Hurricane Helene wrought an incredible disaster for the Florida Panhandle region and beyond. In the aftermath, America’s active-duty Military
, including the National Guard sprang into action, carrying out a large humanitarian operation. The carrying capacity and tactical maneuverability of numerous aircraft enabled this.

Before, during, and in the aftermath of a natural disaster, the US military and National Guard are prime assets for disaster relief efforts. They have trained personnel in place who can be deployed to any situation in any geographical location within the United States on short notice.

Soldiers moving relief aid.

Photo: U.S. Army |Sgt. Jalen Thomas

Additionally, they have the equipment and the necessary materials to surge into place in response to the disaster. What supplies these organizations lack can be rapidly procured and moved into the disaster zone once operations have begun.

Destroyer of worlds: Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene was a massive, highly destructive Category 4 hurricane that left wide-ranging destruction across a 500-mile area, stretching from the Big Bend area in Florida to the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Destroyed city street.

Photo: Bill McMannis | Wikimedia Commons

As it stands today, Helene has caused in excess of 200 confirmed deaths and left millions without power or access to water across at least five states. Additionally, whole communities have been cut off, as the floodwaters have essentially erased hundreds of roads, buildings, homes, and vehicles.

The response

According to the Department of Defense, at the request of FEMA, Secretary of Defense Austin:

“…has authorized the movement of up to 1,000 active-duty Soldiers to support the delivery of food, water, and other critical aid “over the last mile to the point of need” to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.”

Helicopter pilots sitting in the cockpit.

Photo: U.S. Army | Pfc. Eli Johnson

The active-duty personnel and their equipment will be utilized in the following ways:

  • The US Army and
    US Navy

    helicopters, soldiers, and Sailors are providing critical capability to move personnel and supplies in areas where road access is not available or viable.

  • US Air Force aircraft, helicopters, and Airmen provide search-and-rescue capabilities.
  • US Army soldiers and high-wheeled vehicles move personnel and supplies over roads and terrain damaged or impassable to normal vehicles.
  • Army Corps of Engineers Temporary Power Teams and subject-matter experts supporting debris removal, water and wastewater management, and bridge inspections.
Crew loading supplies onto an aircraft.

Photo: USAF

The C-17 Globemaster, the Air Force’s primary long-distance hauler

General Characteristics

Primary Function

Cargo and troop transport

Prime Contractor

Boeing Company

Power Plant

4x Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines

Thrust

40,440 pounds, each engine

Wingspan

169 feet 10 inches (to winglet tips)

Length

174 feet

Height

55 feet 1 inch

Cargo Compartment

length, 88 feet; width, 18 feet; height, 12 feet 4 inches

Service Ceiling

45,000 feet at cruising speed

Range

Global with in-flight refueling

Crew

Three (two pilots and one loadmaster)

Aeromedical Evacuation Crew

A basic crew of five (2 flight nurses & 3 medical technicians) is added for aeromedical evacuation missions. Medical crew may be altered as required by needs of patients.

Maximum Takeoff Weight

585,000 pounds

Personnel carrying capacity

102 troops/paratroops; 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients and attendants; 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) of cargo (18 pallet positions)

Unit Cost

202.3 million (fiscal 1998 constant dollars)

$202.3 million (fiscal 1998 constant dollars)

Date Deployed

June 1993

Inventory

Active duty, 157; Air National Guard, 47; Air Force Reserve, 18

Details provided by the USAF

The active-duty soldiers are supplemented by over 6,500 National Guard soldiers, mobilized from Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They will be aided by Guard soldiers from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, Ohio, and Iowa. These guard soldiers have been deployed with dozens of helicopters, rescue boats, and high-wheel vehicles.

C-17 flying against a mountainous background.

Photo: USAF

Military aviation and the crucial role it plays in the recovery effort

The central purpose of a disaster relief operation is to orchestrate the transportation of first-aid materials, food, essential equipment, and personnel from central distribution hubs to their numerous and scattered points of need throughout the affected region as quickly and effectively as possible. Additionally, and just as importantly, the outward-bound transport of the survivors to medical centers and temporary living quarters must be coordinated.

Helicopter crew member surveying flooded area.

Photo: U.S. Army | Pfc. Eli Johnson

The actions of active-duty US military personnel and the National Guard have initiated the aforementioned basic guideline for disaster relief.

According to the National Guard:

“The vital supplies, including 48 pallets of Meals Ready to Eat and 24 pallets of water, were flown on a C-17 Globemaster III from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport to Asheville Regional Airport, which has become a central distribution hub due to impassable roadways caused by flooding and debris. The rural communities in the storm’s path have been cut off from regular supply routes due to severe damage to roads, making ground transportation nearly impossible. The choice to use the C-17 Globemaster III was strategic, allowing the NCANG to deliver the equivalent of three fully loaded semi-trucks in just 30 minutes of flight time — a stark contrast to the seven hours it would have taken for ground vehicles to navigate the hazardous conditions.”

H-47 Chinook (Heavy–lift Helicopter)

Specifications

Numerical Data

Dimensions

Rotor Diameter

60 feet

Rotors unfolded

98 feet, 10.7 inches

Rotors folded

50 feet, 9 inches

Fuselage

51 feet, 2 inches

Height (overall)

10 feet, 7.8 inches

Fuselage Width

12 feet, 5 inches

Static forward

7 feet, 6 inches

Idling forward

10 feet, 11 inches

Fuel Capacity

1080 gallons

Propulsion

Powerplant type

2x Honeywell T55-GA-714A engines producing 4,777 shp (3,529 kW) each.

Performance (Standard day, sea level)

Maximum Speed

170 KTAS

Cruise Speed

157 KTAS

Mission Radius

165 nm

Service Ceiling

20,000 feet

Max Gross Weight

54,000 lbs.

Useful Load

27,700 lbs.

CH-47 delivering cargo.

Photo: U.S. Army

The National Guard is said to have deployed 46 helicopters across the affected region. The fleet includes

CH-47
Chinooks, UH-60 Blackhawks, HH-60 Pave Hawks, and L/UH-72 Lakotas.

Specifically in Tennessee and according to Defense Visual Information and Distribution Service:

“Tennessee Guardsmen are currently providing 24-hour, ground and aerial rescue and relief support. Since flooding began, servicemembers from the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, based at Knoxville’s Joint Base McGhee-Tyson and Nashville’s Berry Field, have rescued over 100 citizens, transported over 34,000 pounds of drinking water, food, generators, and other equipment to those in need. They also performed 11 reconnaissance missions surveying dams, bridges, roadways, and other critical infrastructure to begin repairs.Today, these aviators are continuing rescue and relief operations throughout the affected counties.”

Screenshot 2024-10-03 232725 The UH-60 Blackhawk (Multi-Mission Performer)

Specifications

Numerical data

Capabilities

Crew / total weight

3/725 lb.

3 / 725 lb.

Troops / weight/each

11 / 240 lb.

Cargo hook capacity

8,000 lb.

Performance

Weight empty

11,284 lb.

Primary mission gross weight

16,994 lb.

Maximum gross weight (slick configuration)

20,250 lb.

Cruise speed (16,800, 4,000 ft, 95ºF @ 100% MCP)

140 kts

Vertical rate of climb, feet per minute – 16,800 lb, 4,000 ft, 95ºF, 95% IRP – 18,000 lb, 4,000 ft, 95ºF, 95% IRP

377 0

Details provided by Sikorsky (A Lockheed Martin Company)

The rescue and relief efforts are ongoing

Hurricane Helene was one of the worst disasters to hit the United States in many years. Tragically, it is highly likely that the reported fatalities caused by this hurricane will only increase in the ensuing days and weeks.

The disaster relief effort by the active-duty U.S. military, National Guard, FEMA, and private organizations is incredible, and they are truly heroes. These amazing relief personnel are aided by a strong backbone of military and, to some extent, private aviation.

Soldiers walk through a devastated street.

Photo: U.S. Army | 1st Lt. Brandon Miles

These aeronautic assets provide the strategic and tactical movement of rescuers, supplies, and equipment to the exact locations where they are needed. The C-17s move the supplies and personnel to the regional, primary hub of operations. From there, they move out into the field via helicopter. The helicopter fleet provides precise and timely delivery to relief personnel and needed aid supplies.

While we are witnessing the aftermath of a horrific tragedy that has affected millions of Americans, we are also witnessing the incredible capabilities of the US military and National Guard and their aviation assets to render life-saving aid.

God Bless our military, first responders, and aid workers.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *