Just got back from New Orleans.
Things are much quieter down there now. The first day that I was in the TFR was the 7th. It was much quieter than the previous five days with only about 25 helos over the city at one time. The guys who got there on the 2nd said that there were thirty-five or more in the area at any given time. It was pretty confusing for a few days and we got a workout in the back no matter what our mission was jus looking out for traffic.
I don't see how those folks will ever be able to rebuild, 80% of the city was flooded with some of the nastiest water that I have ever smelled. Once areas began drying out, the city began to smell like death. Anyone who decides to try and rebuild has a VERY long road ahead of them.
Trigger-
Even though it is apples to Saigon's oranges, one of our crews evacuated over 400 people in one day. I'm certian that there were many more who did the same in those first few days.
Jon-
Hats off to the -47 crews they worked tirelessly slinging 30k sandbags to plug the breaches in the levies. I don't know if any of the 104th crews were a part of that, but it wouldn't surprise me at all. I think that all of the -47's got a turn at that one.
Mac