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Pentagon sends ships, helicopters to Gulf Coast
Been wondering if this would happen. Air American thinks Bush has been playing golf (which he didn't do). Instead, seems he has been giving some commands, activating our troops to our shores. He did it again, stayed quiet, but accessed the situation and issued the necessary ordersThe Pentagon effort includes the Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, whose helicopters have been flying relief missions from off the Louisiana coast. The ship, which resembles a small aircraft carrier, can produce large quantities of fresh water and is equipped with 600 hospital beds. Several other ships, including a rescue and salvage vessel and the USS Iwo Jima, another amphibious assault ship, are on their way from Norfolk, Virginia, the Navy said. The USNS Comfort, a floating hospital based in Baltimore, Maryland, will depart in coming days. A medical crew from Bethesda Naval Hospital will staff the ship. It has full hospital capabilities, including operating rooms and hundreds of beds. More than 125,000 National Guard troops have been activated in 19 states and Washington, D.C., to help local agencies with traffic control, security, distributing food, and search and rescue, a Guard spokesman said. The Coast Guard, whose crews have been assisting in the rescue of people stranded by high water in the New Orleans area, is recalling 550 reservists to assist in the relief effort. These guys are working shifts around the clock The Air Force said it was sending two large cargo planes to the region -- a C-5 Galaxy to Louisiana and a C-17 to Mississippi. Lots of search & rescue teams on board Besides humanitarian aid, the C-5 is bringing in swift boats, which can maneuver in shallow floodwaters to ferry rescue workers and victims. The C-17 is outfitted to evacuate 36 sick and injured people at a time. The Air Force also deployed MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to Mississippi for search and rescue efforts. The Pentagon's Northern Command was setting up a joint relief task force at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, to coordinate military efforts with FEMA, officials said. Let the Kos Kids weep, Bush is responding the best way he can, with our military resources. Thank you guys and gals, again. Posted by: Sherry 2005-08-31 |
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