DOD prepositioning for Harvey

As Tropical Storm Harvey continues to dump on southeast Texas and Louisiana, the U.S. military, Coast Guard, and National Guard units from five states are committing rescue-related resources. Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announced Aug. 28 that he has ordered the entire 12,000-member Texas National Guard to assist with storm-related efforts. Army Col. Rob Manning, a DOD spokesperson, said those active duty units have yet to be called upon, but was in the process of staging a search and rescue “package” likely to be based out of Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Abbott signed an order mandating all NG and DOD units would fall under one commander during rescue operations. The CG has deployed 39 MH ‘Jayhawk’ and ‘Dolphin’ helicopters and seven C-130 aircraft to operations from bases in Houston and New Orleans. The TNG also has 10 UH-60 and four UH-72 Lakota, and two Chinook helicopters. The Navy is preparing the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) for operations in support of Harvey rescue efforts. The Defense Logistics Agency has provided 11 generators as well as 50,000 gallons of gasoline and 50,000 gallons of diesel fuel. (Source: Washington Post 08/28/17) The UH-72 Lakota helicopters are by built at Airbus Helicopters Inc.’s facility in Columbus, Miss. The Navy’s T-45 trainer jets based at Naval Air Station Kingsville came out of the storm without damage, according to base spokesman Kevin Clarke. NASK was not damaged and has returned to full operations.