Ohio Guardmembers Respond JTF Buckeye...... 03 JTF Green...... 04 Call in the Cavalry...... 04 179th Airlift Wing Heads South...... 05 Four Soldiers...... 06 Soldiers from 1-148th Infantry Battalion compare deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism and New Orleans. Buckeye Soldiers Pass Out the Goods...... 08 Food, water and ice were in short supply after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast Region. Ohio Soldiers made sure residents got what they needed. Search and Rescue in the “Big Easy”...... 10 When levees in New Orleans broke, much of the area plunged underwater. Buckeye Soldiers went house to house to fi nd survivors and bring them to safety. We Will Respond...... 12 The Ohio National Guard mission is, “When called, we will respond with ready units.” A look at Ohio units responding. Saving Andre...... 14 This sea lion was just one of the many victims of Hurricane Katrina, and just one of the many survivors the Soldiers and relief workers helped. Evacuating the Superdome...... 16 Within 24 hours of being called, Ohio Soldiers were evacuating hurricane survivors from the Louisiana Superdome. Hitting Close to Home...... 18 For one Task Force Buckeye Soldier, the destruction of Louisiana and Mississippi took with it a piece of his childhood. Preventing Illness, Saving Lives...... 20 Medics of 2-107th Cavalry help residents of Hurricane ravaged Cameron, La. Some Called Them Team Ice...... 22 Ohio units provide ice, water and food to the residents of Lake Charles, La. Operation Sandbag...... 23 Soldiers from Ohio, Florida and Georgia help protect a medical center built too close to a river run-off. Adjutant General’s Department State Commander-in-Chief - Gov. Bob Taft On the Cover Adjutant General - Maj. Gen. (Ohio) Gregory L. Wayt Assistant Adjutant General, Army - Brig. Gen. Matthew L. Kambic Front: Spc. Errol S. Griebel from Heath, Ohio, Assistant Adjutant General, Air - Maj. Gen. Harry “A.J.” Feucht a light wheel mechanic with the 237th Personnel Command Sergeant Major, Army - Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Gilliam Services Battalion, hands out bananas at a food, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air - Command Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Muncy water and ice distribution point, Sept. 5 in Pica- yune, Miss. Photo by Sgt. Kimberly Snow, 196th The Buckeye Response Staff Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Director, Public Affairs - Maj. Neal E. O’Brien JTF Green Public Affairs Offi cer - Capt. Marshall Jackson JTF Buckeye Public Affairs Offi cer - 1st Lt. Wayne Adkins Back: A 5-ton truck rolls through the fl ooded JTF Buckeye Public Affairs Chief - Senior Master Sgt. Randy Dunham streets of New Orleans as seen from the air. JTF Green Public Affairs Chief - Staff Sgt. Steven Johnson Photo by Staff Sgt. Bob Barko, Jr., 196th Mobile Photojournalist - Staff Sgt. Bob Barko Jr. Public Affairs Detachment Photojournalist - Sgt. Kimberly Snow Photojournalist - Sgt. Ismail Turray Photojournalist - Spc. Chad Menegay Photojournalist/Layout & Design - Spc. Benjamin Cossel

The Buckeye Response is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The Buckeye Response are not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Departments of the Army and Air Force, or the Adjutant General of Ohio. The Buckeye Response is a product of the 196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment and published under the supervision of the Public Affairs Offi ce, Joint Force Headquarters-Ohio, 2825 W. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43235-2789. Questions or comments may be directed to (614) 336-7000 or [email protected]. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the Adjutant General of Ohio’s Public Affairs Offi cer. The Buckeye Response is distributed free to members of the Ohio Army and Air National Guard and to other interested persons at their request. Circulation is 19,000.

This publication was printed in December 2005 by Watkins Printing, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Government, under exclusive written contract with the Ohio National Guard. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army and Air Force or Watkins Printing. Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confi rmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Buckeye Response OOHARNGHARNG RESPONDSRESPONDS TTOO HHURRICANEURRICANE KKATRINAATRINA By Sgt. Kimberly Snow cal treatment for those civilians who “There’s probably not a guards- now have nothing.” man that you’re going to deal with CAMP SHELBY, Miss. — Sixty Like many others, Clemmons that hasn’t been touched by the hur- miles north of the Mississippi coast- voiced concerns over the rising ricane,” he said. “And they’re tired. line, Soldiers from the Ohio Army tensions due to the austere condi- And that’s why we’re here. They’ve National Guard prepare to move tions caused by the hurricane. She done a hell of a job until now and it’s south to join the relief effort follow- compared the situation to her ex- time for us to improve on it.” ing Hurricane Katrina — one of the perience being deployed in Iraq in Lee said about 1,500 Ohio troops deadliest and most destructive nat- 2004. initially aided the Mississippi National ural disasters in U.S. history. “It’s kind of the same thing,” she Guard in restoring the infrastructure The troops moved into Hancock said. “It’s like a war out there. In by providing security for the relief ef- County, which sits on the Missis- New Orleans, people were desper- fort, as well as passing out water, ice sippi-Louisiana border in one of ate, hungry. But I really just wanted and food. the hardest-hit coastal communi- to help.” The Ohio National Guard joined ties, said Brig. Gen. Jack Lee, com- Soldiers awaiting the order to the relief effort after Mississippi Na- mander of 73rd Troop Command move south had no television cover- tional Guard offi cials requested help and Joint Task Force Buckeye, the age — electricity was only recently from the National Guard Bureau, who Ohio contingent of the relief effort. restored — and relied on informa- quickly spread the word. Ohio was Even 60 miles inland, the dev- tion from those who had seen the one of about 20 states to send troops astation was sobering. A 15-min- damage fi rsthand. in the fi rst week after Katrina. ute bus ride to the staging area at Lee addressed a formation of It was unclear just how long Ohio Camp Shelby presented the arriv- troops preparing to depart and de- troops would be involved in the relief ing Soldiers with a bleak landscape. scribed the austere conditions they effort, Lee said. But the troops were Trees lay on the ground, snapped would soon face: no running water, anxious to begin. in half, scattered like toothpicks. no electricity, no phone service and “It took us a little time to start fl owing The scene resembled the aftermath a population in need. He also re- our forces down (there), it’s a three- of an artillery barrage. minded the troops of the emotional day convoy,” he said. “But Soldiers’ Although some troops voiced toll on the Mississippi Guard troops morale (was) high and they (were) concerns following news reports already on the ground. ready to hit the ground running.• of hostilities coming out of stricken areas, particularly in New Orleans, many of the Soldiers volunteered for this mission and were anxious to begin operations. Spc. Heather S. Clemmons of Springfi eld, Ohio, is a health care specialist with C Company, 118th Area Support Medical Battalion, Westerville. As she watched tele- vised coverage of the disaster un- folding Aug. 29, she called her unit to volunteer in the event they were tasked to provide assistance. Three days later, at 12:30 p.m., she got the call. By 3 p.m. she was at her armory preparing to leave. “I wanted to help the civilians,” she said. “I wanted to provide medi- Soldiers from the Ohio Army National Guard take a bus from Haittiesburg, Miss. to Camp Shelby, Miss.

Page 3 The Buckeye Response Joint Task Force Green leads Buckeye eff ort in Louisiana By Spc. Chad Menegay WRIGHT-PATTERSON, AFB — up Joint Task Force Green. but people down there’s lives are On Sunday, Sept. 25 a second wave England Air Force Base, in cen- gone,” Johnson said. “I would sweat of Ohio National Guard Soldiers left tral Louisiana, acted as an initial a few weeks for them. home and family to provide relief staging area for the Department of “When I saw the destruction that and security assistance to fl ooded Defense’s military support of civilian happened to people down here, I areas of the Gulf Coast affected by authorities. felt so horrible for them. I wanted to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Upon arrival, reconnaissance help; it makes me feel good to serve About 300 people fl ew 950 miles teams prepared for travel toward the my country,” she said. Sept. 25 to England Air Force Base coast, such as the Lake Charles area, “This is what being a National in Alexandria, La., on Ohio Air Na- to assess Rita’s damage, thought Guardsman is all about, when called tional Guard KC-135 and C-130 air- to be less severe than feared, and we go and help our neighbors,” said craft to begin to prepare the condi- identify where the task force would Chief Warrant Offi cer 4 Billy Wood- tions for the additional 900 Buckeye best serve to assist. Most Soldiers all, the property book offi cer for the Soldiers who arrived in the following were given a 36-hour heads up on 37th Brigade Combat Team. “My days. their 30-days or less activation. God, if it happened to me, I’d appre- Soldiers from the 2nd Squadron, Pfc. Suzanne Johnson, a food ciate someone coming to help keep 107th Cavalry Regiment (Kettering), service specialist for the 237th FSB looters off my property or secure my 237th Forward Support Battalion out of Austintown, Ohio, said she re- neighborhood.” (Springfi eld), 112th Engineer Bat- ceived her phone call at 12:30 a.m. The 37th Brigade Combat Team, talion (Brook Park), 1486th Trans- on the 25th, giving her six hours to headquartered in Columbus and portation Company (Mansfi eld, Ash- organize her things and leave. commanded by Col. Jim Green, land), and Airmen from the 123rd Air “What we as Soldiers were going spearheaded the Hurricane Rita Re- Control Squadron (Blue Ash) made through there was only temporary, lief efforts.•

CCallall inin thethe Cavalry!Cavalry! By Sgt. Ismail Turay WRIGHT-PATTERSON, AFB — “I’m excited because this is some- would be, the squadron was well The State of Ohio continued to aid thing different,” said Sgt. Don Badil- trained and prepared, Mayer said, residents on the hurricane-ravaged lo, a Kettering resident who works at adding that his soldiers performed Gulf Coast as the state, on Sept. a local hospital. “To be able to help those same tasks in Kosovo. 25, deployed some 1,200 Guards- Americans is a great feeling.” “We are ready. We are confi dent men to assist in the aftermath of Added Lt. Col. Todd Mayer, the and we are proud to do it,” he said. Hurricane Rita. squadron commander: “It seemed As the troops prepared to board About 350 of the troops from the that most Soldiers were ready to go the four C-130 cargo aircraftthat Kettering-based 2nd Squadron, because our fellow citizens need us. transported them to Alexandria, 107th Cavalry, fl ew out of Wright- This is the reason we put on the uni- La., Brig. Gen. Matthew L. Kambic, Patterson Air Force Base with ve- form.” the state’s assistant adjutant gen- hicles and other equipment. They The Soldiers were alerted two eral for Army, shook each of their were based in Alexandria, La. days prior to their deployment, said hands and ensured that the squad- Although they returned home in Mayer, a Cincinnati resident. Details ron had everything it needed for the February from a six-month peace- of their mission were sketchy prior to mission. keeping mission in Kosovo, the the deployment, but the unit’s tasks “I’m very proud of them and what Soldiers said they were enthusias- could have included anything from they will do,” he said. “The Cav tic about their latest mission. That is setting up checkpoints, manning has unique capabilities and proven because for some, this was the fi rst intersections, protecting neighbor- leadership that will help them excel. time in their military careers that hoods and businesses and the like, We will bring stability and peace of they were assisting fellow Ameri- Mayer said. mind to the people.”• cans at home. Regardless what the mission

Page 4 The Buckeye Response 1179th79th AWAW HeadsHeads SouthSouth By Tech. Sgt. Robert Jones

MANSFIELD, Ohio — As Sep- tember drew to a close and the remnants of Hurricane Rita damp- ened the area, Airmen of the 179th Airlift Wing began the journey south to aid ongoing recovery operations in the storm-torn Gulf Coast region. Twenty-one Airmen from the 179th AW Civil Engineering Squad- ron, along with 19 members of simi- Members of civil engineering squadrons from Mansfi eld, Springfi eld, To- lar Toledo-, Springfi eld-, and Co- ledo and Columbus board a C-130 aircraft in Mansfi eld headed for New lumbus-based squadrons, boarded Orleans. The 40 members of this CE team worked at the New Orleans a C-130 cargo aircraft at Mansfi eld- Naval Air Station. Lahm Airport destined for New Or- leans. As Johnson explained, when Rita of the relief effort. Landing at Naval Air Station New forced evacuations of the area, that In addition to civil engineering, the Orleans (NAS-NO) three hours included personnel stationed at Air National Guard set up a medi- later, the Airmen, headed by Maj. NAS-NO. cal unit on the base with personnel Mark Johnson, spent a day setting “Because of the hurricane, only from states including Ohio and the up the tents they would live in dur- four or fi ve civil engineering people 179th AW. During the period imme- ing the next 30 to 40 days. were left on base to keep it run- diately following Hurricane Rita, this The Naval Air Station, located im- ning,” Johnson said. medical unit handled 911 emergen- mediately south of New Orleans, is Since then, National Guard units cies in the city of New Orleans. a hub for the federal relief to New from around the country fl ocked to Part of any deployment is saying Orleans. During the height of the region to aid in recovery efforts goodbye to family and loved ones. rescue operations, nearly 200 he- with Airmen of the 179th AW being When asked about leaving his fam- licopters worked out of the station. one of the fi rst units to take up resi- ily, Senior Master Sgt. Mark Rob- dence at NAS-NO. ertson said, “They know it’s part of “There have been the military and the Guard and they 20,000 troops sta- have the family support group here tioned there, so a lot at the base so everything will be needs to be done to fi ne.” help the base get on For Senior Master Sgt. James its feet so that they McCoy, this last deployment was a can be of the most fi tting end to an exciting career. help in the relief ef- “I had planned on retiring in Oc- fort,” Johnson said. tober,” McCoy said. “I called the Ohio civil engi- base on Friday and they told me to neers, with expertise get my hip waders on. I’ve been to in electrical, carpen- UAE (United Arab Emirates), Israel, try, plumbing, power Saudi Arabia, Norway and Eng- Equipment is off-loaded from a C-130 of the 179th production drafting land, so this is a nice way to end Airlift Wing at the New Orleans Naval Air Station. and surveying, made things. I know I’ll miss being here Following Hurricane Rita, the air station was be- certain NAS-NO can this time next year. It’s been a good ing repopulated after a forced evacuation. handle the demands career.”•

Page 5 The Buckeye Response

148th Infantry in New Orleans, his prior skills working in the motor pool and ci- vilian world have proven worthwhile. FFourour SSoldiersoldiers Already he has helped his squad-mates fi x several boat motors. to aid in their By Spc. Benjamin Cossel search and rescue operations. “It feels really good to get out more,” NEW ORLEANS — Four Soldiers. and other materials to forward operating Gardner said. “It confi rms you’re actually Each from different backgrounds, with bases all over Iraq, going as far north as contributing.” different experiences and lives who found Mosul. themselves in New Orleans with the Ohio “I got to see a lot of varied regions The Water Purifi cation Specialist Army National Guard’s Company D, 1st when we would drive our supply routes,” While Gardner drove trucks up and Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment. he said. “There are defi nitely some areas down military supply routes, Spc. Pat- This mission is not the only experi- of the Iraqi countryside that look a lot like rick Fairhurst worked as a 92W (water ence they have in common. All four of where we are now.” purifi cation specialist) who did not spend these Citizen-Soldiers have spent time Where Gardner sees the starkest par- much time working in his military occupa- deployed in support of the Global War allel is the trash on the streets. tional specialty (MOS). on Terrorism and each sees parallels be- “The roads in Iraq were just completely “I spent a lot of time doing the job of an tween there and here. littered with trash,” Gardner said. infantryman, going out on patrols, things When winds estimated at more than like that,” he said. The Truck Driver 140 mph hit New Orleans, trash from ev- Like Gardner, Fairhurst started in the The soft-spoken Spc. Anderson Gard- erywhere whipped around in the storm to Army Reserve, with the 79th Quarter- ner calls Chardon, Ohio, home. He and settle wherever Mother Nature deemed master Company, when he deployed to his father own Gardner’s Competition appropriate. Iraq. And like Gardner, when Fairhurst Machinist, a specialty shop for custom- “The trash all over the place is the joined the National Guard, he traded his made bearings, joints and other automo- same,” he said. “I know it’s a different water purifi cation skills for the hard life tive parts. situation, but you can’t help but look at it and adventure of the infantry. “Right now, Dad’s running the shop on and see the similarity.” “The houses here look the same,” his own while I’m here helping the victims In April of this year, Gardner decided it Fairhurst said. “In some of the slums of of Katrina,” Gardner said. was time for a change. He felt he could Iraq and the places we’ve been going He deployed to Iraq with the 762nd make more of a difference in the National through here, where the water and wind Transportation Company, 88th Reserve Guard serving as 11B (infantryman). has destroyed this place, they look the Support Command. As an 88M (truck “You know,” Gardner said, “being a same.” driver), stationed just on the friendly side truck driver is an important job but I felt I Fairhurst also went on to note that of the Kuwait-Iraq border, Gardner and could offer more as an infantry Soldier.” many of the smells are the same; the his fellow Soldiers convoyed supplies While serving with the 1st Battalion, burning trash, the putrid water, the gen- eral stench lingering in the air. But with all the similarities, Fairhurst says he is defi nitely glad for one huge difference. “I’m sure glad no one here is shooting at us, that there no are IEDs (improvised explosives devices), and no mortars,” Fairhurst chuckled. “And obviously, we weren’t going out on too many boat mis- sions in Iraq.” Back home, Fairhurst is working to be- come a police offi cer. He had just joined his local police force part-time when the call came for him to pack his gear and get to his unit. “It’s all right, though,” Fairhurst said. “It’s fulfi lling to be helping people who really need it down here.”

The Medic “Iraq was a man-made disaster, this Spc. Ralph Isabella, of Sheffi eld Lake, treats a survivor of Hurricane Katrina. “It’s here, this is a natural disaster, and from all about helping people,” he said. “That’s what we were doing in Iraq, that’s what my perspective that’s one of the few dif- we’re doing here.” ferences between the two,” Spc. Ralph Page 6 The Buckeye Response

“Just like Afghanistan, everyone here looks run down,” Ranalli said. Ranalli was with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, in Afghanistan. A torn ligament in his shoulder prevented him from doing pull-ups, a mandatory part of the Marines’ physical fi tness test. “I can do push-ups all day long,” Ra- nalli said. “And I still wanted to serve in the infantry so I joined the Guard.” Ranalli went on to note that the look in the eyes of many a New Orleans resi- dent is the same as many of the people he encountered in Afghanistan. “It’s weird,” he says. “I mean, you can sort of understand that in a third-world country, but I never thought you would see that look in the eyes of Americans.” Going house-to-house, clearing the building, making sure everyone is out also drew comparisons from Ranalli. Spc. Anderson Gardner, of Chardon, was a truck driver, 88M, with the 762nd “Obviously the outcome is different… Transportation Company, 88th Reserve Support Command, when he deployed to we were looking for Taliban there. Here Iraq with the initial push to take Baghdad. The reserved Gardner decided to join we’re looking for survivors, but the basic the Ohio Army National Guard as an infantryman because he felt he could make mechanics of it all are the same.” more of a difference. Like everyone else, Ranalli feels an “Doc” Isabella said. smoking cigarettes. extra sense of satisfaction knowing the The Sheffi eld Lake resident and 91W “The other similarity I see is the heat help he provides is helping his fellow citi- (medic), took a long road to get with Com- conditions and the possibility for heat ca- zens. pany D, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry. sualties.” “It’s defi nitely more rewarding to be out Isabella deployed to Iraq with the North Soldiers routinely run their missions here, doing all that we can, to help other Carolina National Guard’s 1st Battalion, for eight to 10 hours a day, during the tail Americans.” • 120th Infantry. Worn with great pride, end of the dog days of a Southern Loui- the big, red numeral “1,” known around siana summer. the Army as the “Big Red One,” patch “I can’t tell these guys enough to drink sewn on his right shoulder indicates the plenty of water. It’s a different type of heat major command under which the “Doc” than what we’re used to in Ohio. The hu- served. midity here is unreal.” “Basically, I met a woman while we Even with all the warnings, Isabella still were in Iraq….She was from Ohio,” ex- has the occasional Soldier who comes to plained Isabella. “When we came home, see him needing an IV. I moved back to Ohio, see…I’m originally Isabella currently works as a manager from Cleveland, so….” at a car dealership. The smooth-talk- Isabella said many of the concerns he ing skills so handy in selling cars come had serving as a medic on the battlefi elds through as Isabella quickly develops an of Samara and Baquba are the same easy banter with his patients, calming concerns he has treating his Soldiers in them down, determining what needs to the “Big Easy.” be treated. Whether Soldier or civilian, “Sanitation is key,” he said. “Just like Isabella treats them all. Iraq, no cut here is too small. Everything “It’s all about helping people,” he said. must be treated with antibiotics immedi- “That what we were doing in Iraq, that’s ately.” what we’re doing here. But, you just sort High levels of contamination in the of get that extra sense of satisfaction water make it dangerous to many of the helping your own countrymen.” Soldiers who routinely wade through the water during their search and rescue op- The Infantryman Canton resident Spc. Frank Ranalli, erations. While the other three Soldiers all Company D, 1st Battalion, 148th In- “Nothing, absolutely nothing is a small spent time serving in Iraq, the through- fantry Regiment, Ohio Army National cut!” Isabella says with the zeal of a doc- and-through “grunt,” Spc. Frank Ranalli, Guard, looks through the ceiling of a tor trying to convince a patient to quit served with the Marines in Afghanistan. recently cleared house. Page 7 The Buckeye Response BBuckeyeuckeye SSoldiersoldiers PPassass OOutut tthehe GGoodsoods

By Sgt. Kimberly Snow

PICAYUNE, Miss. — Even hav- ing her foot run over couldn’t wipe the smile off of Pfc. Carolyn J. Martin’s face. “Um… could you back up a lit- tle bit?” Martin calmly asked one driver as she loaded ice into the back seat of his car. “I’m pretty sure you just ran over my foot.” Martin, an administrative spe- Ohio and Mississippi National Guardmembers work at a distribution cialist with the Kettering-based point in Picayune, Miss., to provide supplies to hurricane victims. 371st Corps Support Group, spent Sept. 5 with about 20 other Ohio Soldiers from the 371st, the Soldiers from the Mississippi Na- by the Federal Emergency Man- 73rd Troop Command and the tional Guard. The troops distrib- agement Agency (FEMA). 237th Personnel Services Bat- uted food, water and ice to Hurri- Several other volunteers joined talion, as well as about a dozen cane Katrina victims in Picayune, the Soldiers, including Gaynell Miss. It was one of the most re- Archer, a carpenter from nearby warding experiences of her life, Ozona, Miss. Archer and her hus- she said. band, also a carpenter, had come She and the other Soldiers through the line themselves only and volunteers remained en- the day before. Both had been thusiastic despite temperatures working in Gulfport prior to the in the mid 90s and a seemingly hurricane, which left them job- endless line of cars and trucks, less. as well as the occasional motor- Because she was out of work cycle and all-terrain vehicle. and wanted to give back to the Maj. Mark Lofton, 371st sig- community that embraced them, nal officer, visited the distribu- Archer decided to volunteer at tion point the day before to as- the distribution point when her sess staffing needs and make husband found work. arrangements for the Joint Task Also joining the Soldiers was Force Buckeye Soldiers. Airman 1st Class Vu Nguyen from “This is the best mission I’ve the 78th Communications Squad- ever had in the Guard, bar none,” ron at Robbins Air Force Base. Lofton said. “This is where they Nguyen, who grew up in south- really need help. This is as good ern Mississippi, headed down as it gets.” from his base in central Georgia Lofton coordinated efforts with to locate his parents after being 2nd Lt. Lamar Lee Richardson, granted leave from active duty. with C Battery, 1-204th Air De- “When the hurricane hit, I Staff Sgt. Sean E. Reiter, of Fostoria, fense Artillery Battalion out of couldn’t find my parents for six an ammunition specialist with the Morton, Miss. Richardson coor- days,” he said. “I had no type of 371st Corps Support Group, loads dinated with local businesses, communications.” water onto the trailer of a Hurricane city officials and police to es- When Nguyen finally found his Katrina victim at a food and water dis- tablish the Picayune distribu- family alive and well, they told tribution point in Picayune, Miss. tion point, which was supplied him that National Guard troops

Page 8 The Buckeye Response

Pvt. Allen L. McCrone (from left) of West Chester, Pfc. Carolyn J. Martin of Cincinnati, and Spc. Julie A. Galla- gher of Dayton, all with the 371st Corps Support Group, load ice into the vehicle of a Hurricane Katrina evacuee Sept. 5 at a distribution point in Picayune, Miss. had arrived and were working to La., located east of New Orleans, The couple returned to the Gulf distribute essential items in sev- is one of the evacuees who came Coast following the hurricane. eral locations. through the Picayune distribution Fortunately for the Hanslicks, “Since I was here, I decided to line Sept. 5. they had a home to which they come down and help,” he said. “I After deciding to ride out the could return. Although their home grew up around this area. I felt then-Category 1 hurricane and in Chalmette was destroyed, guilty watching it on TV and I had at his home Sunday, Hanslick Hanslick purchased a trailer six 18 days of leave, so I figured I received a call from his brother- months ago for the couple’s 25th should help.” in-law who informed him of the wedding anniversary. They found The troops and volunteers dis- increasing intensity of the storm. the trailer, which they kept on tributed roughly 20,000 bags of He decided to leave and as he family land in Picayune, intact ice, more than 20,000 gallons did, take care of one more thing. and essentially undamaged. of water and several hundred “I had just bought a new boat. Although his return home was pounds of bananas. They also I tossed the keys to my neighbor bittersweet, he feels lucky to have got to know a little bit about some and said ‘Here’s the keys, you a home still, and was grateful for of the people they were helping. might need this,’” Hanslick said. the help of military and civilian “Everybody’s got a story,” Lof- “And I think maybe it’s a good aid workers, he said. ton said. “It’s amazing.They all thing I did.” “Everything I own, every picture want to tell you what’s happened Hanslick and his wife linked up of the family, everything is gone,” to them, what their concerns are. with other family members in Hat- he said choking back tears. “But There are so many concerns tiesburg, Miss., and drove 17½ seeing this relief effort… it’s over- they have that we can’t even ad- hours north to Blytheville, Ark., whelming. It’s a great effort. I dress.” before they could find a room to don’t know what people would do Ben Hanslick from Chalmette, rent. without it.” •

Page 9 The Buckeye Response SSearchearch aandnd RRescueescue iinn tthehe ““BigBig EEasy”asy” By Spc. Benjamin Cossel NEW ORLEANS — They’re tough as nails on the outside. But, they hurt just like everyone else on the inside when they see something that tugs at the heartstrings. “It’s really sad,” said Sgt 1st Class Sgt. Michael White, of Wadsworth, a squad leader with Company D, 1st James Scally, from Delaware, as Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, tosses a can of spray paint to another his fl at-bottom boat trolled through Soldier after marking the building indicating it was clear. a fl ooded residential neighborhood here. “I’m looking in these peoples’ houses and I see pictures on the onto buses, and off to wherever it looking for anyone left. Once we’ve wall. It breaks my heart.” was they were going.” gone through a house, we’ll mark With large portions of the city After evacuating the Superdome, it with the date we searched it, so still underwater, Soldiers of Com- Company C, Company E, Head- other agencies working in the area pany D, 1st Battalion, 148th Infan- quarters and Headquarters Compa- will know not to waste their time and try Regiment, went house-to-house ny as well as Company D were then move on to areas not yet cleared.” looking for the living as well as The squads use for those who were claimed “Finding the dead is almost as important spray paint on one of the outside walls to by Katrina. as fi nding the living.” “We had to clear a child day- indicate the day the Sgt. Michael White house was cleared. A care,” Scally said. “We had to Company D, 1-148th Infantry break a window — there were “0” painted next to the toys in there and we knew date indicates no one that there were kids playing was in the house, a in there just a couple of weeks ago tasked to help out with the search- “29” is the mark noting a body was and now it’s complete devastation.” and-rescue operations under way. found inside. Before these troops did house-to- They begin their task every morn- “Finding the dead is almost as im- house searches and rescues, they ing, loading into the back of 5-tons portant as fi nding the living,” White completed a mission at the New Or- and humvees, heading out to their said. “It gives the families a sense leans Superdome. area of responsibility. The convoy of relief to know one way or another “When we fi rst got here, we were of six vehicles rumbled down the what has happened to their loved tasked with helping to evacuate the Chef Menteur Highway, coming to a ones.” Superdome,” said Wadsworth resi- stop at what used to be a dry clean- White added that the mark also dent Sgt. Michael White. “We’ve ing service. allows properly equipped agencies done so much in the little bit of time The building’s parking lot serves to go in and retrieve the bodies so we’ve been here.” as the command and control center burial arrangements can be made. Their tough side presents itself. as the Soldiers jump out of the back “Luckily, most of the areas we’ve “The situation inside the dome of their vehicles and reassemble gone through look like people were was really bad,” White said. “We into squads. evacuated in time. Most of the be- saw all sorts of horrible things but “Basically,” White explained, longings are either packed up or it we got all those people out of there, “we’re going house to house and looks like a lot of families took their Page 10 The Buckeye Response

stuff with them when they left.” Along with the rest of his compa- ny, the squad leader with Company D was on the ground just three days after Katrina wreaked devastation across this fabled city. They prefer to go on foot, which makes it easier for a complete search of each house. In areas where water levels remain too high, they load up on boats, striking out across the putrid water. While the mechanics of accom- plishing their mission might differ from those on foot, for D Company Soldiers that fi nd themselves taking to boats, the fi nal outcome is the same — search each house, mark it, move to the next. Sgt. Scott Crawford, a squad leader with Company D, 1st Battalion, 148th The boats are picked up from Infantry Regiment, breaks through the window of a house during search where Katrina deposited them. and rescue operations as part of Operation Katrina.

Some are in better shape ter combined with the molding inte- than others, but each is rior of the house smack into him as capable. he reels back for a second before Sgt. Christian Walsh, calling in. of Tallmadge, captains “NATIONAL GUARD! Is anyone one of the few boats with in here? We’re here to help….is a motor. As they slowly there anyone in here?” work their way down Crawford looks back at Walsh, fl ooded streets, tops of shakes his head in the negative. sport utility vehicles poke Walsh marks the house: “9-8-05 up out of the water. — 0.” “It’s slow maneuver- Even with such a somber task, ing through these parts,” the morale of the Soldiers remains Walsh said. “You’re not high. They feel a sense of purpose quite sure where the low in what they do and the interaction spots are or when you’re with residents, so happy to see going to run into some- them, makes the long days and “hot one’s fence.” as hell” conditions bearable. Downed trees and “No one here is complaining,” power lines with their White said. “Soldiers really came wires crisscrossing the through. Our guys came from all road further slowed the over the state, dropped what they platoon. had going on and got here. We all Mooring alongside a know that we’re doing a good thing. Sgt. Christian Walsh, of Tallmadge, with house, Sgt. Scott Craw- When you give someone a bottle of Company D, 1st Battalion 148th Infantry ford, a squad leader from water or help get them out of their Regiment, guides his boat down the washed- Orrville, takes his oar in house to an evacuation point…it re- out streets of a northeastern New Orleans hand and smashes out the ally does make you feel like you’re residential area. window. The stench of wa- doing something with a purpose.”• Page 11 The Buckey

WWhenhen Called, WWee WWillill Respond WWithith RReeady Units

Page 12 ye Response

When Caalled,lled, We Will Respondespond With Readydy UUnitsnits

Page 13 The Buckeye Response SSavingaving AndreAndre By Sgt. Kimberly Snow

Deputy Sheriff Nick Taylor, a motorcycle patrol offi cer from Polk County, Fla., keeps watch over Andre, Sept. 9, while waiting for workers from the Marine Life Oceanarium to arrive. LAKESHORE, Miss. — Ten days had stayed behind to tend to animals three other Soldiers to the scene to after Hurricane Katrina devastated displaced by the hurricane. gather more information. the Gulf Coast, relief workers from “I volunteered to stay on my own As word of the rescue effort spread, three states descended on a swamp time, start feeding the animals,” Taylor other relief workers in the area re- in southern Mississippi to rescue an said. “I was doing that normally while sponded to offer help. unusual victim. we were out on patrol, feeding stray “When we got there we saw a bunch Deputy Sheriff Nick Taylor, a motor- dogs, goats, horses, ducks, you name of sheriffs,” Perez said. “The fi rst re- cycle patrol offi cer from Polk City, Fla., it. They’re all looking for a home that’s sponders had already contacted ani- arrived Aug. 31 to the area with his not there anymore.” mal control, so I just sent two of my team, one day after the storm. Taylor After spotting the animal, Taylor alert- Soldiers out to get some pictures and was patrolling an area near the coast ed local authorities and waved down we headed back.” Sept. 9 when he saw “something large” a patrol from the Middletown-based Six civilian agencies from three states swimming in the swamp. 324th Military Police Company, who aided in the rescue, including the Han- That “something” turned out to be An- reported the incident to their battalion cock County (Miss.) Sheriff’s Offi ce, dre, a 500-pound California sea lion, headquarters. the Florida Highway Patrol, the Tal- normally housed 15 miles east at the “I defi nitely never expected to see lahassee (Fla.) Relief Aid Response Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport. that,” Taylor said. “Who would have Team and the Rowan County (N.C.) The Oceanarium was destroyed dur- thought you’d come out here in the Sheriff’s Offi ce, Rowan County Res- ing the storm and many of the animals middle of a Mississippi swamp and cue Squad and Salisbury (N.C.) Fire lost. fi nd a sea lion?” Department. Although most of Taylor’s team mem- An offi cial from the 437th Military Oceanarium personnel arrived and bers had returned home the previous Police Battalion dispatched 324th MP identifi ed the sea lion as Andre, one day, the self-proclaimed animal lover Company 1st Sgt. Manny Perez and of two sea lions still unaccounted for

Page 14 The Buckeye Response

following the hurricane that destroyed crate,” Chevis said. “If he does not, hushed voice. “It’s devastating. It’s like the facility. Andre is the cub of one of we’ll have to see how we can herd him they’re your children. I can’t even think several sea lions used in the mak- in.” about them without getting upset. I Saving Andre ing of the 1994 movie after which he Andre responded almost immediate- keep remembering their faces.” is named. One harbor seal also was ly to Romagnoli, who waded through Andre was given a police escort to missing. the waist-high water to reach him. Af- Hoffl and’s home on the fi rst leg of his In preparation for the hurricane, eight ter calling his name several times and journey to a new home in Memphis, of the facility’s seals and sea lions were tossing him some fi sh, Andre followed Tenn. He was given a full check-up moved into a trailer in front of the home his trainer to the crate and slid in. and is expected to fully recover, said of Tim Hoffl and, the Oceanarium’s di- Rescuers and spectators let out a an Oceanarium spokesperson. rector of training, to ride out the storm. loud cheer, raised their hands tri- Spectators applauded as the seven- Unfortunately, there was no room for umphantly in the air and exchanged vehicle convoy pulled away. the others, said Connie Chevis, a vet- “high-fi ves.” One relief worker from the Salisbury erinarian for the Oceanarium. Since the storm, the Oceanarium Fire Department explained that his “I have no idea how he got here,” team has recovered all but two of the team had been doing body recovery Chevis said. “I am concerned. The facility’s 27 seals and sea lions—the that morning, then responded to a longer he’s out there, the more criti- farthest was 30 miles east of the facil- house fi re. He said he welcomed the cal it becomes because he’s in fresh ity. They were still holding out hope to opportunity to aid in the rescue effort. water and he’s a salt-water animal. He fi nd the two remaining animals—Bart, “This is the fi rst time I’ve seen people needs the salt and it’s been 12 days a California sea lion, and Cody, a har- smiling in over a week,” he said with a (at the time of the rescue) since he’s bor seal. laugh. “I guess you can call us SEAL eaten.” “We lost fi ve,” Romagnoli said in a Team One now.”• Oceanarium and relief work- ers quickly put together a res- cue plan. First, they would use a small chain- saw to cut a section from a small rowboat to fi t the animal’s crate. Then, they would tow the boat out to Andre with the “Argo” amphibi- ous all-terrain vehicle brought by the Rowan County Rescue Squad. Andre’s prima- ry trainer, Marci Romagnoli, would lead the retrieval effort. “We’re hoping that he’ll go vol- Rescue workers pull Andre the sea lion out of a fresh-water marsh after Hurricane Katrina blew untarily into the the sea lion out of the ocean.

Page 15 The Buckeye Response Evacuating The SSUPERDOMEUPERDOME By Spc. Benjamin Cossel

NEW ORLEANS — When Hurri- to locate their platoons, the teams shelter were available. cane Katrina laid waste to the city of deployed and began the huge task “We had to start controlling the New Orleans, an estimated 8,000 of evacuating the Superdome. fl ow of people,” McHugh said. “It to 10,000 people took refuge in the The fi rst task was getting people was like a gigantic rock concert Superdome. through processing stations before with everyone trying to get out at As conditions in the city went from boarding buses and being taken the same time.” bad to worse, moving the displaced to a safe location where food and When the Soldiers arrived, they citizens in the Super- became the fi rst mili- dome to a safer location tary unit to back up became a priority for city Soldiers from the Loui- offi cials. siana National Guard. The call for help went “The Louisiana guys out the evening of Aug were doing everything 31. WIthin 24 hours, Citi- in their power to man- zen-Soldiers of the Ohio age the huge amount Army National Guard’s of people in the 1st Battalion, 148th Infan- ‘Dome,” McHugh said. try, were assisting in the “But they were simply evacuation of the Louisi- outnumbered. Just like ana Superdome. almost everyone in the “We deployed so rap- ‘Dome, those guys lost idly, that at fi rst we didn’t almost everything.” even know what our mis- McHugh went on to sion was,” said Sgt. 1st explain that given the Class Jim Scally of D circumstances, mem- Comapny. bers of the Louisiana Initially, the Soldiers National Guard did a fl ew into Belle Chasse tremendous job. Naval Air Station. Upon “If it hadn’t been for hitting the ground, com- the Soldiers of the Lou- manders choppered to isiana National Guard, the Superdome to get an we wouldn’t have been initial assessment of what able to quickly accom- their Soldiers would face. plish our mission. They “The scene on the did a tremendous job ground was absolute cha- giving us information os,” said Toledo resident about the Superdome, 2nd Lt. Patrick McHugh. the situation on hand “I was completely and pointing us to the overwhelmed with the places that needed our breadth of destruction I When Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans, between attention.” witnessed.” 8,000 and 10,000 people took refuge in the Superdome. Getting everyone After fi guring out where (Photo by Pfc. Jesse Morgan) out of the Superdome

Page 16 The Buckeye Response

ing plumbing and “Once we found them, most electricity. When cleared out and got into the pro- Katrina tore off cessing lines,” Scally said. “But we sections of the had a couple that we had to take to ‘Dome’s roof, the processing lines and put them water spilled in, on the buses.” fl ooding much of With the Superdome completely the area. secure, the 1-148th Soldiers moved The Ohio Sol- on to their new mission of search diers made their and rescue operations. But for both way through sev- Scally and McHugh, the memories eral huge piles of of what they saw will stay with them trash and other forever. debris, at a very “Even if they get this place com- Once the evacuation was complete, city workers be- slow pace. pletely cleaned up and running gan massive clean-up operations at the Superdome. “Inside the again, I don’t think I will be able ‘Dome was the to come in here,” McHugh said. “I took three days. With the majority of worst squalor I’ve ever seen,” Scal- think the memories of the smells refugees out of the facility, the mis- ly said. “Moving through was ex- and sights would be just too much sion changed to the awesome task tremely slow at fi rst, as we had to and too vivid.” of clearing every room within the make our way through all the trash Scally agreed. Superdome. and excrement and everything that “I know I’ll never be able to for- “When we fi rst walked into the was left behind. I mean, the whole get what I saw inside there,” Scally place, the fi rst thing that almost thing reminded me of something said. “But you know what? It’s mis- knocked you down was the stench,” you would expect to see in a third- sions like that…where I feel like a Scally said. world country.” very small part of this very large ef- For nearly a week, the several During their search, Soldiers fort.... I feel like I was able to make thousand people, and in some cas- discovered 10 people who’d de- a difference…and I’ll never forget es, their pets, crammed into the Su- cided they didn’t want to leave the that either.”• perdome, which was without work- ‘Dome’s confi nes.

Soldiers of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1-148th Infantry Battalion were the fi rst out- of-state Soldiers to assist in the evacuation of the Louisiana Superdome. (Photo by Pfc. Jesse Morgan) Page 17 The Buckeye Response

people that needed food and water. Now the roles are reversed.” HHittingitting CloseClose toto HomeHome Shortly after arriving and begin- ning relief operations in Poplarville, By Sgt. Kimberly Snow Vince Fontaine in his high-school Maurer received more bad news. production of Grease. He was sub- Although his family weathered the POPLARVILLE, Miss. — For one sequently cast as Action in another storm relatively well, sustaining only Ohio National Guardsman, helping high-school production, West Side minor property damage, word of others overcome adversity in the Story. family friends began trickling in. aftermath of Hurricane Katrina be- After graduating high school and “The fi rst couple of days (of the came a way to help himself. completing his military training, Mau- deployment) were really rough, just One of the deadliest and most rer returned home and resumed his trying to deal with everything all at costly natural disasters in recent construction job in New Orleans. once,” he said. “Then slowly it would U.S. history, Katrina decimated a “When I got out of AIT, I was trying get better, but then it kept dropping more than 100-mile swath of the to get back in the groove of things,” back because every day somebody Gulf Coast and with it, a piece of he said. “I got a call from my high would call with more bad news. I’d Cpl. Otto J. Maurer Jr.’s wind up back in the same childhood. ““ItIt lliftsifts mmyy sspiritspirits eeveryvery ttimeime I sseeee state.” A 22-year-old theater In all, he lost seven close major at Kent State Uni- ssomebodyomebody smilesmile oror thankthank us.”us.” friends. versity, the Franklin, La., Then came news of his native joined the Louisiana Cpl. Otto J. Maurer nephew. National Guard in Novem- 1-134th Field Artillery Battalion During a 10-month deploy- ber 2001 as a chemical ment to Italy last year, Mau- specialist. rer learned that his nephew, After being accepted to the Kent school theater teacher saying he Billy P. Novak, had been diagnosed State theater program, he moved to was taking a student for an audition with leukemia. Ohio in May 2003, and transferred at Kent State and wanted to know if “I went to see my fi rst sergeant to the Alliance-based B Battery, 1- I wanted to come. I got there and it (Dale Steele) and I broke down,” he 134th Field Artillery Battalion. Al- just seemed to be a great place.” said. “Because, I mean, the boy’s though eager to begin his educa- Maurer was getting ready to begin only 14 years old.” tion, Maurer felt compelled to serve his junior year at Kent State when Novak needed a bone marrow his country following the Sept. 11, Hurricane Katrina escalated from donor, and found one in his sister, 2001 terrorist attacks. a tropical storm to a hurricane and then 8-year-old Sarah Novak. After “At fi rst, I was looking into going began threatening the Gulf Coast. treatment, the cancer went into re- to Syracuse University or New York He followed the developing storm mission and the family felt they had University,” he said. “I made audi- closely, checking in on his family of- dodged a bullet. tions, but my (Initial Entry Training) ten. “They told us there was a small ship-out date was interfering with On Sept. 2, two days after Katrina chance it would come back. But if the semesters, so it kind of took a tore through the Mississippi and it did, there would be a slim chance back seat.” Louisiana coasts, he received one they could do anything about it,” he Having always been interested of two calls that he had been wait- said. “A couple of days ago I called in acting, Maurer began to take the ing for — the fi rst was that his family my mom. She happened to be on craft more seriously after audition- was OK. the phone with my sister. The tests ing for his fi rst role — a high-school Then, he received the second call came back and it had returned. It production of A Soldier’s Story. Al- he had been waiting for — his unit was one of those points when I was though he was not cast, he worked was deploying in support of relief ef- just getting back to being OK with the production backstage and said forts. He reported to his armory the everything. It was like a slap in the he knew it was what he wanted to following day. face.” do ever since. “It’s had more of an effect on me Although dealing with the loss of Maurer worked to hone his craft than most, I think. Because every his friends and worrying about his and was rewarded after his sec- so many years, I was going through family, Maurer carried on, picking ond audition, landing the role of this,” Maurer said. “I was on the oth- up extra work to keep busy. One the smooth-talking radio announcer er side of the fence. I was one of the day, while waiting for his platoon to Page 18 The Buckeye Response

temporarily taken up residence, he saw his squad working to clear up debris and fallen trees in a schoolyard. He had his mom drop him there so he could “get a few hours of work in,” he said. Maurer said his fellow Soldiers, especially his squad and leader- ship, have helped him through the tough times. “My fi rst sergeant shot me an e-mail the day that (the hurricane) happened, before I really even knew what exactly was going on,” he said. “It was just nice to know that people care. They’re a great group of people to be involved with. I’d take six in the head for them… well, four for sure.” Through everything, Maurer re- Cpl. Otto J. Maurer Jr., a chemical specialist with B Battery, 1-134th Field Ar- mained focused on his mission, tillery, deployed with his unit to Poplarville, Miss., with Joint Task Force Buck- Steele said. eye and the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Maurer is a native of Franklin, La., “Cpl. Maurer is a really moti- and lives in Kent, where he is a theater major at Kent State University. vated troop. He always gives 110 pick up a mission, he volunteered to ries fl ooded him as he passed by the percent in everything he does,” work with another platoon, distribut- familiar silhouette of the Superdome he said. “Everybody likes Cpl. Mau- ing food, water and ice to hurricane in the New Orleans skyline. rer, I don’t know of anybody who’s victims. “I thought, ‘my childhood’s gone,’” ever said a bad thing about him. “It lifts my spirits every time I see he said. The guy’s just got a big heart. He’s somebody smile or thank us,” he But he was quick to correct him- a great person.” said. “When you’re young, especial- self. As for the future, Maurer is anx- ly from a guy’s standpoint, you’re “No, only a part of it,” he said. “I try ious to start school. He returned to always playing games and trying my best to look forward. I know (my Ohio Sept. 15 along with many of to be the hero. And then something friends) are in a better place now. the Ohio National Guard college like this happens. And somebody But it’s never going to be the same. students deployed to the region. He you’ve never met in your life, and So many friends… we shared a lot wants to become an actor, prefer- probably will never see again, walks of good times, bad times together. ably on the big screen, but will go up to you and says that you’re their Anytime you lose somebody it’s like wherever his craft takes him, Mau- hero just for coming down and help- a damper on the spirit.” rer said. ing them out. It’s just a wonderful Although unable to attend memo- His dream role would be to play feeling.” rial services, he and some friends the part of Dr. Chris Nielson, a char- Eventually, Maurer asked for and had their own “liquor-pouring” cer- acter played by Robin Williams in was granted a three-day pass to emony in honor of the friends they the 1998 movie What Dreams May check on family and friends. lost. Come, Maurer said. “He was hesitant because he Maurer said he was thankful for “That is my favorite movie of all didn’t want to take away from our the time with family and friends, es- time,” he said. “The role he played mission,” said Sgt. 1st Class Steve pecially for the day he spent with was so dynamic. It’s about a guy J. Netzband, Maurer’s platoon ser- his nephews and nieces. But then it who’s had to deal with constant geant. “It was hard for him to come was time to get back to work. drawbacks, but rather than keep forward and request something for Although his pass didn’t end un- his feelings forward, he always sets himself. He’ll bend over backward til midnight Sept. 11, he returned them aside...” for anybody. He’s just one heck of a around 2:45 p.m. As he was driv- Sounds familiar.• troop, one heck of a person.” ing toward the Mississippi National Driving home to Franklin, memo- Guard Armory where his unit had

Page 19 The Buckeye Response

gether, as needed. “I’m amazed at how the Na- tional Guard has come together PPreventingreventing illness,illness, savingsaving liveslives with all other assets,” said Par- By Spc. Chad Menegay rett, “and it’s interesting to see this many troops in one area.” CAMERON, La. — Some ar- for the Area Support Medical With so many Soldiers work- eas of southwestern Louisiana Battalion “That’s part of our mis- ing long hours in a potentially more resemble waste dumps sion too.” hazardous environment, med- than residential communities. The unusual operation of med- ics were prepared to work long Some parishes, like Cameron, ics working hand in hand with hours too, mostly on sick call. have lost two-thirds of their live- civilian emergency personnel “My job’s to keep those Sol- stock. appeared to work seamlessly, diers handing out food and water Millions of dollars worth of sug- while medical supplies trans- up and running,” said Sgt. Johna- arcane has been wiped out. Salt- ferred hands than Miniard, a combat medic for water has replaced freshwater. and the in- There are reports of cemeteries jured were se- turned inside-out. The estimated cured to spi- cost of recovery is in the billions nal boards for of dollars and the estimated time transport. One to rebuild is several years. young woman However, since the Category was trans- 3 Hurricane Rita made landfall ported via a Sept. 24 on the far southwest local medical coast of Louisiana with 120 mph evacuation winds, the main focus of aid was (MEDEVAC) on saving lives and preventing helicopter. illness. The man- Thousands of National Guard- ner in which members deployed with only a this one traffi c few hours notice to do just that. accident was Enter the combat medic. handled could The combat medic is specially be viewed trained to take care of people, as a micro- usually Soldiers. cosm of the However, combat medics of way the Na- the 2-107th Cavalry Squadron tional Guard in Kettering, the 2-104th Cavalry had been Squadron in Reading, Pa., and working with the 111th Area Medical Support other agen- Battalion in Pheonix, Ariz., re- cies, such as sponded to a two-vehicle traffi c the Federal accident Oct. 2 in Jennings, La., Emergency to treat several severely injured Manage- civilians. ment Agency Sgt. Bob Klinger (left), a combat medic and platoon “In the midst of getting our area and the Red sergeant for Headquarters Troop, 2-104th Cavalry established, one of our ambu- Cross, in the Squadron in Reading, Pa., opens a velcro strap to lance teams responded to a ci- Gulf Coast as secure an injured civilian’s head and neck to a spi- vilian trauma,” said 1st Lt. Karin a whole, re- nal board after a two-vehicle accident. Parrett, a physician’s assistant sponding to- Page 20 The Buckeye Response

2-107th Cavalry Squadron. “I’m also keeping a running records chart, so if they catch something contagious or anything, we’ve got it on record.” “Mostly, I’m doing patient eval- uations, taking vitals, checking temperatures and blood pres- sure,” said Army Guard Spc. Sara Gordoa, a combat medic for Arizona Medical Command in Phoenix. “I’ll get a medical his- tory and fi nd out what the pain’s like to make an initial assess- ment. Then I’ll get them fl uids, bed rest, or whatever else might be required.” The health conditions of south- western Louisiana were still Spc. Sara Gordoa, a combat medic of the 111th Area Support Medi- somewhat unknown, as the En- cal Battalion in Phoenix, Ariz., listens for bowel sounds in a FEMA vironmental Protection Agency supply truck driver’s intestines at a mobile emergency room in Jen- and others test the waters, air and nings, La. The patient complained of stomach pain. soil. The EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental best thing to do is stay clean and react to whatever illness they Quality found that receding fl ood use bug spray.” might encounter. They had prac- waters deposited residual fuel oil “There’s a lot of standing wa- tice at adapting and reacting and bacteria, such as E. coli, in ter here (Jennings, La.), and during the deployment. For ex- the New Orleans soil, but results we’ve also found water mocca- ample, elements of C Company, of most other areas of Louisiana sins,” Miniard said. “The fl ood- 111th ASMB moved three times have yet to be concluded. ing is pushing them up. That’s in fi ve days. Areas of concern are poten- why we put a walkway up for our “We can attach to any brigade tially contaminated soil, air, food guards.” or battalion within our area of or standing water, stray wildlife, Parrett recommended to Sol- support, and within our company mosquitoes and other insects, diers that they shake their bags break into treatment teams with mold, drinking water and the out in the morning before digging a doctor, a physician assistant, heat index. into them. medics and support personnel,” The most immediate threats Medical personnel also Parret said. “We have the fl ex- are ants and mosquitos, Parrett stressed showering and sanitiz- ibility to move wherever they said. “Louisiana has more cases ing one’s hands on a regular ba- need us too.” of West Nile virus than any other sis. “I love it when you’re in a situ- state,” he said. “One mission is Of course, in the heat, com- ation that’s not the friendliest, but to get the standing water fi lled mon sense advice, like drink- you make things work anyway,” in.” ing plenty of bottled water, was Gordoa said. “I want to wake up There hadn’t been a case of a stressed over and over again. and not know what’s going to Soldier in southwestern Louisi- “Hydrate!” Parrett said. happen, but know I’m going to ana contracting West Nile virus, Yet, sickness is often out of make a difference. Even though but medical personnel were still one’s control, in which case, we have changes 24-7, morale aware of the danger. Soldiers can rely on sick call, has been good. We’re actually “The mosquitos are huge and because combat medics say where we’re needed: in the fi eld relentless,” Miniard said. “The they’re prepared to adapt and helping Soldiers.”• Page 21 The Buckeye Response Some Called Them ‘Team Ice’ By Spc. Chad Menegay

LAKE CHARLES, La. — If a ve- The HHC, 37th BCT coordinated Green at the Chennault Internation- hicle rolled up and asked for three with the 112th Engineer Battalion al Airport in Lake Charles, La. bags of ice, they’d say, “33 bags of (Brook Park) in handling the major- “This is a real good event for all ice coming up!” ity of the distribution points in the of my Soldiers in HHC as we pretty “They overwhelmed the populace the Lake Charles area. In addition, much are specialized in staff opera- with the amount of ice they gave the BCT synchronized efforts with tions,” Nelson said It gives them an out,” said 1st Sgt. William Nelson, local FEMA representatives, the opportunity to get out and feel like of Headquarters and they’re more of a Headquarters Com- ““II pprayray thatthat eeveryoneveryone hashas consistentconsistent motivationmotivation forfor valuable piece of pany of the 37th Bri- the entire relief mis- gade Combat Team tthishis aandnd remembersremembers whowho they’rethey’re doingdoing itit for.”for.” sion. It gives them a (Columbus). feel for what every- It wasn’t just ice, ~~Pfc.Pfc. MMarkark JJonesones ~ body is seeing and though, that mem- ~~TroopTroop A,A, 11stst SSquadron,quadron, 107th107th CavalryCavalry witnessing with the bers of the 37th BCT civilian population bestowed upon the coming back into Lake Charles, La. their homes.” (Moss Bluff), community Oct. 7 in Wal-Mart store owner and the Sal- “It makes me feel good; I’m ex- a Wal-Mart parking lot next to the vation Army. cited, because we didn’t fall short of Calcasieu River. They also handed “Our concern was not to take the goal,” Jones said”• out about $100,000 in water and away from what they were doing,” food (tuna, potato chips, beef jerky, Nelson said. crackers with peanut butter and jel- The Salvation Army served ly, and cookies). hot meals in the WalMart park- “What do you want, Famous Amos ing lot, which complimented the or Lorna Doone?” asked Pfc. Mark dry goods, water and ice Soldiers Jones, an M-1 Abrams main battle handed out. Wal-Mart donated 10 tank mechanic for Alpha Company, pallets of ice to the cause. 1-107th Armor Battalion (Newton The store opened Oct. 4 to the Falls). “You want some Pringles, general public and was working to some tuna? Alright, I’m gonna mix stock up on every item that was it up for you.” provided prior to Hurricane Rita. The mission was to distribute the The state of emergency was items they had sorted through and lifted in Lake Charles on Oct. 7, packed. when the electricity for several “We took a lot of FEMA (Federal commercial and residential areas Emergency Management Agency) was restored. resources and put together a help- Many stores and homes were ing hand for the folks here in Lake still without power, however, and Charles,” Nelson said. “It was a little many more were in need of major extra thing that we were able to ac- repair. complish, to provide folks with some “I pray that everyone has con- of the things that they needed. sistent motivation for this, and re- “We set this up to handle some members who they’re doing it for,” of the overfl ow,” Nelson added. “We Jones said. Pfc. Mark Jones, an M-1 Abrams tank- were all very conscious of the fact Jones worked in food, supply, mechanic for Company, A, 1-107th Ar- that we didn’t want any of this food, administrative and maintenance mor Battalion, assists a local civilian in water or ice to go to waste.” roles as part of Joint Task Force putting together a package of food. Page 22 The Buckeye Response OPERATION SANDBAG

By Staff Sgt. Bob Barko, Jr portation from the 110th Combat Support Battalion from Georgia. Dillon and a Soldier from the WAVELAND, Miss – When JTF Buckeye Joint Operations a forecast of nasty weather Center coordinated the effort of threatened to fl ood a civilian all the different elements of the fi eld hospital set up in the KMart vital operation. parking lot, Soldiers from Ohio, “Everybody wanted to pitch Florida and Georgia Army Na- in and do something to help tional Guard units answered the the people because they’ve lost desperate call for help. everything,” Dillon said. “The Unwittingly, the North Carolina Soldiers here, whether they’re State Medical Assistance Team fi lling sandbags or they’re go- erected its mobile hospital in a ing house-to-house to check on water runoff area. Rather than people, know it’s all part of the take it down and move it, some mission to help the people re- reinforcement was in order. cover from the hurricane. It’s all Dr. Tom Blackwell, SMAT a huge teamwork effort by Flor- medical director and head of ida, Georgia and Ohio to make medical operations, decided this happen.” solving this problem was top pri- As Dillon ensured the opera- ority for the fi eld hospital work- tion ran smoothly, one of the ers. Soldiers fi lling sandbags at the While the SMAT hospital nearby Hancock County Public was designed to assist existing Works site shared his thoughts medical facilities with overfl ow on the National Guard’s relief ef- in an area affected by a natural A Florida National Guard Soldier fi lls one of more forts. disaster, sealing the fi eld hos- than 1,000 sandbags at the Hancock County Spc. Charles Cabana is a pital from potential high waters Public Works site in Waveland, Miss. The bags Soldier with Headquarters and was not something they could were transported by a 5-ton truck to the parking Headquarters Company, 3- handle. lot of the Kmart in Waveland, where they were 124th Infantry Battalion, Florida “To get it done, we knew who used to waterproof a makeshift fi eld hospital. Army National Guard, based in we needed to call and that was gether to jumpstart the emergency Panama City, Fla. the National Guard,” Blackwell project. “I think it’s great. Every little bit said. “Using National Guard as- The call for help rapidly reached can help. Right now, these guys are sets to help us sandbag this fa- Sgt. Maj. William Dillon, 73rd Troop fi lling sandbags and helping out the cility is an incredibly important Command, Ohio Army National local fi eld hospital here.” logistical piece that we need.” Guard. He was the operations ser- The 12-hour operation provided a Although the job of fi lling, geant major for Joint Task Force little more assurance that the SMAT transporting and stacking the Buckeye, Ohio’s military contin- unit would be in Waveland for the more than 1,000 sandbags gency that helped with relief in the long hall. needed to waterproof the hospi- aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “We will be assisting this commu- tal seemed daunting to SMAT, it After JTF Buckeye received the nity and supporting Hancock Medi- was nothing out of the ordinary order to complete the sandbag cal Center until they tell us, ‘thanks, for the National Guard. operation, Dillon contacted Task but we’re ready to take over,’” After receiving the hospital’s Force Florida, another element of Blackwell said. He estimated at the urgent plea, the Hancock Coun- JTF Buckeye, to send more than 25 time it would take six to eight weeks ty Public Works Department and Soldiers to fi ll, load and stack the for the county hospital to be back in the National Guard worked to- sandbags. He also called in trans- business.• Page 23 PParticipatingarticipating UUnitsnits

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