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New York State has sent New York National Guard personnel and equipment to Florida to assist in rescue, response and recovery efforts as a result of Hurricane Wilma.
As Florida emergency response officials prepare for Hurricane Wilma, on Sunday morning the New York Army National Guard sent two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, at Florida's request, to preposition for aid in hurricane response.
Gov. George Pataki directed the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) to reach out to Florida state officials and offer hurricane response support, similar to what New York has offered and provided in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
"As the Gulf Coast prepared for yet another major storm, New York was ready once again to send help to our friends in Florida ," Governor Pataki said. "New York State's Emergency Management Office and National Guard continue to answer the call for assistance whenever or wherever help is needed. The thoughts and prayers of all New Yorkers are with the people of Florida as they brace for the impact of Hurricane Wilma."
The New York State Emergency Management Office continues to maintain contact with Gulf Coast states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to assess the situation and needs of impacted states. Once needs are identified, New York State is prepared to act.
New York State is a member of the national Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which establishes a mutual partnership with other states to provide aid and assistance in times of emergency. When states request assistance through EMAC, the compact facilitates member states sending personnel and equipment to help disaster relief efforts, augmenting the affected state's resources and additional assistance from the federal government.
Earlier this year, New York provided assistance in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Teams of experienced emergency management personnel, New York Air National Guard airlift support, Army National Guard helicopters and aviation personnel, a command and control team, communication personnel and equipment, security, engineer and transportation assets - a task force approaching 1,000 personnel in total were sent to the region following these two hurricanes.
New York Air National Guard aircrews have made more than 300 sorties, transported more than 2,000 passengers and equipment and supplies totaling nearly 4.1 million pounds in support of Hurricane Katrina and Rita recovery efforts.
Pataki also announced that Airmen and aircraft from the 105th Airlift Wing, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh, are currently flying missions in support of ongoing humanitarian relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that ripped through Pakistan.
Cargo already sent overseas onboard New York Air National Guard (NYANG) C-5s included desperately needed helicopters and rescue supplies. The C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest aircraft in the world. The aircraft's "T-tail" is more than 65 feet high, 247.8 feet long and has a wingspan of 222.8 feet.
The 105th transports a variety of cargo in C-5s, such as tanks and helicopters. The C-5's nose and aft doors open the full width and height of the cargo compartment, which allows loading and unloading from both ends of the aircraft.
10-24-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
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