) Soper from 22 nd Air Force gives direction to volunteers 

offloading critically injured patients evacuated from New Orleans as a result of Hurricane Katrina. 

On 1 September 2005, the patients were sent to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, GA, where they were 

stabilized and transported to Atlanta hospitals. (USAF photo by Donald Peek) 36 

1 Sep 05 The 433 rd AES deployed a 4 member aeromedical evacuation command 

and control package, a 15 personnel Mobile Aeromedical Evacuation 

Staging Facility, an 11 passenger Mobile Air Staging Facility 

Augmentation, a 4 passenger Aeromedical Evacuation Liaison Team, and 

a Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility Equipment Package to LAIAP, 

LA. 37 

1 Sep 05 HQ AFRC Aeromedical Evacuation Branch sent two full Crew 

Management Cells, 452 nd AES and 908 th AES, to Lackland AFB, TX. 

Eight AFRC aeromedical evacuation crew members staged at Lackland 

AFB, TX. All other remaining aeromedical evacuation crews at home 

station were scheduled to be moved for staging at Lackland AFB, TX. 


36 Photo and caption (U), Donald Peek, “Hurricane Katrina Evacuation,” USAF photo, 1 Sep 05, available 

at http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&page=2 on 8 Nov 05. 


12

1 Sep 05 Eleven aeromedical evacuation sorties resulted in the movement of 205 

litters, 207 ambulatory, and 12 attendants from LAIAP, LA. 38 

1 Sep 05 The Veterans Administration requested Dobbins ARB, GA, to prepare for 

movement of patients from New Orleans, LA. 39 

1 Sep 05 403 rd WG C-130J crew at Dobbins ARB scheduled to move 12 Circuit 

Breakers from Ashville, NC, to Keesler AFB, MS, to meet electrical needs 

at Keesler AFB Hospital. 40 

A C-141 aircraft from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, taxies out early 1 September 2005 on 

an aeromedical evacuation flight in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Reservists from Air 

Force Reserve Command’s 445 th Airlift Wing provided in-flight care for patients airlifted from 

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, LA, to Dallas. From Dallas, the plane was 

schedule to fly to Lackland AFB, TX, before returning to Wright-Patterson. (USAF photo by Major 

Ted Theopolos) 41 

1 Sep 05 A 920 th RQW HC-130 and 2 HH-60s arrived Jackson, MS, and waited for 

follow-on tasking. Mississippi FEMA Emergency Operations Center was 






41 Photo and caption (U), Maj. Ted Theopolos, “Hurricane Katrina,” USAF photo, 1 Sep 05, available at 


13

located at Jackson. Maxwell AFB, AL, was designated as Federal Staging 

Area. The 25 th Aerial Port Squadron (Maxwell AFB, AL) prepared to 

engage. 42 

1 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW had rescued 654 people. 43 

1 Sep 05 908 th AW Flight and aeromedicdal evacuation crews transported 30 more 

residents from Gulfport AF Village to Andrews AFB, MD. 44 

1 Sep 05 Air Force Reserve Special Operation Forces (SOF) aircraft assisted in the 

support of the relief mission. Three missions transported needed water, 

Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MREs), and chain saws into the region. 45 

1 Sep 05 Headquarters AFRC Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF) Cell began 

to review Hurricane Relief efforts and their impact on Air and Space 

Expeditionary Force commitments. Functional area managers (FAMs) 

ascertained if deployed AEF Air Force Reservists from home stations that 

had been affected by Hurricane Katrina wished to return to be with their 

families. The goal was to have, if at all possible, service members 

deployed away from home station return to their families at the most 

expeditious time. FAMs worked immediate replacements to have those 

deployed members wishing to return substituted in the field without 

mission degradation. 46 

1 Sep 05 AFRC aircraft were evacuated to alternate locations. The 926 th FW (New 

Orleans ARS) moved 11 aircraft to Barksdale AFB, LA (A-10s) on 27 

Aug 05, while 4 remained in hangars. 403 rd WG had already dispersed its 

WC-130 aircraft to Dobbins ARB, GA (4); Ellington ANGB, TX (5); 

Dyess AFB, TX (5); while 2 remained in hangers. 47 

1 Sep 05 As part of its Hurricane Katrina response, the 452 nd AMW (March ARB, 

CA) had six aeromedical evacuation crews on Bravo alert and one C-17 

crew on Bravo alert. 48 



43 SITREP (U), “920 RQW SITREP,” 2 Sep 05. 






48 SITREP (S/ Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 3 Sep 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, “SITREP: OPER/NOBLE 

EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2026/02 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED. 

14

1 Sep 05 As of 1700L, AFRC personnel represented 241 of a total of 331 

aeromedical evacuation personnel deployed. They had transported 296 

patients. 49 

2-5 Sep 05 Two volunteers from the 94 th Aerial Port Squadron (APS), Robins AFB, 

GA, and two from the 42 nd APS, Westover ARB, MA, were part of the 

Rapid Action (RA) Team for Hurricane Katrina relief. They performed 

administrative duties ensuring deploying personnel departed on time. 50 

2 Sep 05 10 th Air Force CAT stood up 24-hour operations at 1100Z. 51 

2 Sep 05 AFRC reported providing the following Hurricane Katrina relief 

operations: 

Aircraft Sorties 

Airlift 

Hours Pax Cargo 

C-130 2 6 30 N/A 

C-141 1 6 44 litters/41 N/A 

Ambulatory 

C-5 2 17.7 180K 

MC-130 3 16.7 H2O, MREs, 

CCT 

KC-135 2 10 34 6 Pallets 

HC-130 2 6.5 

C-9 2 7 80 N/A 

C-17 2 5 31 19 Pallets 

(Source: Bfg (U), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment 

Plan,” 2 Sep 05.) 

2 Sep 05 Ten aeromedical evacuation sorties resulted in the movement of 324 

litters, 127 ambulatory, and 4 attendants from LAIAP. 52 

2 Sep 05 The 327th Airlift Squadron from the 913th AW (Willow Grove ARS, PA) 

flew a mission in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. They 


50 Summary (U), HQ AFRC/DO, “Katrina Mission Support Summary by AFRC Directorate,” n. d. 


EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2027/03 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED; SITREP (S/ 

Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 5 Sep 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, “SITREP: OPER/NOBLE EAGLE/ENDURING 

FREEDOM,” 2028/04 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB Email to HQ 

AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 05. 


15

transported 10 passengers and 24,000 pounds of cargo and logged 8.5 

hours flying time. 53 

2 Sep 05 The 507 th Air Refueling Wing (ARW) (Tinker AFB, OK) maintained one 

crew on alert, a C-29, which flew a 2.2 hour Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) mission – a positioning leg from Oklahoma City, 

OK, to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to pick up a 5-member Department of 

Transportation (DOT) security team. 54 

2 Sep 05 HQ AFRC Aeromedical Evacuation Branch had 23+ aeromedical 

evacuation crews staged at Lackland AFB, TX, by 2300Z for round-theclock 

patient movement. 55 

2 Sep 05 HQ AFRC Financial Management’s (FM) Plans and Program Branch 

sought volunteers within the FM community to establish a virtual finance 

office at Dobbins ARB, GA, to support the 403 rd WG, Keesler AFB, MS. 

Additionally, the call went out to duplicate the initiative this time at 

Carswell ARS, TX, in order to provide financial management support for 

the 926 th FW at New Orleans, LA. 56 

2 Sep 05 The 94 th Airlift Wing Commander (Dobbins ARB, GA) requested Critical 

Stress Management members to support relief efforts at Dobbins. The 

710 th Medical Squadron (Offutt AFB, NE) provided volunteers. 57 

2–9 Sep 05 A total of 16 medical personnel from the 433 rd Aeromedical Staging 

Squadron (ASTS)(Lackland AFB, TX) helped support a 24 hour, 7 days-aweek 

operation with the active duty’s 59 th Aeromedical Staging Flight at 

Lackland AFB and Kelly Field, TX. 433 rd personnel provided care and 

ground transport between treatment facilities for hurricane evacuees. 58 

3 Sep 05 The 507 th ARW (Tinker AFB, OK) had one crew on alert for a C-29. An 

FAA and active duty associate crew flew 2 FAA missions of 1.3 and 1.0 

hours’ duration. They transported 5 passengers, a 5 member DOT security 

team, and 300 pounds cargo, from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, to Baton Rouge, 

LA, and returned to base at Oklahoma City, OK. 59 




EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2031/07 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 4AF Battle 

Staff Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 29 Dec 05. 


56 Email (U), HQ AFRC/FMXX to HQ AFRC/HO, “FM Comments to Ill Winds,” 6 Feb 06. 

57 Email (U), HQ AFRC/SGXO to HQ AFRC/HO, “Inputs to Ill Winds,” 14 Feb 06. 

58 Email (U), HQ AFRC/SGXO to HQ AFRC/HO, “Additional Inputs to Ill Winds,” 17 Feb 06. 


EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2031/07 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 4AF Battle 


16

3 Sep 05 HQ AFRC Aeromedical Evacuation Branch staged four additional 

aeromedical evacuation crews from McGuire AFB, NJ, to Lackland AFB, 

TX. 60 

3 Sep 05 Fifteen aeromedical evacuation sorties resulted in patient movement of 

310 litters, 260 ambulatory patients, and 5 attendants from LAIAP, LA. 61 

3 Sep 05 Commander Poole, US Navy, (Naval Air Station Fort Worth, Joint 

Reserve Base EOC CMD) requested security forces personnel to support 

C-130/40/9 aircraft recovering refugees. 62 

3 Sep 05 AFRC rescue HH-60Gs flew 7+ sorties for 51.5+ hours and 654 saves. 

AFRC aeromedical evacuation crews flew 15 sorties, transporting 369 

litters, 265 ambulatory patients as well as 17 attendants. Patients were 

transported to Nashville, TN; Birmingham, AL; Dobbins ARB, GA; Kelly 

Field, TX; Navy Forth Worth, TX; and other cities. 63 

3-6 Sep 05 Five personnel from the 73 rd APS, Carswell ARS, TX, were part of the 

initial damage assessment team at NAS JRB New Orleans, LA. 64 

4 Sep 05 On 2 Sep 05, the 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) requested airlift support to 

provide airlift capability of equipment and personnel between Jackson, 

MS, and required airfields in support of Hurricane Katrina rescue and 

recovery. The airlift was expected to be needed until 920 th deployment 

was terminated. Airlift anticipated needs were for as a minimum one 

channel mission per day with ability for a maximum crew day. Wing 

planners anticipated that one C-130 and two aircrews would meet their 

needs. C-130 airlift support for 920 th RQW personnel and equipment was 

worked directly by HQ AFRC Air Operations Branch (HQ 

AFRC/DOOM) and the 920 th RQW. 65 




EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2026/03 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 10 AF/CAT 

Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06. 

63 Bfg (U) , HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 3 Sep 05. 



EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2026/02 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB 

Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06; SITREP (S/ Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 5 Sep 2011), HQ 

AFRC CAT, “SITREP: OPER/NOBLE EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2028/04 SEP 05, material 

used is UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06. 

17

The breach in the 17 th Street Canal, visible in this aerial photo taken 4 September 2005, 

flooded much of New Orleans’ Lakeview District. (US Army Corps of Engineers photo) 

4 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) HH-60Gs flew 4 sorties for 16.5 hours 

and 20 saves. 66 

4 Sep 05 315 th AW (Charleston AFB, SC) surged aircraft and crews to meet Air 

Mobility Command TACC taskings in support of hurricane relief efforts. 

One 315 th AW crew debriefing indicated the following: 

- Slot times were required for arrival into Louis B. Armstrong 

International Airport. 

- Radar was available for incoming aircraft. 

- Airfield had operational runway and taxiway lighting. 

- No taxi or runway obstructions existed. 

- Civil and military traffic was for evacuee movement. 

- No fuel or service was available. 

- Security provided by federal air marshals and TSA was assessed as 

good. 

- Passengers were compliant with aircrew instructions. 

- Extensive ground times were required for upload (3-4 hours). 

- Movement relocated passengers to Kelly AFB. 67 

66 Timeline (U), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Comprehensive Timeline,” as of 30 Sep 05. 



Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 29 Dec 05. 

18

4 Sep 05 22 nd Air Force personnel expected up to 2000 evacuees transiting Dobbins 

ARB, GA, within 24 hours. 22 AF/CAT requested assistance from HQ 

AFRC CAT and HQ AFRC Air Operations Branch (HQ AFRC/DOOM) to 

establish a daily shuttle between Dobbins ARB, GA, and Keesler AFB, 

MS. This initiative would help facilitate the relocation of the 403 rd WG 

flying operation to Dobbins ARB, GA. 68 

4 Sep 05 All 22 AF available aeromedical evacuation crews had been tasked. 69 

4 Sep 05 Eleven aeromedical evacuation sorties resulted in patient movement of 275 

litters, 130 ambulatory, and 6 attendants from LAIAP, LA. Total patients 

moved to date comprised 729 litters, 481 ambulatory, and 15 attendants. 70 

4 Sep 05 All 22AF C-130 crews and aircraft tasked by Air Mobility Command 

TACC for aeromedical evacuation were staged at Kelly AFB and awaited 

launch authorization. 71 

4-6 Sep 05 One civilian volunteer from 22 AF, Dobbins ARB, GA, augmented the 

403 rd WG command post for Keesler recovery actions. 

4 Sep 05 As of this date, HQ AFRC reported the following Hurricane Katrina relief 

operations: 











19

Aircraft Sorties 


Hours Pax Cargo 

C-130 23 53.6 172 45.4 Tons 

C-141 11 17.0 223 

Litters/99 


2 Pallets 

C-5 12 36.6 13 305.4 Tons 

MC-130 18 35.1 28 H2O, MREs 

HC-130 4 7.0 MREs and 

Supplies 

C-9 1023.2 129 5 Tons 

C-17 13 31.6 23 Litters/16 


TOTAL 1104.2 309.9 574 355 + Tons 


Plan,” 4 Sep 05.) 

4 Sep 05 AFRC rescue HH-60Gs had flown 26+ sorties for 122+ hours and 891 

saves. 72 

5 Sep 05 Six aeromedical evacuation crews and 1 C-17 crew from the 452 nd AMW 

(March ARB, CA) remained on Bravo Alert. 73 

5 Sep 05 One AE sortie resulted in patient movement of 9 litters, 1 ambulatory, and 

3 attendants from LAIAP, LA. 74 

5 Sep 05 The 926 th FW/CC (New Orleans ARS, LA) assessed a need for a small 

medical team to assist personnel working with primitive and unsanitary 

conditions. 75 

5 Sep 05 Due to the decrease in evacuee arrivals, 94 th AW chaplain support 

augmentees were no longer needed. 76 

5 Sep 05 Air Mobility Command TACC/XOBN began redeployment of aeromedical 

evacuation crews back to home station. 77 







to HQ AFRC/CAT Email, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06. 





20

5 Sep 05 Four command post controllers dispatched from the 22 AF to augment the 

403 rd Command Post (CP) were in place at Keesler AFB, MS. 78 

5 Sep 05 The following 919 th Special Operations Wing aircraft were flown in support 

of Katrina relief efforts for the preceding 24 hours: Tail Number 64-0566, 4 

Sep 05, helicopter air refueling approximately 3 hours on track; Tail number 

64-0559, 5 Sep 05, helicopter air refueling approximately 4 hours on track. 

One 5 th Special Operations Squadron, MC-130P aircrew flew on 4 Sep 05 

for helicopter air refueling in the New Orleans area. 79 

An Air Force Reserve Command HC-130 monitor flies over Lake Pontchartrain, LA, following inflight 

refueling operations with AFRC HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters involved in Hurricane Katrina 

rescue efforts in New Orleans. (USAF photo by Master Sergeant Bill Huntington) 80 

5 Sep 05 The 926 th FW/CC (New Orleans ARS, LA) Commander and key staff 

performed onsite visitations within the confines of Joint Reserve Base New 

Orleans on 4 Sep 05. The 926 th Security Forces personnel were working with 

Army and Navy security to patrol the base. An additional 15 Security Forces 

had been requested. The financial records server was secured, and it was in 

route to Carswell Naval Air Station, TX. 81 

5 Sep 05 920 th RQW current unit disposition and deployment status: 






80 Photo and Caption (U), MSgt Bill Huntington, “Hurricane Katrina,” USAF Photo, n. d., available at 

http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&btnG.x=5&btnG.y=15 on 8 Nov 05. 




21

5 Patrick AFB, FL crews at Jackson, MS 

2 Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ crews at Jackson, MS 

8 PJS, 2 Combat Rescue Officers (CROs), and 5.7 short tons of 

equipment for the 304th RQS (Portland IAP ARS, OR) 

7 PJS, 2 CROs from Patrick AFB, FL 

1 CRO from HQ AFRC (Robins AFB, GA) 

Current manning levels were adequate for sustained operations. The 

920 th RQW anticipated 2 HH-60s redeploying to Davis-Monthan AFB, 

AZ, 6 Sep 05 due to reduction in Search and Rescue (SAR) mission needs. 

Current operations tempo and airframe availability resulted in 8 hours per 

aircraft per day. The 440 th AW (General Mitchell IAP ARS, WI) C-130 

continued to support the 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) and as required by 

AFRC needs. As of 2200Z, the wing had 1007 saves. 82 

Technical Sergeant Andrew Canfield, full-time Air Force reservist and pararescue jumper, 

communicated with one of his rescuees, Joseph, by writing notes. Joseph, who had spent 10 days in 

his flooded New Orleans home, was nonverbal and was found hovering over a small lit candle in his 

second-floor bedroom. He motioned to the PJ for something to write on and they began a written 

dialogue that resulted in the Sergeant Canfield and crew successfully extracting him. Sergeant 

Canfield is with the 304 th Rescue Squadron, Portland IAP ARS, OR. (USAF photo by Senior Master 

Sergeant Elaine Mayo) 83 

5 Sep 05 The 920 th Aeromedical Staging Squadron’s (ASTS)(Patrick AFB, FL) 

Col. Neace, Commander/Flight Surgeon, was on station at Jackson, MS, 

flying with a Critical Care Team (CCT) medical crew. The 920 th ASTS 

stood ready to deploy the following personnel positions: 1 flight surgeon, 




83 Photo and caption (U), SMSgt Elaine Mayo, “Hurricane Katrina,” USAF photo, n. d., available at 


22

6 nurses, 7 medical technicians, and 1 pharmacy technician. 6 PJs from 

Portland’s 304 th RQS were ready to deploy if required and 2 Squadron 

Medical Elements (SMEs) from the 39 th RQS were ready to deploy as 

well. Additionally, the 920 th Security Forces had 7 people ready to 

deploy. 84 

Preparing to take off, Senior Master Sergeant Omar Rivera, an Air Reserve Technician and flight 

engineer with the 920 th Rescue Wing (Patrick AFB, FL) ensures all systems are “go” aboard his HH- 

60 Pave Hawk helicopter September 10, 2005. Working around the clock, Sergeant Rivera and about 

100 other reservists supported and flew 6 helicopters saving 472 people in one day. (USAF photo by 

Senior Master Sergeant Elaine Mayo) 85 

5 Sep 05 AFRC personnel were researching aircraft decontamination issues for 

blood-borne pathogens. At the time, they were using a 10% bleach solution 

to clean the aircraft interiors. 86 

5 Sep 05 926 th FW Finance personnel were tasked to relocate to Carswell ARS, TX, 

to set up their Finance Office. The temporary reassignment was dictated by 

the fact that the lodging in the Barksdale, LA, area was nonexistent and that 

the 301 st FW/FM had all the financial pay systems needed to support the 

926 th FW/FM. 87 

5-12 Sep 05 Two volunteers from the 434 th ARW, Grissom ARB, IN, augmented the 

920 th RQW command post at Patrick AFB, FL, for the rescue effort. 88 




85 Photo and caption (U), SMSgt Elaine Mayo, “Hurricane Katrina,” AF photo, n. d., available at 



EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2030/06 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFED per 22 AF/CAT 




23

6 Sep 05 As of 2200Z, the 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) had 1015 saves. 89 

6 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG Commander (Keesler AFB, MS) directed that two C-130J 

aircraft were to be sealed and ready for 22 AF tasking. The 53 rd Weather 

Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) at Dobbins ARB, GA, received 

information from the National Hurricane Center and relayed it to the 403 rd 

WG and 22AF/CAT. The C-130H model aircraft were still at their 

evacuation locations. 90 

6 Sep 05 The 440 th AW (General Mitchell IAP ARS, WI) provided the following 

Hurricane Katrina support: 

Crews tasked: 5 

Aircraft on alert: 5 

C-130H: 2 

Missions flown: 3 

Sorties flown: 16 

Passengers moved: 82 

Tons of cargo moved: 10.0 

Hours flown: 42.9 91 

6 Sep 05 The 514 th AMW (McGuire AFB, NJ) had 12 crews mission ready. 92 

6 Sep 05 One aeromedical evacuation sortie resulted in the movement of one 

patient. 93 

6 Sep 05 The 908 th AW (Maxwell AFB, AL) had one crew at Kelly AFB, TX, for 

hurricane relief missions. During the preceding 24 hours, one crew had 

flown to New Orleans, LA, on a hurricane relief mission. 94 

6 Sep 05 The 934 th AW (Minneapolis-St Paul, MN) initially sent 5 aeromedical 

evacuation crews (each compromised of 2 flight nurses and 3 aeromedical 

evacuation technicians) responding with a Bravo alert capability within 24 

hours of notification, as of 31 Aug 05. Three crews flew out commercially 

on the evening of 1 Sep with the remaining 2 crews leaving via C-130H on 

2 Sep. Three crews returned to home station late evening, 5 Sep, with 2 












24

crews remaining at Kelly Field, TX. As of this date, AFRC aeromedical 

evacuation crews have flown 3 missions into New Orleans with patient 

loads of 25-17+0, 9-1+0, and 18-22+0 (these numbers represent the number 

of litter patients, the number of ambulatory patients and the last number is 

that of medical or non-medical attendants). Each mission consisted of 3 

sorties, and the respective flying times were 7.7, 4.4, and 7.4 hours. 95 

6 Sep 05 HQ AFRC Services Directorate sent Food Service personnel from around 

the Command to Keesler AFB, MS, to support Food Services operations. A 

total of 25 volunteers from 4 different states (Homestead ARB, FL; Niagara 

Falls IAP ARS, NY; Selfridge ANGB, MI; and Tinker AFB, OK) assisted 

in these efforts. 96 

6 Sep 05 The 349 th AMW (Travis AFB, CA) had completed two hurricane relief 

missions consisting of 6 sorties for 19 hours flown. They carried 2 

passengers and 1,498 tons of cargo. The 349 th AES had three missions 

under way. 97 

6 Sep 05 The 433 rd AW (Kelly AFB, TX) had flown 2 hurricane relief missions of 

10.6 hours duration, transporting 12 passengers and 75.3 tons of cargo. 98 

6 Sep 05 Aircraft from the 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) flew the following 

sorties: 

95 

SITREP (S/ Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 8 Sep 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, “SITREP: OPER/NOBLE 


96 

Comments (U), HQ AFRC/SV comments to “Hurricane Rita/Katrina Comprehensive Timeline,” 11 Oct 

05. 

97 


EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2031/07 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 4 AF Battle 


98 



25

Sorties Scheduled/Flown by Aircraft Type 

Sched Sorties Hours Acft 

Tail # 

Type Saves Cargo Pax Remarks 

6 Sep 90- HH- 

NMC 

26230 60G 

6 Sep 2 8.0 90- HH- 

26233 60G 

6 Sep 2 10.3 90- HH- 8 

26234 60G 

6 Sep 3 5.5 90- HH- 

26237 60G 

6 Sep 2 5.7 90- HH- 

26238 60G 

6 Sep 65-0976 HC- 

130P 

6 Sep 65-0977 WC- 

Backup 

130 

Aircraft 

Inventory 

6 Sep 65-0855 HC- 

130P 

6 Sep 3 7.7 65-0970 HC- 

130P 

1K 6 

6 Sep 3 6.5 SWEET C- 

.1K AEF 

05 130H 

Recovery 

(Source: SITREP (S/ Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 8 Sep 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, SITREP: 

OPER/NOBLE EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2031/07 SEP 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06.) 

6 Sep 05 The 446 th AW (McChord AFB, WA) maintained 3 crews on alert in 

support of Hurricane Katrina missions. 99 

6 Sep 05 The 507 th AW (Tinker AFB, OK) maintained one crew on alert, a C-29, 

for Federal Aviation Administration and Active Duty Associate missions. 

The aircraft and crew flew two FAA missions, each one hour long. 

Mission 2 involved carrying one passenger, an ATC controller, and 150 

pounds of cargo from Oklahoma City, OK, to Baton Rouge, LA, with 

return flight back to Oklahoma City, OK. 100 







26

6 Sep 05 New Orleans key personnel estimated that the base would return to normal 

operations in December 2005. 101 

6 Sep 05 The 919 th Special Operations Wing (SOW) (Duke Field, FL) flew one 

mission of 5 hours’ duration transporting 5,000 pounds of fuel. 102 

6 Sep 05 The first Financial Management Reservist arrived at Dobbins ARB, GA, 

to provide support in establishing the virtual finance office taking care of 

the pay needs for the 403 rd WG personnel at Keesler AFB, MS. In the 

following days, 10 more finance specialists from around the Command 

joined the team to assist in meeting the 403 rd’s financial pay needs while 

preparing for fiscal year, end-of-year closeout actions. 103 

6 – 7 Sep 05 The 445 th AW (Wright-Patterson AFB OH) flew 1 mission of two hours’ 

duration carrying 4 passengers. 104 

7 Sep 05 On this day the 919 th Special Operations Wing (SOW) from Duke Field, 

FL, had one MC-130E crew available on telephone standby. During the 

previous 24-hour period, one aircraft performed helicopter refueling with a 

3-hour track. A second aircraft flew helicopter refueling with nearly 3 

hours on track as well. 105 On 7 Sep 05, during one 4.6-hour mission, 

aircraft from the 919 th SOW moved 12,500 pounds of fuel. 106 

7 Sep 05 As of this day, the 920 th RQW had four Patrick crews deployed to 

Jackson, MS. 107 To date the wing had performed 1015 saves. 108 

7 Sep 05 An aeromedical evacuation mission resulted in the movement of three 

patients. 109 









EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2031/07 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED; 













27

7 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW flew the following sorties: 

Sorties Scheduled/Flown by Aircraft Type 

Sched Sorties Hours Acft 

Tail # 

Type Saves Cargo Pax Remarks 

7 Sep 90- HH- 

NMC 

26230 60G 

7 Sep 2 8.5 90- HH- 

FMC 

26233 60G 

7 Sep 2 9.0 90- HH- 12 FMC 

26234 60G 

7 Sep 2 4.6 90- HH- 

NMC 

26237 60G 

7 Sep 1 7.4 90- HH- 

PMC 

26238 60G 

7 Sep 65- HC- 

PMC 

0976 130P 

7 Sep 65- WC- 

FMC 

0977 130 

(Backup 

Aircraft 

Inventory) 

7 Sep 65- HC- 

PMC 

0855 130P 

7 Sep 2 4.5 65- HC- 8.8K 11 PMC 

0970 130P 

(Source: SITREP (S/ Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 9 Sep 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, SITREP: 

OPER/NOBLE EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2032/08 SEP 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 6 Jan 06.) 

7 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW HH-60Gs flew 4 sorties for 18.3 hours and 8 saves. 110 

7 Sep 05 The 926 th FW had 34 personnel operating on the installation. New Orleans 

Air Force Reservists included 30 security force personnel, 1 intelligence, 2 

pilots, and 1 civil engineer. 14 medical personnel would be in place by 9 

Sep and five communications personnel would be on-station by 10 Sep. 111 

7 Sep 05 The 919 th SOW (Duke Field, FL) relief efforts were terminated. 112 







28

7 Sep 05 AFRC aeromedical evacuation operations redeployed 23 crews within 24 

hours. 113 

7 Sep 05 The 926 th FW Commander (New Orleans ARS, LA) on behalf of the 

Louisiana Air National Guard Expeditionary Medical Squadron 

Commander, requested a small contingent of medical personnel to assist at 

New Orleans ARS. Volunteers from the 301 st and 701 st Medical 

Squadrons (Carswell ARB, TX); 433 rd Medical Squadron (Lackland AFB, 

TX); and the 917 th Medical Squadron (Barksdale AFB, LA) deployed to 

New Orleans ARS. Volunteers rotated in and out in this medical support 

initiative every 15 days for approximately the next 45 deployment days. 114 

7 Sep 05 The 433 rd Medical Squadron (Lackland AFB, TX), provided the 59 th 

Medical Group (Wilford Hall, Lackland AFB, TX) with medical personnel 

to assist in the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility with patients 

and evacuation redistributions. 115 

8 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) had accumulated 1032 saves to date. 116 

8 Sep 05 Tropical depression Ophelia briefly became a hurricane off the central 

Florida coast. 117 







117 Report (U), National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, “Monthly Tropical Weather 

Summary,” 1 Oct 05, available at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_sep.html on 23 

Nov 05. 

29

Technical Sergeant Arthur Reyes offloads support equipment for fire and rescue personnel from a 

C-5 Galaxy at Louis Armstrong International Airport, New Orleans, LA, on 8 September 2005. 

Department of Defense units mobilized as part of Joint Task Force-Katrina to support the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief efforts on the Gulf Coast. Sergeant Reyes is 

assigned to the 68 th Airlift Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, TX. (USAF photo by Staff 

Sergeant Jacob N. Bailey) 118 

8 Sep 05 An aeromedical evacuation mission resulted in the movement of two 

patients. 119 

8 Sep 05 Forty-five AFRC aeromedical evacuation personnel remained at LAIAP, 

LA, and 22 AFRC aeromedical evacuation personnel were at Lackland 

AFB, TX (including two crews from the 934 th AES [Minneapolis-St Paul 

IAP ARS, MN] and two crew management cells with six personnel 

each.) 120 

8 Sep 05 The 920 th RQS (Patrick AFB, FL) flew seven HH-60G sorties for 29.5 

hours and an additional 12 saves. 121 

118 Photo and caption (U), SSgt Jacob N. Bailey, “Support Equipment,” USAF photo, 8 Sep 05, available at 





30

8 Sep 05 As of this date, no FEMA aerial spray missions had been requested and 

AFRC C-130 spray crews were still on standby to deploy to Duke Field, 

FL, for aerial spray staging. 122 

The Modular Aerial Spray System on Air Force Reserve Command C-130 aircraft can use a setting 

called ultra-low-volume and specialized spray boom nozzles like these to spread one-half to an ounce 

of chemical over an acre. To be effective, the droplets need be just large enough to attach to the hair 

on a mosquito’s leg. (USAF photo by Master Sergeant Bryan Ripple) 123 

8 Sep 05 AFRC reported the following operations in support of Hurricane Katrina: 


Aircraft Sorties Hours Pax Cargo 

C-130 38 84.8 218 46.4 Tons 

C-141 17 23 506 2 Pallets 

C-5 82 179.2 855 1446 Tons 

MC-130 23 68.3 28 H2O, MREs, 

Helo A/R 

HC-130 10 22.1 5 MREs and 

Supplies 

C-9 10 23.2 129 5 Tons 

C-17 98 200.7 2058 781 Tons 

TOTAL 278 501.3 3799 2278 + Tons 

(Source: Bfg (S), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 8 Sep 05, 

material used is UNCLASSIFIED.) 

122 

Bfg (S), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 8 Sep 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

123 

Photo and caption (U), MSgt Bryan Ripple, “Aerial Spraying,” USAF photo available at 

http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=spray&btnG.x=5&btnG.y=9 on 7 Nov 05. 

31

8 Sep 05 AFRC HH-60Gs accomplished total rescue activity of 42+ sorties for 

181.6 hours and 1031 saves. AFRC aeromedical evacuation assets had 

moved a total of 2596 patients to date. 124 

(Source: Bfg (S), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 8 Sep 05. 

Material used is UNCLASSIFIED per HQ AFRC CAT/DO Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, 

“Tasker 5373,” 3 Jan 06.) 

8 Sep 05 Patrick AFB, FL was at HURCON 4 tracking Hurricane Ophelia. 125 

8 Sep 05 Two 910 th AW (Youngstown MAP, OH) C-130s, 3 crews, and 50 

maintenance/overhead personnel had forward deployed and staged at 

Duke Field, FL, for spray mission, but no FEMA aerial spray missions had 

been assigned. 126 

124 Bfg (S), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 8 Sep 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED per HQ AFRC CAT/DO Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 3 Jan 06. 



32

8 Sep 05 A recovery team from the 917 th WG (Barksdale AFB, LA) and the 926 th 

FW (relocated to Barksdale) flew into NAS New Orleans and recovered 

electronic countermeasure (ECM) pods and equipment from a damaged 

building. The pods and forklift equipment moved comprised two C-130 

loads. 127 

8-30 Sep 05 Four personnel from the 56 th Aerial Port Squadron (APS) and six from the 

50 th APS, March ARB, CA, loaded rescue personnel, equipment, and 

humanitarian relief supplies donated by the local community onto Air 

National Guard aircraft for delivery to the Gulf Coast. 128 

9 Sep 05 The 920 th RQS (Patrick AFB, FL) flew eight HH-60 sorties for 18.2 hours 

and 11 saves. 129 

9 Sep 05 One aeromedical evacuation liaison team (622 nd AES, MacDill AFB FL) 

moved to Belle Chasse, LA. 130 

9 Sep 05 One patient was moved from Belle Chasse Naval Air Station, LA. 131 

9 Sep 05 Aeromedical evacuation command element requested redeployment of 

personnel because movements had slowed significantly. 132 

9 Sep 05 HQ AFRC reported the following operations in support of Hurricane 

Katrina relief: 



C-130 53 105.1 218 55.4 Tons 

C-141 17 23 506 2 Pallets 

C-5 82 179.2 855 1446 Tons 

MC-130 23 68.3 28 H2O, MREs, 

Helo A/R 

HC-130 10 22.1 5 MREs and 

Supplies 

C-9 10 23.2 129 5 Tons 

C-17 101 205.7 2088 776.3 Tons 

TOTAL 296 626.6 3829 2282.7 + 

Tons 


Plan,” 9 Sep 05.) 







33

The total number of rescue sorties flown in AFRC HH-60Gs equaled 49+. 

These sorties comprised 211.1+ hours of flying time and resulted in 1032 

saves. AFRC aeromedical evacuation personnel had moved 2599 patients 

to date. 133 

Senior Master Sergeant James Sanchez looks up for the hoist to be lowered from an Air Force 

Reserve helicopter hovering over a roof top in New Orleans September 10. Assigned to the 305 th 

Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, Sergeant Sanchez is a combat veteran of Afghanistan 

and has saved 98 lives during the Air Force Reserve's rescue operations. (USAF photo by Senior 

Master Sergeant Elaine Mayo) 134 


134 Photo and caption (U), SMSgt Elaine Mayo, “Hurricane Katrina,” AF photo, n. d., available at 


34

(Source: Bfg (U), HQ AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Deployment Plan,” 9 Sep 05.) 

11 Sep 05 The aerial spray mission scheduled for this date was postponed due to a 

visit by President George W. Bush, which resulted in airspace being 

restricted in the New Orleans area. 135 

11 Sep 05 The 920 th RQS flew four HH-60 sorties for 13.3 hours and 1 save. 136 

11 Sep 05 Ophelia became a hurricane twice, each time weakening back to a tropical 

storm status. 

12 Sep 05 Three C-130H aerial spray aircraft departed Youngstown MAP, OH, for 

Duke Field, FL, for Hurricane Katrina spray missions. One C-130H 

returned after dropping off support equipment. A total of three aircrews 

remained in place at Duke Field. 137 

12 Sep 05 The 916 th ARW (Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC) declared hurricane 

conditions because of Hurricane Ophelia and evacuated toWright- 

Patterson AFB, OH. 138 



137 SITREP (S), HQ 22 AF, “SITREP,” 12 Sep 05, information used is UNCLASSIFIED. 


35

12 Sep 05 The 920 th RQS (Patrick AFB, FL) flew four HH-60 sorties for 10.0 hours 

with no saves. 139 

12 Sep 05 The Aeromedical Evacuation Command Element requested redeployment 

of a few 622 nd (MacDill AFB, FL) aeromedical personnel to the Air 

Mobility Command’s TACC/XOPA. The redeployment plan now left the 

aeromedical evacuation liaison teams with 4 personnel from the 433 rd AW 

(Lackland AFB, TX) remaining at LAIAP, LA, and 43 active duty 

aeromedical evacuation members remaining at Belle Chasse, LA. 140 

12 Sep 05 The 910 th AW (Youngstown MAP, OH) began aerial spray missions. 141 

A US Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules sprays pesticide over New Orleans, LA, September 13, 2005, 

targeting insects capable of transmitting diseases such as malaria, West Nile Virus, and encephalitis. 

In coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease 

Control, the C-130 crew was to first spray New Orleans and then spray other Gulf Coast areas as 

required. The C-130 belongs to the 910 th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Municipal Airport, OH, the only 

unit in the Department of Defense tasked to maintain a full-time, fixed wing aerial spray capability. 

(DoD photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob N. Bailey, USAF, (Released) 142 




142 Photo and Caption (U), SSgt Jacob N. Bailey, USAF, “C-130 Spray,” DoD photo. 

36

12 Sep - US Northern Command’s Judge Advocate office needed 

19 Oct 05 augmentation when it went to 24-hour hurricane operations. AFRC 

provided four volunteers to support that effort. 143 

13 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG moved 10 medics from Barksdale AFB, LA, to New 

Orleans, LA. 144 

13 Sep 05 Air Mobility Command Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC/XOBN) 

requested to reduce aeromedical evacuation crew alert posture from six (6) 

to four (4). 145 

13 Sep 05 The 920 th RQS (Patrick AFB, FL) flew four HH-60 sorties for 8.2 hours 

and no saves. 146 

13 Sep 05 Aerial spray missions continued with three missions scheduled for the 

night of 13 Sep 05. 147 

14 Sep - Eight personnel from the 41 st Aerial Port Squadron (APS) (Keesler 

13 Oct 05 AFB, MS) volunteered to be part of the active duty Tactical Airlift Control 

Element (TALCE) support. They unloaded relief supplies from arriving 

aircraft and loaded departing aircraft with evacuees at Keesler AFB, 

MS. 148 

14 Sep 05 Hurricane Ophelia, which contained 85 mph winds, made landfall on the 

North Carolina coast near Cape Fear. One death, a drowning along the 

southeast Florida coast was attributed to Ophelia. It caused an estimated 

$50 million in damage along the North Carolina coast. 

15 Sep 05 A third aerial spray aircraft, Tail Number #90-9108, arrived with repair 

parts. Tail Number #90-9108, an aircraft struck by a bird, was repaired 

and made fully mission capable. 149 

15 Sep 05 The 920 th RQS (Patrick AFB, FL) completed 5 sorties for 7.1 hours and 0 

saves. 150 

143 Summary (U), HQ AFRC/JA, “Katrina Mission Support Summary by AFRC Directorate: JA,” n. d. 






149 Bfg (S), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED; Timeline (U), HQ 

AFRC/DOOM, “Hurricane Katrina Comprehensive Timeline,” as of 30 Sep 05.. 


37

15 Sep 05 The 910 th AW (Youngstown MAP, OH) flew one 4.0 hour spray sortie, 

covering 58,496 acres. 151 

15 Sep 05 Redeployment initiated of AFRC aeromedical evacuation forces in 

Louisiana except one for one liaison team was coordinated and confirmed 

with Air Mobility Command’s Tanker Airlift Control Center 

(TACC/XOPA.) TACC/XOBN had four alert aeromedical evacuation 

crews available at Lackland AFB, TX (2 from the 934 th AW Minneapolis- 

St Paul IAP ARS, MN; 1 each from the 433 rd AW Lackland AFB, TX and 

from the Air National Guard.) 152 

Members of the 934 th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron lift a litter into a truck before leaving Kelly 

Field, TX, on a mission. The Airmen from the 934 th made up an aeromedical evacuation team that 

flew from Texas to New Orleans, LA, later dropping patients off at locations around the United 

States. (USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jason Tudor) 153 

16 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) deployed an aircraft to St. Croix to 

investigate a system east of the Lower Antilles. It also flew two WC-130 

sorties supporting Hurricane Ophelia. 154 

16 Sep 05 The 910 th AW (Youngstown MAP, OH) flew 2 spray sorties in 8.1 hours, 

spraying 182,000 acres in Washington Parish, LA. 155 

16 Sep 05 One 916 th ARW (Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC) KC-135R refueling aircraft 

redeployed from Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, to Seymour-Johnson AFB, 

NC, as a result of the Ophelia Hurricane Evacuation. 156 



153 Photo and caption (U), TSgt Jason Tudor., “Hurricane Katrina,” USAF photo, n. d., available at 





38

16 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) flew 11 sorties for 15.9 hours, but it 

accomplished no rescues on this day. 157 

16-30 Sep 05 Two volunteers from the 911 th AW (Pittsburgh IAP ARS, PA) augmented 

the command post at the 403 rd AW (Keesler AFB, MS) in support of base 

recovery actions there. 158 

17 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) was tasked to fly against tropical 

depression #17 and an additional suspect weather area for 18 Sep 05. It 

also flew 2 WC-130 sorties supporting Hurricane Ophelia. 159 

17 Sep 05 The 910 th AW (Youngstown MAP, OH) completed 2 sorties for 7.9 hours, 

spraying 190,000 acres this day. 160 

19 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG completed two WC-130 flights to investigate tropical storm 

Philippe. It also completed two WC-130 sorties to investigate tropical 

depression #18 (Tropical Storm [TS] Rita). 161 

19 Sep 05 The 482 nd FW (Homestead ARB, FL) declared Hurricane Condition 2 for 

Tropical Storm Rita, sending 8 F-16C aircraft to Naval Air Station (NAS) 

Fort Worth, TX. 162 

19 Sep 05 The 910 th AW (Youngstown MAP, OH) completed two spray missions. 163 

20 Sep 05 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) HH-60s redeployed to Patrick AFB from 

Jackson International Airport (IAP), MS. 164 

20 Sep 05 Two WC-130Js from the 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) redeployed to 

Dobbins ARB, GA. 165 

20 Sep 05 All non-essential personnel at Naval Air Station New Orleans were 

directed to evacuate back to Barksdale AFB, LA. 166 













39

First Lieutenant Wendy Hendley, 403 rd Wing facility manager, inspects damage for the Air Force 

Reserve Command civil engineers during AFRC's assessment team visit to Keesler AFB, MS, 20 

September 2005. An early estimate set the damage at more than $300 million. Many of the 

command's office buildings, maintenance shops and hangars were severely damaged by Hurricane 

Katrina on 30 August. (USAF photo by Lieutenant Colonel Bob Thompson) 168 

20 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) flew two sorties against Tropical Storm 

Rita. 169 

20 Sep 05 Tropical Storm Rita reached hurricane intensity. It was ranked as a 

Category 2 hurricane when it passed about 50 miles south of Key West, 

FL, where it downed trees and produced storm tides of up to five feet in 

parts of the Florida Keys. 170 

21 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) had 4 HH-60s and 6 crews on alert for 

Hurricane Rita. 171 

21 Sep 05 A 514 th AMW (McGuire AFB, NJ) KC-10 aircraft moved (18) security 

force personnel from the 514 th Security Force Squadron (SFS); (7) from 

the 913 th AW (Willow Grove ARS, PA); and, (13) security force 

168 Photo and caption (U), Lt. Col. Bob Thompson, “Rebuilding of Hurricane Hunters’ Home Begins,” 

USAF photo, 20 Sep 05, available at http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&page=3 on 8 

Nov 05. 


170 Report (U), National Hurricane Center, “Monthly Tropical Weather Summary,” 1 Oct 05, available at 

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_sep.shtml? on 8 Nov 05. 


40

personnel from the 507 th ARW (Tinker AFB, OK) to Lackland AFB, TX, 

for Hurricane Katrina support. 172 

21 Sep 05 Two C-130Hs aircraft from the 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) moved (18) 

security force personnel from the 482 nd Security Force Squadron (SFS); 

(13) from the 434 th AW (Minneapolis-St Paul, WI); (7) from the 927 th 

ARW (Selfridge ANGB, MI); and, (13) security policemen from the 445 th 

AW (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH) to Lackland AFB, TX for Hurricane 

Katrina support. 173 


Major Cathy Miller, co-pilot and aircraft commander for an aerial spray flight over Louisiana, goes 

through her preflight checklist shortly before takeoff from Duke Field, FL. Air Force Reserve 

Command crews unanimously agreed that the Gulf Coast missions were their most difficult aerial 

spray flights to date. (USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Shawn David McCowan) 175 

21 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) completed one mission and had two 

ongoing against Hurricane Rita. 176 

22 Sep 05 Hurricane Rita was a Category 5 hurricane with winds pushing to a 

maximum intensity of 175 miles per hour. Its central pressure was 

measured at 897 mb, the third lowest registered in the Atlantic basin. 177 




175 Photo and Caption (U), TSgt Shawn David McCowan, “Reservists Reducing Hurricane-borne Insects,” 

USAF photo available at http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=spray&btnG.x=5&btnG.y=9 on 7 

Nov 05. 




41

22 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) had 4 HH-60s and 6 crews on alert for 


22 Sep 05 The Headquarters AFRC Crisis Action Team (CAT)(Robins AFB, GA) 

continued 24/7 around-the-clock operations. AFRC received modification 

#11 update to execute order for Hurricane Rita (MOD 11 to EXORD – 

Hurricane Rita.) 179 

23 Sep 05 The 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) employed one C-130J in moving 

humanitarian supplies from March ARB, CA, to Baton Rouge, LA. 180 

23 Sep 05 Two aeromedical evacuation crews from the 934 th AW (Minneapolis-St 

Paul IAP ARS, WI) and one crew from the 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, 

TX) deployed to Southeast Texas Regional Airport, TX, to evacuate 

patients. 181 

23 Sep 05 The Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) placed one 910 th AW 

(Youngstown MAP, OH) C-130 crew in Bravo status. 182 

23 Sep 05 A 439 th AW (Westover ARB, MA) C-5 moved 3 HH-60s from Patrick 

AFB, FL, to Laughlin, TX. 183 

23 Sep 05 The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) moved 2 HH-60s from Davis-Monthan 

AFB, AZ, to Laughlin, TX. 184 

23 Sep 05 The 302 nd WG (Peterson AFB, CO) completed two missions against 


23 Sep 05 No report on patients moved from aeromedical evacuation crew 

management cell (CMC) due to varying destinations of multiple missions 

for the day. CMC did not launch any of these missions. A 

communications team at South East Texas Regional Airport, TX, reported 

120 patients moved as of 0946 Local CDT. All assets were to be out of 

Beaumont, TX , by 1200 Local. 186 

23 Sep 05 Ten aeromedical evacuation crews (2 from the 932 nd AW (Scott AFB, IL); 

4 from the 452 nd AMW (March ARB, CA); 3 from the 459 th ARW 


179 Bfg (S), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED. 








42

(Andrews AFB, MD); and 1 from the 445 th AW (Wright-Patterson AFB, 

OH) deployed to Lackland AFB, TX. 187 

23 Sep 05 As of this date, AFRC Aeromedical Evacuation personnel had moved a 

total of 2612 patients. Four personnel from the 433 rd AW and an 

aeromedical evacuation liaison team with 13 personnel were deployed to 

New Orleans, LA, and 22 AFRC personnel, including three 15-person 

crews and one 7-person crew management cell (908 th AW Maxwell AFB, 

AL), were deployed to Lackland AFB, TX. 188 

23 Sep 05 Five HH-60s from the 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) were available for 

tasking. Aerial spray operations were cancelled for weather. The 433 rd 

AW (Lackland AFB, TX) cancelled its evacuation plan. 189 

Volunteers from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, GA, shuttle a patient who arrived there 

on a C-141 assigned to Air Force Reserve Command’s 445 th Airlift Wing, Wright- 

Patterson Air Force Base, OH. About 100 patients were airlifted to Dobbins for 

transportation to hospitals in Atlanta, one of 17 cities in the country taking 2,500 

Hurricane Katrina victims. At Dobbins, the patients went to the 80 th Aerial Port 

Squadron building where Veterans Administration medical people assessed their 

conditions before they were transported by ambulance to one of 38 Atlanta 

hospitals. (USAF photo by Bo Joyner) 190 


188 Bfg (S) “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED. 

189 Bfg (S) “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED. 

190 Photo and caption (U), Bo Joyner, “Refuge from the Storm,” AF photo available at 

http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=atlanta&btnG.x=14&btnG.y=6 on 8 Nov 05. 

43

Trees near Silsbee, TX, lie bent and broken after Hurricane Rita plowed through. The trees were in 

an area searched by the 349 th Air Expeditionary Group. The search-and-rescue unit, staging from 

here, is made up of active-duty and Reserve forces. (USAF photo by Technical Sergeant Jason 

Tudor) 191 

23 Sep 05 Hurricane Rita Relief Alerts: 

C-5: 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, TX) x 1 (3 currently flying 

missions) 4 total 

439 th AW (Westover ARB, MA) x 1 (1 currently at Laughlin, 

TX, with 3 HH-60s) 2 total 

C-141: 445 th AW (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH) x 1 currently flying 

aeromedical evacuations 

C-130: 440 th AW (General Mitchell IAP ARS, WI) x 2 

302 nd AW (Peterson AFB, CO) x 1 

934 th AW (Minneapolis-St Paul, MN) x 2 

191 Photo and caption (U), TSgt. Jason Tudor, “Search and Rescue,” USA photo, n. d., available at 

http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=rita&page=2 on 8 Nov 05. 

44

403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) x 2 currently flying 

911 th AW (Pittsburgh IAP ARS, PA) x 2 

HH-60 x 5 @ Laughlin AFB, TX 

•305 th RQS x 2 Ready to fly missions 

•301 st RQS x 3 In position 

* All Alerts were Bravo Alerts 

23 Sep 05 AFRC reported the following operations in support of Hurricane Katrina 

relief: 

AFRC Airlift as of 23 September 2005 


C-130 120 250.2 356 104.9 tons 

C-141 17 23 506 2 pallets: 25 tons 

C-5 105 255.4 880 1681 tons 

MC-130 27 79.2 42 13.5 tons H2O, MREs, Helo 

A/R 

HC 130 21 46.2 5 11 tons MREs and supplies 

C-9 10 23.2 129 5 tons 

C-17 113 234.5 2134 826.3 tons 

Tanker 5 8.2 56 10 pallets 

TOTAL 418 919.9 4108 2666.7 + Tons 

(Source: Bfg (S), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED.) 

AFRC Cumulative Rescue as of 23 September 2005 192 


HH-60G 89+ 285.5+ 1044 Saves N/A 

(Source: Bfg (S), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED.) 

24 Sep 05 Hurricane Rita made landfall around 2:30 a.m. CDT just east of the Texas- 

Louisiana border between Sabine Pass and Johnson’s Bayou as a Category 

3 hurricane with 120 mile per hour winds. It caused a devastating storm 

surge, flooding and wind damage to southwestern Louisiana and extreme 

southeastern Texas. It remained a tropical storm until it reached 

northwestern Louisiana late on 24 September. 193 

192 Final 3 HH-60s redeployed to Patrick from Jackson IAP, MS. 



45

24 Sep 05 A 452 nd AW (March ARB, CA) C-17 deployed PJs and equipment from 

Patrick AFB, FL, to Randolph AFB, TX. The 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, 

FL) had five HH-60s in place at Randolph and later this day it deployed 

one HC-130 from Patrick to Randolph. 194 

24 Sep 05 A C-141 aircraft from the 445 th Airlift Wing returned to Wright-Patterson 

AFB, OH, after evacuating 59 patients, including elderly Beaumont-area 

nursing home residents and three newborn babies, before Hurricane Rita 

struck Texas. Forty-two of the patients were on litters and one baby was 

in an incubator. “We were the last plane, period, out of Beaumont,” said 

Lt Col Steve Bastian, one of the three pilots from the 356 th Airlift 

Squadron, 445 th Airlift Wing, who flew the evacuation mission. “The 

airport and their tower were actually closed; however we were given 

permission to take off and were monitored by Houston.” 195 

24 Sep 05 A WC-130J mission was cancelled after Rita made landfall. 196 

24 Sep 05 The total number of patients moved by AFRC aeromedical evacuation 

members for Hurricane Rita Relief (Lackland AFB, TX, Crew Cell) was: 

414 Litter, 157 Ambulatory, 29 Attendants. 197 

24 Sep 05 The 917 th WG (Barksdale AFB, LA) completed Hurricane evacuation of 

seven B-52 aircraft to Dyess AFB, TX. 198 

24 Sep 05 A conference call between the President of the United States and a 403 rd 

WG (Keesler AFB, MS) WC-130 was scheduled to take place. The call 

was unsuccessful due to radio problems, but the crew was able to receive a 

text message via satellite communications (SATCOM.) 199 

26 Sep 05 Government officials credited better stockpiling of supplies, early 

evacuations, and a larger military presence with saving lives during 


26 Sep 05 Two HH-60s deployed from Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, to Randolph AFB, 

TX, and one HC-130 deployed from Patrick AFB, FL, to Randolph AFB, 

TX. 201 


195 Article (U), TSGT Charles K. Miller, 445 th PA, “Wing Members Evacuate Patients from Rita’s Path,” 

Buckeye Flyer, vol. 44, no. 11, (November 2005). 





200 Art (U), “Officials: Rita Response Used Lessons Learned from Katrina,” USA Today, 26 Sep 05, 

available at http://www.usatoday.com/rita-katrina-lessons_x.htm on 21 Nov 05. 


46

27 Sep 05 One C-130J from the 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) moved 25 920 th RQW 

PJs from Randolph AFB, TX, back to Patrick AFB, FL. 202 

27 Sep 05 The 917 th WG (Barksdale AFB, LA) redeployed four B-52s from Dyess 

AFB, TX, to home station. 203 

27 Sep 05 Air Mobility Command’s Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC/XOPA) 

received approval from the Director of Mobility Forces for Hurricane 

support to reduce aeromedical evacuation members “Lay Down.” AFRC 

aeromedical evacuation forces from the 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, TX); 

452 nd AMW (March ARB, CA); 932 nd AW (Scott AFB IL) and the 934 th 

AW (Minneapolis-St Paul IAP ARS, MN) began redeployments to home 

stations. 204 

27 Sep 05 The death toll for Hurricane Rita reached nine. 205 

28 Sep 05 AFRC current aeromedical evacuation “Lay Down” at Lackland AFB, TX 

was as follows: 33 Personnel (Crew Management Cells from the 433 rd 

AW, Lackland AFB, TX, and the 908 th AW, Maxwell AFB, AL); 3 

aeromedical evacuation crews from the 459 th ARW, Andrews AFB, MD; 

and 1 aeromedical evacuation command squadron also from the 433 rd AW 

Lackland AFB, TX. 206 

28 Sep 95 One 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) HC-130P was released to redeploy 

from Randolph to Patrick. Additionally, one 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, 

FL) HH-60 was released to redeploy to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. 207 

28 Sep 05 A HQ AFRC Rescue functional area manager (FAM) deployed to Joint 

Task Force (JTF) Rita. 208 

28 Sep 05 As of this date one aeromedical evacuation liaison team consisting of four 

personnel was at New Orleans, and 96 personnel aeromeds were at 

Lackland AFB, TX, including 1 crew management cell, 13 crews, 1 

staging flight, and 1 command element. Total patients included 414 litter, 

157 ambulatory, and 29 attendants. 209 




205 Art (U), “Death Toll Climbs in Aftermath of Rita,” USA Today, available at 

http://www.usatoday.com/2005-09-26-rita_x.htm on 21 Nov 05. 





47

28 Sep 05 As of this date, all members of the 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) 

personnel were accounted for. 210 

28 Sep - Four volunteers from Air Reserve Personnel Center supported Joint 

28 Oct 05 Task Force Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief at Tyndall AFB, FL, and 

Lackland AFB, TX. 211 

29 Sep 05 A WC-130J aircraft from 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) flew one storm 

tasking on 28 Sep and one on this date. 212 

29 Sep 05 Four of the 920 th RQW HH-60s were released to redeploy to Patrick AFB, 

FL. 213 

29 Sep 05 One C-130H from the 440 th AW (Gen Mitchell IAPARS, WI) redeployed 

32 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, FL) personnel from Randolph AFB, TX, to 

Patrick AFB, FL. Another C-130H from the 440 th AW redeployed 5 

personnel from the 920 th RQW, including three pallets and 1 piece of 

rolling stock (R/S) from Randolph AFB, TX, to Davis-Monthan AFB, 

AZ. 214 

29 Sep 05 Air Mobility Command Tanker Airlift Control Center released all Bravo 

alerts. 215 

29 Sep 05 Two WC-130Js from the 403 rd WG (Keesler AFB, MS) launched to 

investigate the area of 17N 84W for the makings of a new depression. 216 

30 Sep 05 A 445 th AW (Wright-Patterson AFB, OH) C-141C redeployed 10 pallets 

and rolling stock (R/S) from Randolph AFB, TX, to Patrick AFB, FL. 217 

30 Sep 05 A 440 th AW C-130J redeployed (18) 439 th AW (Westover ARB, MA) 

Security Force personnel and (13) 459 th AW (Andrews AFB, MD) 

security police and their weapons and ammunition from New Orleans, LA, 

to home stations. 218 

30 Sep 05 Four HH-60s rotated to Ellington, TX, for 10-hour alerts. 219 


211 Summary (U), HQ AFRC/ARPC, “Katrina Mission Support Summary by AFRC Directorate,” n. d. 









48

1 Oct 05 US NORTHCOM tasking initiated the 35 th Combat Communications 

Squadron (CCS)(AFRC), Tinker AFB, OK, into relief and sustainment 

actions by sending 6 mobile communications vehicles, 4 trailers loaded 

with generators, and 12 unit technicians to the Naval Air Station Joint 

Reserve Base, New Orleans, LA. The vehicles convoyed for 3 days 

arriving on 3 Oct 05. For the next 41 days, 3 rotating, 12-person crews 

assisted in providing ground communications for home station and 

deployed rescue/relief forces at the Joint Reserve Base. This was the 

newly formed 35 th CCS first-ever “real world” deployment. 220 

3 Oct 05 Seventeen Services members were still in place at Keesler AFB for 

Hurricane Katrina, eight from the 914 th AW (Niagara Falls IAPARS, NY) 

and nine from the 927 th ARW (Selfridge ANGB, MI.) 221 

3 Oct 05 The 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, TX) had flown 20 missions and 62.1 

hours, carrying 532 passengers and 614.5 tons or cargo for Hurricane 

Katrina relief and 6 missions for 33.7 hours, carrying 596 passengers and 

14.5 tons of cargo for Hurricane Rita relief. The 446 th AW (McChord 

AFB, WA) had flown 4 missions for 81.2 hours since the beginning of 

relief efforts moving 556 passengers and 741.9 tons of cargo. The 452 nd 

AMW (March ARB, CA) had carried a total of 244,820 pounds in cargo 

and 196 passengers for Hurricane Katrina relief. The 931 st ARG 

(McConnell AFB, KS) had three crews and 1 KC 135R on alert. It had 

flown 3 missions for 17.0 hours flown. The 940 th ARW (Beale AFB, CA) 

had one crew and one KC-135 on alert for Katrina relief efforts. The 919 th 

SOW (Duke Field, FL) had deployed two C-130H aircraft with 

maintenance and operations staff to Duke Field in support of Katrina 

relief. 222 

19 Oct 05 In the Caribbean, Hurricane Wilma became a Category 5 hurricane with a 

minimum central pressure estimated at 882 mb, the lowest pressure on 

record for a hurricane in the Atlantic basin. At its maximum intensity, 

Wilma contained winds estimated at 175 miles per hour. 223 

19 Oct 05 Hurricane condition 3 was declared at Homestead ARB, FL, due to the 

approach of Hurricane Wilma. Aircraft evacuation began. Four jets 

remained at Dobbins ARB, GA, and two jets at Carswell JRB, TX. The 

220 Report (U), 35 th Combat Communications Squadron, “Joint Task Force-Katrina, After Action Report,” 

28 Nov 05. 

221 SITREP (S/Reason: 1.5(a), DECL 4 Oct 2011) , “AFRC SITREP,” 3 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

222 SITREP (S/Reason: 1.5(a), DECL 4 Oct 2011) , “AFRC SITREP,” 3 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

223 Report (U), National Hurricane Center, “Monthly Tropical Weather Summary,” 1 Nov 05, available at 

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_oct.shtml? on 8 Nov 05. 

49

last four aircraft were to depart 19 October. The remaining aircraft were to 

be secured in hangars. 224 

Trucks began arriving 20 October 2005 at Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL, to pre-position water, 

military rations, ice and tarps for the post-hurricane relief effort. They delivered supplies from Key 

West to northern Miami-Dade County after the storm passed. (USAF photo by Lisa M. Macias) 225 

21 Oct 05 The 926 th FW’s recall status was as follows: 

Total percentage of military accounted for: 99% 

Total percentage of title 5 civilians accounted for: 98% 

Supervisors of the remaining 2 Title V civilians and 2 traditional reservists 

were diligently attempting to contact their employees. Unit personnel were 

sent to their physical addresses to see if they were home and what the 

condition their property was in. HQ AFRC Personnel accessed emergency 

record data and attempted to contact family members to see if they have 

been in contact with our members and to provide current contact 

information to us. 226 

224 

SITREP (S/Reason: 1.5(a), DECL 22 Oct 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 21 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

225 

Photo and Caption (U), Lisa M. Macias, “Wilma Relief,” USAF photo, 20 Oct 05, available at 

http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=12301285 on 13 Dec 05. 

226 


UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06; and HQ 

AFRC/DPXX Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 28 Dec 05. 

50

Members of the 70 th Aerial Port Squadron, Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL, unload relief aid for 

victims of Hurricane Wilma from a C-17 Globemaster III. (USAF photo by Staff Sergeant Jacob N. 

Bailey) 227 

22 Oct 05 A team of National Science Foundation investigators charged to report to 

the US Senate found a number of problems with the New Orleans levees. 

Raymond Seed, a UC Berkley engineering professor, led one team. He 

noted that at least two and possibly three levee failures resulted from 

design flaws involving weak soil conditions rather than from a storm 

surge. Robert Bea, another UC Berkeley engineering professor and 

investigating team member said the levees failed because they were 

designed and built without adequate safety margins. The team also 

criticized the overall architecture of the New Orleans flood control system 

and maintenance practices. 228 

24 Oct 05 After battering Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Hurricane Wilma made 

landfall near Cape Romano in southwest Florida as a Category 3 

hurricane. It crossed Florida in less than five hours, moving into the 

Atlantic just north of Palm Beach as a Category 2 hurricane. It reached 

Category 3 status again just off the central eastern coast of Florida and 

moved into the Atlantic. 229 

227 Photo and Caption (U), SSgt. Jacob N. Bailey, “Hurricane Wilma,” 27 Oct 05, available at 

http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=wilma&btnG.x=7&btnG.y=9 on 8 Nov 05. 

228 Art (U), Ralph Vartabedian and Stephen Braun, “System Failures seen in Levees,” Los Angeles Times, 

22 Oct 05, available at http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-na-levees22oct22,1,192280.story on 

10 Nov 05. 

229 Report (U), National Hurricane Center, “Monthly Tropical Weather Summary,” 1 Nov 05, available at 

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_oct.shtml? on 8 Nov 05. 

51

This satellite photo, provided by the Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt AFB, NE, shows the status 

of Hurricane Wilma as of 8:25 a.m. EST, on 24 October 2005. The image captures the Category 2 

storm off the coast of Florida, with the center of the storm's eye about 75 miles northeast from 

Miami. This photograph is actually a composite of two satellite images taken by a Defense 

Meteorological Satellite Program satellite. 230 

24 Oct 05 Intermittent circuit outages affected communication with Homestead 

ARB, FL, after the landfall of Hurricane Wilma. Electrical power and 

phone lines were inoperative throughout most of the base except for a few 

critical buildings with back-up generator power. The airfield was able to 

operate under visual flight rules (VFR) later that day. Homestead 

leadership requested personnel and generators to support base functions – 

HQ AFRC Civil Engineers worked the request 231 

25 Oct 05 The 349 th Security Force Squadron (Travis AFB, CA) had 3 members 

deployed for 60 days in support of Hurricane Katrina relief. Their 

estimated return date was 7 Dec 05. 232 

230 

Photo and caption, USAF Photo, “Wilma’s Progress,” available at 


231 


UNCLASSIFIED. 

232 

SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 26 Oct 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 25 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

52

Refueling specialists from the 482 nd Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL, have refueled 

more than 200 tractor trailers engaged in Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane 

Wilma relief. Their operation began October 20, 2005. (USAF photo by Lisa M. Macias) 233 

25 Oct 05 The 433 rd AW flew 10 C-5 missions for a total of 62.1 hours flown. They 

moved 532 passengers and 614.5 tons of cargo in support of Hurricane 

Katrina relief. The wing also flew 6 C-5 missions for 33.7 hours in 

support of Hurricane Rita relief. They transported 596 passengers and 

14.5 tons of cargo. 234 

25 Oct 05 The 446 th AW (McChord AFB, WA) had flown 5 missions for 137.2 hours 

since the beginning of relief efforts. It had transported 635 passengers and 

567.2 tons of cargo since the beginning of relief efforts. 235 

25 Oct 05 Communications system circuits were stable and operational at Homestead 

ARB, FL, but the command section had relocated due to roof damage at 

the south end of building 360. The base had no commercial power and all 

buildings that were operational were on generator power. 236 

27 Oct 05 The 926 th FW (New Orleans JRB, LA) reported that it still could not locate 

four personnel, two Title V civilians and two traditional reservists. Unit 

efforts continued. 237 

233 Photo and Caption (U), Lisa M. Macias, “Hurricane Wilma Relief,” Air Force Print News (AFPN), 20 

Oct 05, available at http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=wilma&btnG.x=7&btnG.y=9 on 8 Nov 

05. 

234 SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 26 Oct 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 25 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 


UNCLASSIFIED. 


UNCLASSIFIED. 


UNCLASSIFIED. 

53

27 Oct 05 AFRC flew C-130H hurricane relief missions for 100.7 hours, carrying 

32.5 tons of cargo and 431 passengers; one C-5 mission for 1.4 hours with 

four passengers; and four HC-130 missions for 6.6 hours. 238 

Master Sergeant Dave Delgado (left) directs a K-loader operator as he unloads 26,000 pounds of 

prepackaged meals from a C-5 Galaxy. Sergeant Delgado, a loadmaster assigned to the 433 rd Airlift 

Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, TX, participated in the humanitarian relief effort. (USAF photo by 

Staff Sergeant Jacob N. Bailey) 239 

27 Oct 05 Commercial power had been restored at Homestead ARB, FL and all 

communication networks were operational. 240 

27 Oct 05 Eleven personnel from the Airlift Control Flight (ALCF), Aerial Port 

Squadron (APS), and Operations (OPs) deployed from the 433 rd AW 

(Lackland AFB, TX) to Homestead to support Hurricane Wilma airflow 

into and out of Homestead ARB. Two ALCF vehicles and the ALCF 

Mobile Air Reporting Communications (MARC) transport were also 

deployed to Homestead. 241 

28 Oct 05 The two traditional reservists from the 926 th FW (New Orleans JRB, LA) 

were finally located but the two civilians remained unaccounted for. 242 

238 SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 28 Oct 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 28 Oct 05, material is 

UNCLASSIFIED per 22 AF/CAT Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 11 Jan 06. 

239 Photo and Caption (U), SSgt. Jacob N. Bailey, “Hurricane Wilma,” 27 Oct 05, available at 



UNCLASSIFIED. 


UNCLASSIFIED. 


UNCLASSIFIED. 

54

28 Oct 05 A 25K loader and a 10K forklift were deployed from the 433 rd AW 

(Lackland AFB, TX) to Homestead ARB, FL. 243 

28 Oct 05 The 940 th ARW had one KC-135 and crew on alert to support Hurricane 

Katrina Relief efforts. 244 

29 Oct 05 The FEMA/NORTHCOM/TRANSCOM flow from Ft. Worth NAS, TX, 

to Homestead ARB, FL, ended with a Jackson, MS, C-17 mission. There 

were no further commercial missions scheduled. In less than 36 hours, the 

flights moved 840,000 pounds of humanitarian aid, nearly half by AFRC 

aircraft. 245 

30 Oct 05 The death toll for Hurricane Wilma reached 21 in Florida. 246 

31 Oct 05 HQ AFRC Civil Engineer support to Hurricane Wilma included providing 

26 engineers from five units on 31-day orders including Power Pro, 

Structures, Electricians, and Utilities support. The arranged Tyndall Civil 

Engineer Maintenance Inspection and Repair Team (CEMIRT) provided 

generators and power production personnel. Airlift transported 5 MEP-7 

(100KW) generators from 307 th Red Horse. Also airlifted were 

emergency airfield lighting systems and a technician from the training 

certification center (TCC) at Dobbins ARB, GA. This initiative enabled 

24-hour operations as requested by FEMA and the Adjutant General of 

Florida. 247 

31 Oct 05 AFRC Support for Hurricane Wilma relief was mainly directed to 

Homestead ARB, FL, but limited support was also provided to the 920 th 

RQW (Patrick AFB, FL.) Three electrical generators were moved from 

Barksdale AFB, LA, by the 908 th AW (Maxwell AFB, AL) and the 403 rd 

AW (Keesler AFB, MS) C-130s. Eight personnel from the 433 rd AW 

(Lackland AFB, TX) Tactical Airlift Control Element and Aerial Port 

Squadron (TALCE and APS) and the Mobility Air Reporting 

Communications (MARC) shelter were moved by a 315 th AW (Charleston 

AFB, SC) C-17. Civil Engineers provided personnel from several duty 

specialties including Power Pro, Structures, and Utilities. Equipment 

operations personnel flew in commercially from the following locations: 

243 

SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 29 Oct 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 28 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED. 

244 

SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 29 Oct 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 28 Oct 05, material used in 

UNCLASSIFIED per 4 AF Battle Staff Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 29 Dec 05. 

245 

E-mail (U), Lt. Col. Larry D. Lucas, TACC/RFR to SMSgt Al Lucas, AFRC/DOOM, “Hurrican[e] 

Wilma – AMC Flow Stopped,” 28 Oct 05. 

246 

Art (U), “Hurricane Wilma’s Death Toll Rises to 21 in Florida,” USAToday, 10-30-05, available at 

http://www.usatoday.com/2005-10-30-wilma-toll_x.htm on 21 Nov 05. 

247 

Bfg (U), AFRC/CVX, “Weekly Activity Report,” 4 Nov 05. 

55

8 from 919 th SOW (Eglin AFB Aux Field, FL) Civil Engineers 

5 from 908 th AW (Maxwell AFB, AL) Civil Engineers 

8 from 315 th AW (Charleston AFB, SC) Civil Engineers 

4 from 911 th AW (Pittsburgh IAP ARS, PA) Civil Engineers 

1 from the Training Certification Center (TCC) Staff at Dobbins 

ARB, GA 

The 94 th (Dobbins ARB, GA) Civil Engineer’s Emergency Airfield Light 

System (EALS) was moved by a 440th AW (General Mitchell IAP ARS, 

WI) C-130. Thirteen personnel, and material handling equipment (MHE) 

(25K and 10K loaders) from the 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, TX) Tactical 

Airlift Control Element and Aerial Port Squadron were moved by a 403 rd 

AW (Keesler AFB, MS) C-130. Nine personnel from the 94 th AW 

(Dobbins ARB, GA), radios, and communications and control (C2) ramp 

vehicles were moved by a 94 th AW C-130. Evacuations and 

redeployments of HH-60s and HC-130s for the 920 th RQW (Patrick AFB, 

FL) were supported by 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, TX) C-5s, the 403 rd 

AW (Keesler AFB, MS) C-130s and the 94 th AW (Dobbins ARB, GA) C- 

130s. 248 

31 Oct 05 AFRC flew 3 C-5 missions in support of Hurricane Katrina for 57.1 hours, 

carrying 609.3 tons of cargo and 124 passengers. 249 

31 Oct 05 The 482 nd FW (Homestead ARB, FL) received 1056 cases of meals ready 

to eat (MREs) from MacDill AFB, FL, to support the base in the aftermath 

of Hurricane Wilma. 250 

31 Oct 05 The 433 rd AW (Lackland AFB, TX) had flown 10 missions totaling 62.1 

hours, carrying 532 passengers and 614.5 tons of cargo in support of 

Hurricane Katrina relief efforts; 6 C-5 missions totaling 33.7 hours 

carrying 596 passengers and 14.5 tons of cargo; and 2 missions totaling 

11.7 hours carrying 68 tons of cargo in support of Hurricane Wilma. 251 

31 Oct 05 Seventeen operations and maintenance personnel from the 433 rd AW 

(Lackland AFB, TX) deployed to Homestead ARB, FL, to support 

Hurricane Wilma airflow into and out of the base. Two Airlift Control 

Flight (ALCF) vehicles, 1 ALCF Mobile Air Reporting Communications 

248 

Msg (U), Col. Thomas A Prior to Betty R. Kennedy, “Wilma Summary,” 4 Nov 05. 

249 

SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 32 Oct (sic) 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 31 Oct 05, material used in 

UNCLASSIFIED per 22 AF/CAT Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 11 Jan 06. 

250 

SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on 32 Oct (sic) 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 31 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06. 

251 


UNCLASSIFIED. 

56

(MARC) shelter, 1 25K loader, and 1 10K forklift remained deployed to 

Homestead ARB. 252 

31 Oct 05 The 446 th AW had flown a total of 5 missions totaling 137.2 hours since 

the beginning of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and moved 635 

passengers and 567.2 tons of cargo. 253 

31 Oct 05 The 940 th ARW had one KC-135R aircraft and crew on alert in support of 

Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. 

1 Nov 05 As of this date, 25 civilian deaths were attributed to Hurricane Wilma, 

including 6 in Florida. 

2 Nov 05 Engineers testified before the US Senate that the flooding in New Orleans 

occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina because faulty foundations 

for canal walls collapsed. 254 

4 Nov 05 One hundred percent of Air Force Reserve personnel had been accounted 

for in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 255 

4 Nov 05 As part of JTF Katrina support, 87 Security Force personnel requirements 

remained at Lackland AFB, TX. Their release was scheduled for 14 Nov 

05, with organic airlift being arranged for all 87 individuals on that 

date. 256 

14 Nov 05 Hurricane Katrina’s death toll reached 9 in FL, 1076 in LA and 230 in 

MS. It was numbered among the ten worst natural disasters ever to hit the 

United States, displacing almost two million people and causing damage 

estimated at up to $200 billion. Monetary damages alone were expected to 

exceed by five times the devastation caused by Hurricane Andrew. 257 

252 


UNCLASSIFIED. 

253 

SITREP (S/Reason 1.5(a), DECL on (32 Oct (sic.) 2011), “AFRC SITREP,” 31 Oct 05, material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED per 4 AF Battle Staff Email to HQ AFRC/CAT, “Tasker 5373,” 29 Dec 06. 

254 

Art (U), David Kesterbaum, “Flawed Walls Led to Flooding in New Orleans,: available at 

http://www.mpr.org/templates/story/story.pho?storyId=4986779 on 22 Nov 05. 

255 


256 


257 

Art (U), “LA Toll Rises as Evacuees Find Dead in Return to Homes,” 14 Nov 05, available at 

http://usatoday.com/news/nation .2005-11-14-Katrina-toll_x.htm on 21 Nov 05; Art (U), Ceci Connolly, 

“Katrina’s Emotional Damage Lingers,” Washington Post, 7 Dec 05, available at 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/AR2005120601594 on 13 Dec 05; Art (U), 

Associated Press, “Katrina Joins List of 10 Deadliest U.S. Disasters,” 14 Sep 05, available at 

http://www.livescience.com/forcesofnature/ap-050914_worst_disasters.html on 13 Dec 05; Art (U), James 

Wilson, Meteorologist, “Tropical Season 2005 Set Many Records,” 10 Dec 05, available at 

http://www.weather.com/newscenter/tropical/?from=wxcenter_news on 13 Dec 05; Art (U), Normand 

Forgues-Roy, “Was Katrina the Biggest, the Worst Natural Disaster in U.S. History?” 24 Oct 05, available 

at http://hnn.us/articles/17193.html on 1 Dec 05. 

57

14 Nov 05 A total of 1,468 Air Force Reservists were deployed to provide assistance 

in response to all four hurricanes from 25 August to 14 November 

2005. 258 

This number includes Traditional Reservists, Air Reserve Technicians, Air 

Guard and Reserve members, and Individual Mobilization Augmentees. 

Air Force Reserve Members Deployed Under Orders 

(Traditional Reservists, Air Reserve Technicians, Air Guard and Reserve, and 

Individual Mobilization Augmentees 

25 Aug – 14 Nov 2005 

AFSC/Function Hurricane 

Katrina 

Hurricane Rita Total 

Aerial Port 64 4 68 

Communications 45 3 48 

Engineers 35 0 35 

Support (Chaplain, 

Command Chief 

Master Sergeants, 

Family Support, 

Finance, First 

Sergeants, History, 

Legal, Manpower, 

Personnel, Public 

Affairs) 

85 6 91 

Logistics 281 52 333 

Medical 216 3 219 

Operations 413 77 490 

Security Forces 149 2 151 

Services 33 0 33 

Total 1321 147 1468 

(Source: E-mail (U), HQ AFRC/DPXX to HQ AFRC/HO, Eugene Vandeventer, 

“Katrina and Rita Support,” 22 Nov 05.) 

258 

E-mail (U), HQ AFRC/DPXX to HQ AFRC/HO, Eugene Vandeventer, “Katrina and Rita Support,” 22 

Nov 05 

58

AFRC Airlift as of 14 October 2005 


C-130 134 350.9 868 137 Tons 

C-141 18 24 565 25 Tons + 

C-5 119 522 1615 2304 Tons 

MC-130 27 79.2 42 13.5Tons + H20, MREs 

HC 130 21 46.2 5 11 Tons MREs 

C-9 10 23.2 129 5 Tons 

C-17 113 234.5 2134 826 

Tanker 5 8.2 56 10 Pallets 

TOTAL 457 1288.2 5414 3321.5+ 

(Source:Bfg (S), “AFRC SITBRIEF,” 23 Sep 05, and HQ AFRC/HO accumulated 

data from SITBRIEFs and SITREPs from 23 Sep-4 Nov 05; material used is 

UNCLASSIFIED.) 

53 rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (WRS) 

Hurricane Hunter Flights 

for Katrina, Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma 

Hurricane Sorties Hours 

Katrina 12 109.6 

Ophelia 18 166.6 

Rita 13 130.9 

Wilma 16 169.5 

TOTALS 59 576.6 

(Source: (U) Email, 403 rd WG Public Affairs, TSgt James Pritchett (Keesler AFB, MS) 

to HQ AFRC History Office, Eugene Vandeventer (Robins AFB, GA), “WC-130 Stats 

for Hurricanes Katrina, Ophelia, Rita, and Wilma,” 29 Nov 05.) 

Time 

Period 

12 Sep – 14 

Oct 05 

910 th AW Aerial Spray Flight’s Facts and Figures 

Insecticide Location Total Gal Total Fly Total 

Dispensed Time Acreage 

Dibrom Louisiana/Texas 14,313 191.4 Hrs 2.8 Million 

+ 

(Source: (U) Report, Major Breidenbaugh, 757 th Airlift Squadron, “Pest Management 

Professional’s Post Mission Report,” 1 Nov 05.) 

59

MEMORANDUM FOR 757AS/DO 

FROM: 757AS/DOS 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

757AS/AERIAL SPRAY FLIGHT 

YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE BASE 

VIENNA OH 44473-5924 

SUBJECT: Pest Management Professional’s Post Mission Report JTF Katrina/Rita 

1 November 2005 

1. SUMMARY 

On 8 September 2005, the 910 th AW, Aerial Spray Flight deployed to conduct aerial 

spray operations for mosquito and filth fly control in support of the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) Hurricane Katrina relief effort and were officially tasked to the 

Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina on 9 September 2005. Two spray aircraft, one spare aircraft, and 

three crews were placed at Duke Field, Florida. A total of 53 people were involved with the 

flying, entomology, maintenance, administrative, communication and life support issues relating 

to the mission. Following the landfall of Hurricane Rita (24 September), the State of Texas (TX) 

also requested mosquito control in counties affected by the storm. Still working from Duke Field, 

one plane sprayed in each state until Louisiana (LA) was complete, then both planes concentrated 

on completing the TX spray blocks. The mission was complete on 14 October 2005 and 

redeployment to Youngstown ARS, Ohio occurred on 18 October after spraying a total of 2.88 

million acres. 

2. BACKGROUND: 

Hurricane Katrina made landfall on 29 August near Buras, LA. Prior to reaching LA, it 

crossed Florida as a Category 1 storm. Gathering strength in the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina became 

a Category 5 storm and eventually made landfall south of New Orleans as a Category 4 storm 

with 145 mph winds. Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage as would be expected from 

such a powerful storm. High winds downed trees and destroyed homes, while heavy rain caused 

extensive flooding. When some levies in New Orleans collapsed, the City’s worst nightmare was 

realized as widespread flooding ensued. Water rushed into homes and overran water treatment 

facilities to the point where travel by boat became most efficient. Pre-hurricane evacuations had 

been incomplete in New Orleans and the flooding now exacerbated the evacuation problem and 

significantly increased the difficulty of relief efforts. One major concern was the potential for 

filth fly production from habitat created by fecal contamination, muck, trash, and animal 

carcasses. It was the filth fly concern that prompted the quick deployment of the Aerial Spray 

Flight. The secondary concern was that Louisiana already had a background of West Nile Virus 

(WNV) circulating in mosquito pools and birds. The potential for a serious encephalitis outbreak 

is increased by post-hurricane conditions. In particular, power outages and living in temporary 

shelters expose people to additional mosquito bites. By early September 62 cases of WNV had 

been reported in LA and Mississippi and, thus, mosquito control was considered a high priority in 

the strategy to protect public health. 

63

Attachment 2. Image of area sprayed during JTF Katrina/Rita September and October 2005 by USAF Aerial Spray Flight 

72

sprayed 13 Sept 

sprayed 14 Sept

Ill Winds: Air Force Reserve's Response to Hurricanes

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?