PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command, in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is responding to Hurricane Harvey response efforts by actively supporting search and rescue operations, and posturing forces to quickly provide critical resources to the affected region.
Below is a roundup of the active-duty military support USNORTHCOM and its subordinate commands are providing:
New:
• DoD Air Force and Navy helicopters have completed 49 sorties resulting in more than 450 rescues.
• There are currently more than 400 DoD personnel working in support of Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
• Eleven Defense Logistics Agency high-end generators have arrived at Seguin, Texas. DLA also has 51 fully-operational personnel at FEMA’s Incident Support Base at Seguin.
• DLA delivered 14,500 sandbags to military bases in San Antonio.
Previous:
• Deployed a search and rescue package to include two SAR planners, nine SAR rotary wing aircraft, two fixed-wing aircraft, pararescue teams, and associated command and control elements. These SAR assets are deploying to Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, 5 Zodiak rescue boat crews joined to assist with rescue efforts.
• One-hundred Light/Medium Tactical Vehicles are moving from Fort Hood to Katy, Texas, to support the Red Cross in the movement of personnel and patients out of flooded areas in Houston.
• The DLA is providing 450,000 gallons of diesel and 50,000 gallons of gas to Fort Hood.
• Deployed an active duty military deputy and supporting staff in support of the Dual Status Commander (DSC) to Austin, Texas, as requested by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The DSC for Texas is Brig. Gen. Patrick Hamilton of the Texas Army National Guard.
• The DLA is managing the Randolph Incident Support Base at Seguin, Texas.
• Provided a Defense Coordinating Officer with a defense supporting staff element (DCO/DCE) to the FEMA Regional Response Coordinating Center Region VI, Joint Field Office, or other location as required, to provide DoD regional knowledge, requirements validation and liaison, including as necessary State/Emergency Preparedness Liaison teams.
• Provided Randolph-Seguin as an ISB/FSA to support forward distribution of supplies/equipment to the affected area.
USNORTHCOM is responsible for homeland defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities. And while USNORTHCOM leans forward to provide civil support assistance to FEMA for Hurricane Harvey, NORAD and USNORTHCOM remain fully capable of defending the homeland.
For current photos and video products of DoD response efforts please visit the DVIDS Hurricane Harvey feature page. https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/hurricaneharvey