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Katrina and the helicopter

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  • Member since
    November 2004
Katrina and the helicopter
Posted by DPD1 on Thursday, September 1, 2005 5:45 PM
Anybody who doesn't realize the importance of the helicopter in modern day life just needs to turn on the TV... Watching today, I've seen virtually every service and type of helicopter there is being used to help with the hurricane. Army Guard Blackhawks, USCG 60s & 65s, Navy 60s... All doing rescue. Chinooks doing evac. Army 60s are now dropping slung loads of sand into the levee breaches, and they've also brought in Marine 53s (probably off the ARGs now in the area) to also help plug the levees. They've even shown some Cobras patrolling the area, and there was what looked to be one of the HMX-1 60's. They have temporary evac heliports set up to fly rescued people into, and there's a constant flow of helos coming in and out of those spots. It's hard to imagine how much worse things would be without helicopters.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Custom Scanner, MURS, & Ham Antennas-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/
  • Member since
    November 2013
Posted by intruder_bass on Thursday, September 1, 2005 5:59 PM
I dont even think there is one who doesn't understand the importance of helicopters nowadays.... Hardly can imagine life without them ))))


Andy
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Thursday, September 1, 2005 8:46 PM
Even saw Army Guard Huey's, be would be lost without the helo's and thier crews
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: San Diego
Posted by Firehawk Ordie on Thursday, September 1, 2005 9:43 PM
I got to agree.
out here on the west coast my reserve squadron has gotten word of a possible deployment to an east coast aircraft carrier to support efforts there. i imagine hundreds of helos filling the skies around New Orleans.
  • Member since
    July 2003
Posted by UH-1V_CE on Friday, September 2, 2005 3:00 PM
The GA NG and LA NG have huey medevacs there as we speek. MS NG has Ch47s and active duty and other guard units have UH60s. That is just Army assets
Crew Chiefs keep em up!
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Modeling anything with "MARINES" on the side.
Posted by AH1Wsnake on Friday, September 2, 2005 3:23 PM
The Wisconsin ARNG has sent Huey medevacs as well.
Gotta love the Huey -- America's workhorse!

 

"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
  • Member since
    July 2013
Posted by DURR on Friday, September 2, 2005 8:03 PM
i think maybe helo model sales will increase some over the next 6 months because of the exposure the helo is getting with katrina
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Friday, September 2, 2005 10:46 PM
Yep, we're gearing up to go too... Looks like our Hook company is going down there. I'm trying to hitch a ride, but I won't know until Tuesday whether or not I'll have to ride with the ground convoy. Should be interesting...
"1-6 is in hot"
  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by DPD1 on Friday, September 2, 2005 10:54 PM
The President had quite a formation today... Looked like at least 3 53's, a 46, and two VIP 60's. I just wish things were better for the people down there... Definitely lots of misery.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Custom Scanner, MURS, & Ham Antennas-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Saturday, September 3, 2005 6:10 AM
The Marines have sent some CH-53E's. I'll be watching TV looking for my friends flying in and out.
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Georgia
Posted by Screaminhelo on Saturday, September 3, 2005 7:43 AM
Jon
I may see you there. Just got back from BNCOC yesterday and I am waiting on instructions/orders. Half of the company is there now. It looks like I will work maint. support in the rear for a week or two and then go down when we rotate a/c for heavy maint. I don't have any info on where our guys are right now, but if you see Blackhawks with the last three in gray, that is us.

Mac

Mac

I Didn't do it!!!

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Saturday, September 3, 2005 11:02 AM
Most people don't realize the maint behind all that flying. Good luck to all of you going or working behind the scene.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Moooooon River!
Posted by Trigger on Saturday, September 3, 2005 7:06 PM
Not unusual to see in just one camera shot of a part of town, half a dozen or so helicopters flying around picking up people or shuttling supplies. I just saw Pave Lows evacing people off an interstate and a couple of Pave Hawks today on the news too. Article on af.mil talked about Davis-Monthan sending a few HH-60Gs along with PJs to assist. I got an e-mail back from Salbando and even the AK ANG has sent a couple of C-130H3s.

Firehawk Ordie - I heard on the news night before last that it's the USS Harry S. Truman that will operate as a floating command and control center off the N.O. coast?
------------------------------------------------------------------ - Grant "Can't let that nest in there..."
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: San Diego
Posted by Firehawk Ordie on Saturday, September 3, 2005 10:44 PM
Trigger,
you got it, the call has gone out for helos and maintainers. The H-3 squadron next door is on 24 hour alert. Our squadron will know tuesday if we have to deploy.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Sunday, September 4, 2005 2:13 PM
I'm proud to say my gunner from Nam in the 174th AHC, Mike Gunnels is now a Crew Chief in the LA National Guard Medevac Unit out of Alexandria, LA and they were among the first helicopters hoisting Katrina survivors off the roof tops. I haven't been able to talk to Mike yet, but to see two old Vietnam Vets, Mike and the Huey saving lives gave me goose bumps! And neither one got any "press"! God Bless all those Aircrews! Especially the first ones in!

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    November 2004
Posted by DPD1 on Sunday, September 4, 2005 6:02 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Melgyver

I'm proud to say my gunner from Nam in the 174th AHC, Mike Gunnels is now a Crew Chief in the LA National Guard Medevac Unit out of Alexandria, LA and they were among the first helicopters hoisting Katrina survivors off the roof tops. I haven't been able to talk to Mike yet, but to see two old Vietnam Vets, Mike and the Huey saving lives gave me goose bumps! And neither one got any "press"! God Bless all those Aircrews! Especially the first ones in!


What is the age limit/requirments these days for a civilian to be able to still get in and possibly hold a position like that? Just curious. I assume it's pretty young, but I would love to do something like that. I do have limited Pilot time, but I would be happy just to ride.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Custom Scanner, MURS, & Ham Antennas-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Katrina and the helicopter
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Sunday, September 4, 2005 6:02 PM
Mac,

I'll keep an eye out for you. If you see anyone wearing Keystone shoulder patches, I'll probably be close by. Just look for the clueless 2LT in the ACUs. Wink [;)]

"1-6 is in hot"
  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Georgia
Posted by Screaminhelo on Sunday, September 4, 2005 7:42 PM
Just got the call today to saddle up Miss Piggy and get the pride of the fleet in action tomorrow. Just look for a tall goofy crewchief around in the middle of a bunch of pig patches. I'm the one with an Atlanta Falcon and a Wookie on his visor cover.

I'll see y'all when I get back.

Mac

Mac

I Didn't do it!!!

  • Member since
    June 2005
Posted by 1st_combat_comm on Sunday, September 4, 2005 8:45 PM
Good luck to all and god bless!! I wish I were going, but gotta pay the rent. Again thank you guys for going down there!!
Rich 1st Combat Communications Squadron Alummi Air Traffic Control And Landing Shop
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: phoenix
Posted by grandadjohn on Sunday, September 4, 2005 9:14 PM
Take care you guy's, wish I was young again and could be there with you.
PS, One helo down(civi) in LA, no injuries from what I gather
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, September 4, 2005 10:41 PM
Just saw on CNN that one of the rescue helos in NO just went down.

"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. "

Sounds like the crew got out O.K. God speed to all the rescue crews out there doing God's Work!

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, September 4, 2005 11:54 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by ridleusmc

The Marines have sent some CH-53E's. I'll be watching TV looking for my friends flying in and out.

Currently 2 from 464, 2 from 461 and 2 from a squadron I forget at the moment. All six are staged at P'Cola and operating in the Biloxi area at this time.
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Belgium
Posted by Awood23 on Monday, September 5, 2005 12:26 AM
who's flying super pumas in New Orleans?
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/Awood23/DarkSideBadge.jpg "your' not trying if your not cheating" "no one ever won a war by dying for his country, he won it by making the other poor bugger die for his" 'never before have so many owed so much to so few" 1/48 Spitfire %80
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: 40 klicks east of the Gateway
Posted by yardbird78 on Monday, September 5, 2005 1:23 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by davsteph

QUOTE: Originally posted by ridleusmc

The Marines have sent some CH-53E's. I'll be watching TV looking for my friends flying in and out.

Currently 2 from 464, 2 from 461 and 2 from a squadron I forget at the moment. All six are staged at P'Cola and operating in the Biloxi area at this time.


davsteph, Sign - Welcome [#welcome] to the forum. Have you heard anything more from Tom?

Darwin, O.F. Alien [alien]

 ,,

The B-52 and me, we have grown old, gray and overweight together.

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 5, 2005 1:31 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by yardbird78

QUOTE: Originally posted by davsteph

QUOTE: Originally posted by ridleusmc

The Marines have sent some CH-53E's. I'll be watching TV looking for my friends flying in and out.

Currently 2 from 464, 2 from 461 and 2 from a squadron I forget at the moment. All six are staged at P'Cola and operating in the Biloxi area at this time.


davsteph, Sign - Welcome [#welcome] to the forum. Have you heard anything more from Tom?

Darwin, O.F. Alien [alien]


Negative. "D" said he called her at 2400 fri night. Long days for the guys right now.
Good video of Big Iron yesterday and last night though.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 5, 2005 5:56 AM
Good luck to all our helo crews out there!!! We're supporting you! Smile [:)]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 5, 2005 11:19 AM
I notice the Air Force flying their Safety Orange and White Hueys. Also noticed a downed orange Puma that had been doing animal rescues
Ch
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: 40 klicks east of the Gateway
Posted by yardbird78 on Monday, September 5, 2005 1:18 PM
Check out this TIME news story for an article on the Marine CH-53E from MCAS New River, NC.
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1101340,00.html

Darwin, O.F. Alien [alien]

 ,,

The B-52 and me, we have grown old, gray and overweight together.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Georgia
Posted by Screaminhelo on Monday, September 5, 2005 8:23 PM
#@!%$&^
THEY TOOK MISS PIGGY!!!

That's what I get for not being there when things went down, the sent my bird with another crew. I get stuck with Jezebel and all of her problems! Back at the house now and will try to give Jezebel a good quick kick in the a## tomorrow and get down there.

Mac

Mac

I Didn't do it!!!

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Aaaaah.... Alpha Apaches... A beautiful thing!
Posted by Cobrahistorian on Monday, September 5, 2005 9:00 PM
OH NO! Don't worry Mac, I'm sure she'll get you there and get the job done just fine. Maybe she just needs some extra TLC. Wink [;)]

Good luck, stay safe and hopefully I'll see ya down there.
"1-6 is in hot"
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