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Posted on 01/05/2006 8:04:17 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO (Jan. 6, 2006) -- Sixteen members of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91109 deployed to New Orleans to assist in provide assistance and security in recovery missions from Sept. 6 to Sept. 21
While very few depot Marines see opportunities to deploy, Coast Guard security teams were called upon to assist in searches for survivors of the hurricane.
This past year, the 175 mile-per-hour winds of Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. A storm surge broke through the levee system that protected the city from Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, resulting in a citywide flood. Katrina became one of the most destructive and costliest natural disasters in the history of the United States, most likely the deadliest since 1928.
Along with other military and state aid that assisted in the hurricane relief, depot Coast Guard units from MSST deployed for a short period to assist in efforts.
"There were 16 of us deployed," said Lt. j.g. Shawn Vaccaro. The unit broke into two teams of eight, according to Vaccaro.
There was no special training integrated into their schedule before they left. A representative from the Critical Incident Stress-management Team came to brief them about things to expect while on deployment. The unit was stationed with Coast Guard New Orleans Forward Operating Base.
"While we were down there, we provided physical security for the fighter task forces," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Oscar Carbajal, land unit coast guard.
"Basically, we were their boat operators and force protection while they were doing their checks," said Vaccaro, whose team provided security protection for urban search-and-rescue teams and Coast Guard personnel.
"The biggest role we played was just assisting the urban search and rescue teams in their mission accomplishment," said Vaccaro.
After Katrina hit, people were struggling to survive. Small groups of resistance were looting and shooting officers. Soon after, military aid was called. "It was brought up but we never encountered any pockets of resistance," said Vaccaro. "The (U.S. Army's) 82nd Airborne pretty much took over."
MSST met at Zephyr Stadium, where the New Orleans Saints practice, every morning for a brief, according to Vaccaro.
"It was an all day operation, but we were only in the water for two to four hours," said Vaccaro.
Before Coast Guardsmen could head off for the day, they had to go through a decontamination process, clean and stow gear and debrief, according to Vaccaro.
Vaccaro remembers a man being rescued from his attic after three weeks while living on a gallon of water. "We were out there when one of the teams pulled him out," said Vaccaro.
"He was very alert," said Vaccaro. "One of the things I remember hearing about him; they were carrying him to get transported to the hospital and he whispered to the medics 'Can we stop by Burger King on the way?'"
Vaccaro said the images of New Orleans left a lasting impression.
"The TV shows a lot of pictures, but you really have no idea until you are actually there," said Vaccaro.
MSST San Diego units returned within the month with no casualties.
MSST is a unit compiled of nearly 70 coast guardsmen; 20 serve on the land as a counterterrorism unit, 40 to 50 serve as a mobile water unit. The main mission of the water unit is to patrol the waters and keep illegal drugs and immigrants from crossing over the border.
Similar to a Marine Corps Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team, the land unit of MSST is trained for quick insertion and small-team operations. "That's what I like about it," said Carbajal.
Carbajal said he went into this field because he looked forward to working with small groups in a training atmosphere.
Before their superiors designate new arrivals, Coast Guardsmen receive further training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. All Coast Guardsmen will take part in a five-week training cycle.
"It was awesome," said Carbajal. "Five weeks of moving around and shooting - all kinds of crazy stuff."
Tonk! You should be especially interested in this one.
Coast Guard Ping!
Excellent!
redrock
Very cool!
With all that I put up I really do try to find Coast Guard stories to put up when I can find them.
Excellent! Thanks for the heads up here Tonk.
Bump!
The Coasties were there from beginning to end, doing what needed to be done without any glory. I remember! Go, Coasties!
Thanks for the ping!
BTTT
BTTT
A bump to the Tonk!
*Louisiana Ping List
If you would like on or off the Louisiana Ping list please FReepmail me and your name will be added or taken off of the list.
I've seen some 'inside' pictures of NO and the surrounding area and all I can say is the day our troops arrived is the day the Saints came marching in.
"The TV shows a lot of pictures, but you really have no idea until you are actually there," said Vaccaro.
This statement from someone on the ground is important for everyone to remember and think about the next time they question why people haven't simply rebuilt already with their insurance money. People who haven't seen it first hand just have no idea of the scope of the damage. It is so widespread it's just unbelievable. And I'm not just talking New Orleans. It includes everywhere from the Mississippi coast to SW Louisiana and SE Texas.
That is very true. I am in the outlying area and my neighborhood received mostly roof damage and trees down. Even now every time I go more than 5 miles from my house I see all sorts of debris piled up in yards and blue roofs on probably 40% or more of the houses. Lots of people have gotten flat tires because of all the lumber beside the road and falling out of dump trucks. Don't get me wrong things have improved; but, they still have so far to go.
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