Ill Winds: Air Force Reserve's Response to Hurricanes

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,
82 SITREP (S/ Reason: 1.5 (A), DECL: 7 Sep 2011), HQ AFRC CAT, “SITREP: OPER/NOBLE
EAGLE/ENDURING FREEDOM,” 2030/06 SEP 05, material used is UNCLASSIFIED per 610 RSG/SCB
to HQ AFRC/CAT Email, “Tasker 5373,” 9 Jan 06.
83 Photo and caption (U), SMSgt Elaine Mayo, “Hurricane Katrina,” USAF photo, n. d., available at
http://www.af.mil/photos/media_search.asp?q=katrina&page=2 on 8 Nov 05.
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