Helicopter rescues dominate news of "Katrina"
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
More on the recent helo ops:
_____________________________________________
'...While some fight the insurgency in the city, other carry on with rescue and evacuation operations. Helicopters are still pulling hundreds of stranded people from rooftops of flooded homes.
Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and police helicopters filled the city sky Friday morning. Most had armed soldiers manning the doors. According to Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremy Grishamn, a spokesman for the amphibious assault ship Bataan, the vessel kept its helicopters at sea Thursday night after several military helicopters reported being shot at from the ground.
Numerous soldiers also told Army Times that they have been shot at by armed civilians in New Orleans. Spokesmen for the Joint Task Force Headquarters at the Superdome were unaware of any servicemen being wounded in the streets, although one soldier is recovering from a gunshot wound sustained during a struggle with a civilian in the dome Wednesday night.
“I never thought that at a National Guardsman I would be shot at by other Americans,” said Spc. Philip Baccus of the 527th Engineer Battalion. “And I never thought I’d have to carry a rifle when on a hurricane relief mission. This is a disgrace.”'
___________________________________________
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1077495.php
_____________________________________________
'...While some fight the insurgency in the city, other carry on with rescue and evacuation operations. Helicopters are still pulling hundreds of stranded people from rooftops of flooded homes.
Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and police helicopters filled the city sky Friday morning. Most had armed soldiers manning the doors. According to Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeremy Grishamn, a spokesman for the amphibious assault ship Bataan, the vessel kept its helicopters at sea Thursday night after several military helicopters reported being shot at from the ground.
Numerous soldiers also told Army Times that they have been shot at by armed civilians in New Orleans. Spokesmen for the Joint Task Force Headquarters at the Superdome were unaware of any servicemen being wounded in the streets, although one soldier is recovering from a gunshot wound sustained during a struggle with a civilian in the dome Wednesday night.
“I never thought that at a National Guardsman I would be shot at by other Americans,” said Spc. Philip Baccus of the 527th Engineer Battalion. “And I never thought I’d have to carry a rifle when on a hurricane relief mission. This is a disgrace.”'
___________________________________________
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1077495.php
Here's a some real Ladies with Character!
Nita LaGarde, 105, was pushed down the street in her wheelchair as her nurse's 5-year-old granddaughter, Tanisha Blevin, held her hand. The pair spent two days in an attic, two days on an interstate island and the last four days on the pavement in front of the convention center.
"They're good to see," LaGarde said, with remarkable gusto as she waited to be loaded onto a gray Marine helicopter. She said they were sent by God. "Whatever he has for you, he'll take care of you. He'll sure take care of you."
Nita LaGarde, 105, was pushed down the street in her wheelchair as her nurse's 5-year-old granddaughter, Tanisha Blevin, held her hand. The pair spent two days in an attic, two days on an interstate island and the last four days on the pavement in front of the convention center.
"They're good to see," LaGarde said, with remarkable gusto as she waited to be loaded onto a gray Marine helicopter. She said they were sent by God. "Whatever he has for you, he'll take care of you. He'll sure take care of you."
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
News of a helo crash from CNN:
"...Underscoring the dangerous nature of the operation, a rescue helicopter crashed northwest of downtown New Orleans Sunday evening. The pilot and crew were rescued, said those aboard another helicopter hovering above just after the crash.
The mangled Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma was lying on its side about four miles from downtown. The Coast Guard carried the crew from the scene on another helicopter. "
"...Underscoring the dangerous nature of the operation, a rescue helicopter crashed northwest of downtown New Orleans Sunday evening. The pilot and crew were rescued, said those aboard another helicopter hovering above just after the crash.
The mangled Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma was lying on its side about four miles from downtown. The Coast Guard carried the crew from the scene on another helicopter. "
FOX had a video of the helicopter....laying upon its side...landing gear down...doors open...airframe intact...bit of smoke from the starboard engine area...main rotor blades trashcanned...tail rotor seems to be there. Looked like the top heavy rascal got tired and lay down for a kip.
Glad no one got hurt.....odds are there will be more of these before it is over you bet.
They also played a video with the sounds of the gunfight in the background....pretty impressive number of rounds fired. Results were a bit disappointing however....some of the bad guys survived.
Glad no one got hurt.....odds are there will be more of these before it is over you bet.
They also played a video with the sounds of the gunfight in the background....pretty impressive number of rounds fired. Results were a bit disappointing however....some of the bad guys survived.
I'm not a helicopter pilot, but wish I were rich and could earn a rating on one, even own one.
Anyway, the more the US media exposes the good and the bad to the rest of the world (in a certain dusty foreign country, only the bad is exposed
), the greater the chance that other US states and cities will learn from the lack of a plan, despite having little chance they they would also deal with catastrophic flooding.
On the news today, an Army brigade or such (maybe National Guard from Louisiana?) which has special training for this disaster had reportedly been SENT TO IRAQ!!
Anyway, the more the US media exposes the good and the bad to the rest of the world (in a certain dusty foreign country, only the bad is exposed
), the greater the chance that other US states and cities will learn from the lack of a plan, despite having little chance they they would also deal with catastrophic flooding.On the news today, an Army brigade or such (maybe National Guard from Louisiana?) which has special training for this disaster had reportedly been SENT TO IRAQ!!
Last edited by Ignition Override; 5th Sep 2005 at 06:47.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: All The Places I Shouldnt Be
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Outwest - Its NOT an R model 61. First off it doesnt have a ramp on the back whereas the R model did.
It has the little round hole under the area where the back ramp should be, this is indicative of the Puma family.
The wheels sit differently in the sponsons.
The tail rotor pylon is different to the 61R.
Notice the engine intakes are also indicative of the Puma family.
Hope that helps.
It has the little round hole under the area where the back ramp should be, this is indicative of the Puma family.
The wheels sit differently in the sponsons.
The tail rotor pylon is different to the 61R.
Notice the engine intakes are also indicative of the Puma family.
Hope that helps.
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aceh vs Louisiana
I'll venture a guess that the surge of looting and crime we are witnessing is a result of large numbers of desperate homeless, no law enforcement, and lots of unoccupied stores full of attractive goods. I can't believe that race or politics or poverty are much of an issue, and I am sure that 99.9% of the homeless in New Orleans are NOT roaming the streets with guns. Probably sitting around feeling helpless and scared, more likely.
We should all be quietly proud and gratified that our brothers and sisters flying and winching in New Orleans are having such a positive impact on an otherwise terrible situation. Helicopters save lives.
We should all be quietly proud and gratified that our brothers and sisters flying and winching in New Orleans are having such a positive impact on an otherwise terrible situation. Helicopters save lives.
Last edited by emergov; 19th Jul 2010 at 13:23.
I wonder if this is the Puma that crashed....got this in the BW Newsletter this morning.
September 05, 2005
BLACKWATER JOINS HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORT!
This morning (September 1, 2005), Blackwater USA joined the ongoing relief effort in the Gulf Region devastated by Hurricane Katrina by dispatching a SA-330 Puma helicopter to help assist in evacuating citizens from flooded areas.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Erik Prince stated, "At this time, all Americans should band together and assist our countrymen who have been struck by this natural disaster."
Blackwater's aerial support services are being donated to the relief effort.
The following services are available:
Airlift Services
Security Services
Humanitarian Support Services
Logistics and Transportation Services
Sincerely,
Gary Jackson
President
Blackwater
September 05, 2005
BLACKWATER JOINS HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORT!
This morning (September 1, 2005), Blackwater USA joined the ongoing relief effort in the Gulf Region devastated by Hurricane Katrina by dispatching a SA-330 Puma helicopter to help assist in evacuating citizens from flooded areas.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Erik Prince stated, "At this time, all Americans should band together and assist our countrymen who have been struck by this natural disaster."
Blackwater's aerial support services are being donated to the relief effort.
The following services are available:
Airlift Services
Security Services
Humanitarian Support Services
Logistics and Transportation Services
Sincerely,
Gary Jackson
President
Blackwater
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Connecticut.
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Underscoring the dangerous nature of the operation, a helicopter crashed northwest of downtown New Orleans Sunday evening. The pilot and crew were rescued, said those aboard another helicopter hovering above just after the crash. The mangled Eurocopter AS 332 Super Puma was lying on its side about four miles from downtown. The Coast Guard carried the crew from the scene on another helicopter.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/04/kat...act/index.html
Video On Page.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Despite what the press say, it looks very much like a SA330 Puma to me and this photo looks like the aircraft involved.
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/265674/M/
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/265674/M/
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 5,197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
KATC News
BATON ROUGE, La.
Federal agents sent to check out complaints about gunfire after Hurricane Katrina heard shots fired at a military rescue helicopter and arrested the alleged gunman.
Twenty-year-old Wendell Bailey of New Orleans was arrested last night and charged with trying to damage aircraft and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He's being held in Baton Rouge pending an initial appearance before a federal magistrate.
U-S Attorney Jim Letten says agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were sent to the Algiers area on New Orleans' west bank after neighbors called W-W-L radio to report gunfire.
Agents heard shots from an apartment window as a helicopter flew over the neighborhood.
While waiting for more agents, they saw two men leave the building, talking about the shooting. The men ran back inside.
Federal agents say a search of the apartment turned up two revolvers.
Prosecutors say Bailey had previous convictions for possessing cocaine and distributing marijuana. If convicted, Bailey could get up to 20 years in prison on the aircraft charge and 10 years on the firearms charge.
Letten says the other man was released pending further investigation.
Twenty-year-old Wendell Bailey of New Orleans was arrested last night and charged with trying to damage aircraft and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He's being held in Baton Rouge pending an initial appearance before a federal magistrate.
U-S Attorney Jim Letten says agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were sent to the Algiers area on New Orleans' west bank after neighbors called W-W-L radio to report gunfire.
Agents heard shots from an apartment window as a helicopter flew over the neighborhood.
While waiting for more agents, they saw two men leave the building, talking about the shooting. The men ran back inside.
Federal agents say a search of the apartment turned up two revolvers.
Prosecutors say Bailey had previous convictions for possessing cocaine and distributing marijuana. If convicted, Bailey could get up to 20 years in prison on the aircraft charge and 10 years on the firearms charge.
Letten says the other man was released pending further investigation.
Puma info
Montana pilot in the Puma:
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index...35-chopper.inc
A little more about AL:
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.../25-copter.inc
The Blains have a great airfield in their backyard (couple hundred acres) outside Billings.
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index...35-chopper.inc
A little more about AL:
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.../25-copter.inc
The Blains have a great airfield in their backyard (couple hundred acres) outside Billings.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Rockytop, Tennessee, USA
Posts: 5,898
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
"Son, you don't own that plane, the taxpayers do. And you're writing checks your body can't cash!"
_________________________________________________
September 7, 2005
Navy Pilots Who Rescued Victims Are Reprimanded
By DAVID S. CLOUD
PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 6 - Two Navy helicopter pilots and their crews returned from New Orleans on Aug. 30 expecting to be greeted as lifesavers after ferrying more than 100 hurricane victims to safety.
Instead, their superiors chided the pilots, Lt. David Shand and Lt. Matt Udkow, at a meeting the next morning for rescuing civilians when their assignment that day had been to deliver food and water to military installations along the Gulf Coast.
"I felt it was a great day because we resupplied the people we needed to and we rescued people, too," Lieutenant Udkow said. But the air operations commander at Pensacola Naval Air Station "reminded us that the logistical mission needed to be our area of focus."
The episode illustrates how the rescue effort in the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina had to compete with the military's other, more mundane logistical needs.
Only in recent days, after the federal response to the disaster has come to be seen as inadequate, have large numbers of troops and dozens of helicopters, trucks and other equipment been poured into to the effort. Early on, the military rescue operations were smaller, often depending on the initiative of individuals like Lieutenants Shand and Udkow.
The two lieutenants were each piloting a Navy H-3 helicopter - a type often used in rescue operations as well as transport and other missions - on that Tuesday afternoon, delivering emergency food, water and other supplies to Stennis Space Center, a federal facility near the Mississippi coast. The storm had cut off electricity and water to the center, and the two helicopters were supposed to drop their loads and return to Pensacola, their home base, said Cmdr. Michael Holdener, Pensacola's air operations chief.
"Their orders were to go and deliver water and parts and to come back," Commander Holdener said.
But as the two helicopters were heading back home, the crews picked up a radio transmission from the Coast Guard saying helicopters were needed near the University of New Orleans to help with rescue efforts, the two pilots said.
Out of range for direct radio communication with Pensacola, more than 100 miles to the east, the pilots said, they decided to respond and turned their helicopters around, diverting from their mission without getting permission from their home base. Within minutes, they were over New Orleans.
"We're not technically a search-and-rescue unit, but we're trained to do search and rescue," said Lieutenant Shand, a 17-year Navy veteran.
Flying over Biloxi and Gulfport and other areas of Mississippi, they could see rescue personnel on the ground, Lieutenant Udkow said, but he noticed that there were few rescue units around the flooded city of New Orleans, on the ground or in the air. "It was shocking," he said.
Seeing people on the roofs of houses waving to him, Lieutenant Udkow headed in their direction. Hovering over power lines, his crew dropped a basket to pick up two residents at a time. He took them to Lakefront Airport, where local emergency medical teams had established a makeshift medical center.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Shand landed his helicopter on the roof of an apartment building, where more than a dozen people were marooned. Women and children were loaded first aboard the helicopter and ferried to the airport, he said.
Returning to pick up the rest, the crew learned that two blind residents had not been able to climb up through the attic to the roof and were still in the building. Two crew members entered the darkened building to find the men, and led them to the roof and into the helicopter, Lieutenant Shand said.
Recalling the rescues in an interview, he became so emotional that he had to stop and compose himself. At one point, he said, he executed a tricky landing at a highway overpass, where more than 35 people were marooned.
Lieutenant Udkow said that he saw few other rescue helicopters in New Orleans that day. The toughest part, he said, was seeing so many people imploring him to pick them up and having to leave some.
"I would be looking at a family of two on one roof and maybe a family of six on another roof, and I would have to make a decision who to rescue," he said. "It wasn't easy."
While refueling at a Coast Guard landing pad in early evening, Lieutenant Udkow said, he called Pensacola and received permission to continue rescues that evening. According to the pilots and other military officials, they rescued 110 people.
The next morning, though, the two crews were called to a meeting with Commander Holdener, who said he told them that while helping civilians was laudable, the lengthy rescue effort was an unacceptable diversion from their main mission of delivering supplies. With only two helicopters available at Pensacola to deliver supplies, the base did not have enough to allow pilots to go on prolonged search and rescue operations.
"We all want to be the guys who rescue people," Commander Holdener said. "But they were told we have other missions we have to do right now and that is not the priority."
The order to halt civilian relief efforts angered some helicopter crews. Lieutenant Udkow, who associates say was especially vocal about voicing his disagreement to superiors, was taken out of the squadron's flying rotation temporarily and assigned to oversee a temporary kennel established at Pensacola to hold pets of service members evacuated from the hurricane-damaged areas, two members of the unit said. Lieutenant Udkow denied that he had complained and said he did not view the kennel assignment as punishment.
Dozens of military aircraft are now conducting search and rescue missions over the affected areas. But privately some members of the Pensacola unit say the base's two available transport helicopters should have been allowed to do more to help civilian victims in the days after the storm hit, when large numbers of military helicopters had not reached the affected areas.
In protest, some members of the unit have stopped wearing a search and rescue patch on their sleeves that reads, "So Others May Live."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/07/na...al/07navy.html
_________________________________________________
September 7, 2005
Navy Pilots Who Rescued Victims Are Reprimanded
By DAVID S. CLOUD
PENSACOLA, Fla., Sept. 6 - Two Navy helicopter pilots and their crews returned from New Orleans on Aug. 30 expecting to be greeted as lifesavers after ferrying more than 100 hurricane victims to safety.
Instead, their superiors chided the pilots, Lt. David Shand and Lt. Matt Udkow, at a meeting the next morning for rescuing civilians when their assignment that day had been to deliver food and water to military installations along the Gulf Coast.
"I felt it was a great day because we resupplied the people we needed to and we rescued people, too," Lieutenant Udkow said. But the air operations commander at Pensacola Naval Air Station "reminded us that the logistical mission needed to be our area of focus."
The episode illustrates how the rescue effort in the days immediately after Hurricane Katrina had to compete with the military's other, more mundane logistical needs.
Only in recent days, after the federal response to the disaster has come to be seen as inadequate, have large numbers of troops and dozens of helicopters, trucks and other equipment been poured into to the effort. Early on, the military rescue operations were smaller, often depending on the initiative of individuals like Lieutenants Shand and Udkow.
The two lieutenants were each piloting a Navy H-3 helicopter - a type often used in rescue operations as well as transport and other missions - on that Tuesday afternoon, delivering emergency food, water and other supplies to Stennis Space Center, a federal facility near the Mississippi coast. The storm had cut off electricity and water to the center, and the two helicopters were supposed to drop their loads and return to Pensacola, their home base, said Cmdr. Michael Holdener, Pensacola's air operations chief.
"Their orders were to go and deliver water and parts and to come back," Commander Holdener said.
But as the two helicopters were heading back home, the crews picked up a radio transmission from the Coast Guard saying helicopters were needed near the University of New Orleans to help with rescue efforts, the two pilots said.
Out of range for direct radio communication with Pensacola, more than 100 miles to the east, the pilots said, they decided to respond and turned their helicopters around, diverting from their mission without getting permission from their home base. Within minutes, they were over New Orleans.
"We're not technically a search-and-rescue unit, but we're trained to do search and rescue," said Lieutenant Shand, a 17-year Navy veteran.
Flying over Biloxi and Gulfport and other areas of Mississippi, they could see rescue personnel on the ground, Lieutenant Udkow said, but he noticed that there were few rescue units around the flooded city of New Orleans, on the ground or in the air. "It was shocking," he said.
Seeing people on the roofs of houses waving to him, Lieutenant Udkow headed in their direction. Hovering over power lines, his crew dropped a basket to pick up two residents at a time. He took them to Lakefront Airport, where local emergency medical teams had established a makeshift medical center.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Shand landed his helicopter on the roof of an apartment building, where more than a dozen people were marooned. Women and children were loaded first aboard the helicopter and ferried to the airport, he said.
Returning to pick up the rest, the crew learned that two blind residents had not been able to climb up through the attic to the roof and were still in the building. Two crew members entered the darkened building to find the men, and led them to the roof and into the helicopter, Lieutenant Shand said.
Recalling the rescues in an interview, he became so emotional that he had to stop and compose himself. At one point, he said, he executed a tricky landing at a highway overpass, where more than 35 people were marooned.
Lieutenant Udkow said that he saw few other rescue helicopters in New Orleans that day. The toughest part, he said, was seeing so many people imploring him to pick them up and having to leave some.
"I would be looking at a family of two on one roof and maybe a family of six on another roof, and I would have to make a decision who to rescue," he said. "It wasn't easy."
While refueling at a Coast Guard landing pad in early evening, Lieutenant Udkow said, he called Pensacola and received permission to continue rescues that evening. According to the pilots and other military officials, they rescued 110 people.
The next morning, though, the two crews were called to a meeting with Commander Holdener, who said he told them that while helping civilians was laudable, the lengthy rescue effort was an unacceptable diversion from their main mission of delivering supplies. With only two helicopters available at Pensacola to deliver supplies, the base did not have enough to allow pilots to go on prolonged search and rescue operations.
"We all want to be the guys who rescue people," Commander Holdener said. "But they were told we have other missions we have to do right now and that is not the priority."
The order to halt civilian relief efforts angered some helicopter crews. Lieutenant Udkow, who associates say was especially vocal about voicing his disagreement to superiors, was taken out of the squadron's flying rotation temporarily and assigned to oversee a temporary kennel established at Pensacola to hold pets of service members evacuated from the hurricane-damaged areas, two members of the unit said. Lieutenant Udkow denied that he had complained and said he did not view the kennel assignment as punishment.
Dozens of military aircraft are now conducting search and rescue missions over the affected areas. But privately some members of the Pensacola unit say the base's two available transport helicopters should have been allowed to do more to help civilian victims in the days after the storm hit, when large numbers of military helicopters had not reached the affected areas.
In protest, some members of the unit have stopped wearing a search and rescue patch on their sleeves that reads, "So Others May Live."
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/07/na...al/07navy.html
I imagine those guys are in hot water now that the story has made the press. I would think the natural assumption is that they had something to do with it being leaked.
Sometimes both sides of the argument have valid reasons and are right.
Sometimes both sides of the argument have valid reasons and are right.
Navy reprimand
Reported tonight on CNN that Rumsfeld read the story and made an inquiry knowing that it was reported in error that the crews were reprimanded.
Seems that according to the report back to Rumsfeld the Navy praised the crews and the story was taken out of context.
Seems that according to the report back to Rumsfeld the Navy praised the crews and the story was taken out of context.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Age: 75
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
havoc,
Sounds like more cover-up on this whole situation, since the Times report carried supporting direct quotes from those involved. Is Rumsfeld saying that the reporter lied and these quotes are untrue? No, I am sure he made no direct explanation, just a spin ststement but if he gets you to think that way, he wins, again.
Like many things this administration says, I would take Rummy's observation as bull****.
Reporters say that the Bush administration refers to the press as "the reality-based community," since the administration knows that spin wins over truth, every time.
Sounds like more cover-up on this whole situation, since the Times report carried supporting direct quotes from those involved. Is Rumsfeld saying that the reporter lied and these quotes are untrue? No, I am sure he made no direct explanation, just a spin ststement but if he gets you to think that way, he wins, again.
Like many things this administration says, I would take Rummy's observation as bull****.
Reporters say that the Bush administration refers to the press as "the reality-based community," since the administration knows that spin wins over truth, every time.
USA Today story about helicopter response
USA Today story highlights the use of the helicopter in disasters but the lack of preplanning in availability and use.
So will the Feds think of something like the Civilian Reserve Force for helicopters? Or will this be something that the industry should propose?
PHI sent 5 aircraft (B407s), in addition to the S76 that was the hospital based aircraft in New Orleans already flying. They were told to stand down once the FAA started to get control. I believe the 5 retruned after FEMA contracts were implemented.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...forhelicopters
So will the Feds think of something like the Civilian Reserve Force for helicopters? Or will this be something that the industry should propose?
PHI sent 5 aircraft (B407s), in addition to the S76 that was the hospital based aircraft in New Orleans already flying. They were told to stand down once the FAA started to get control. I believe the 5 retruned after FEMA contracts were implemented.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...forhelicopters