Posted on another site from someone actually there. Please note the address for mail: Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2005 19:09:50 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Hurricane KATRINA - From Rex Dear all, Finally have a minute to come up for air and let you know what we are accomplishing here in Mississippi. The mission base is located at Jackson. This is the Mississippi wing headquarters. Finally the power and other services are restored and for the past several days there is air conditioning, etc. Jackson sustained minor damage. The biggest problem is fuel. Upon arrival last Sat morning, after an all night drive, there was no gas for CAP or personal cars and most missions being tasked on a "how much fuel will it take" basis. Came from Iowa bearing 165 gal of gas, generators, food and water. In town, most everything is back open in the community, however we operate with a contaminated city water supply. At least we can shower now and use the toilets! MG Pineda arrived last night. This morning he flew to LA to tour the Baton Rouge command post. Mission base has fuel, food and water, we are at ops normal status. It's been a number of years since I've eaten MRE's continually, but with the restraraunts re-opening and the gifts received we are now eating well. In the field, we have three forward command posts. The first of these are at Stennis airport, on the west side of the state down by the coast. We are based with hundreds of military and other federal agency folks. There was a drop of several pallets of MRE's and water a couple days ago and another scheduled for Friday. They have a porta-potty, generator, comm trailer with HF, and a 275 gallon fuel cell. Their tents are all set up in a common area and the PA parachute serves for shade and covers the ops station. On the east side is Pascagoula. Another forward command post by the coast at an open airport. We have a hanger there with an HF radio and many supplies. They also received a food/water helo drop. There is electricity, bathroom and tent city is around on the side of the building. Chevron refinery has opened their doors, all the fuel we need. This is where everyone gets their gas. This city was hit fairly hard and many of the houses, including the wing commander sustained heavy damage. Most still do not have power or other utilities restored. In the center about 40 miles from the coast is Wiggens. This airport has a runway that is usable now but the taxiway, etc, is cluttered. CAP is the primary users, so we land, back taxi and take off safely. There is a generator, 275 gallon fuel cell, bathroom in the old FBO and a hose for showers. Food and water has been dropped here too. SAT phones, thanks to GLR, are located at all three forward command posts. Jackson base also has one which is used when we go outside and the another in the comm van. Another thanks to WI and GLR for sending the mobile comm van as it will be our primary means of communication. In the first few days there were several missions completed. The aerial assignments were from various agencies and we flew power line / substation recon, road surveys and airport damage missions. There have been several transport requests which we have also accomplished. In the past few days we have flown a high bird for comm purposes to support the ground teams. We continue to search for 37 members of the wing that we have not made contact with. Ground missions have changed frequently. In the initial stages the primary concern was searching for the members of the Mississippi wing. All SAR was tasked to the Coast Guard. The CG performed the eminent rescue work (the helicopter pulling the survivors off the roof of houses). CG triage all calls and emails into three groups. Immediate danger to life, medical (we haven't heard from Aunt Sally and believe she is out of insulin, and welfare (we can't contact our parents living in Biloxi). First assignment was to take GIS/GPS hand held units with the medical calls plotted into the field and contact these citizens. This was changed then to stopping at every house and knocking on every door in four counties. Jackson, Hancock(on the coast) Pearl River and Stone counties, which received considerable damage in certain areas. We provide information on the daily food and water distribution points, contact information and see if additional assistance is needed. For those that could not leave their domain, we provided some MRE's and water. 107 members have signed in to mission base, not counting today. Due to legal and welfare concerns, cadets must be 18 to work out in the field. Requests for additional ground teams, mission staff, aircrews and aircraft were formally requested through the NOC late last night. I need to take a minute to express my deepest admiration for the members of the Mississippi wing. Through problems of their own, they manned the wing tasking and continued for several days before relief showed up. The wing commander himself stayed constantly active in Pascagoula while his home sat damaged and flooded. In the Gulfport, Biloxi area, everything between the coast and the railroad tracks (approx 4-5 miles) is gone. Not damaged or off the foundation, simply missing from the face of the earth! From there up to I-10 everything is in splinters. Damaged to the point of no recourse but remove the rubble that once stood a thriving community down to, well the trees and grass are gone also, so I'm not sure how there could be any more devastation. I will try and report more when time permits. Right now it is "Beret" mode, 20 hr days and always multiple things to do. If you'd like to send a card or anything (would love to get them out to the field where the cadets are to show the member support) write Civil Air Patrol, c/o Mission Base, 1635 Airport Drive, Jackson, MS 39209. Those units that get contacted by the NOC, please remember to arrive self sufficient. Additional MRE's and water are available, but a lot of those have gone to the public. We're not lacking (though the cadets are missing candy, etc). Fill up with gas before getting past Memphis as fuel is scarce. We'll direct you to a forward post depending upon arrival times and units in field. Missions look as they will continue for a while. I know the NOC is trying to rotate in as many teams as possible from various states. MG Pineda has everyone rotating on a six day basis. In the field, under these conditions, it is long enough, both physically and emotionally. I'll send pictures when time is available. Keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. Thanks, Rex REX GLASGOW, BG, CAP NATIONAL VICE COMMANDER