Posted on 09/20/2005 2:21:20 PM PDT by Racehorse
CAMP MABRY, Texas (Sept. 20, 2005) -- Texas Army National Guard personnel will temporarily move equipment from Houston to Austin today in anticipation of Hurricane Rita as other personnel are poised to respond to hurricane Rita.
Today at 3 p.m. the sky over Austin will momentarily be the scene of 13 AH-64 Apache helicopters as they fly in from Houston and make Austin Army Aviation Support Facility at Bergstrom International Airport their temporary home.
Lt. Col. James T. Kenyon, Texas Army Aviation and Safety director, said they made the decision to move the assets because of the potential hurricane threat to Houston and the Texas coast.
Additionally, Gov. Rick Perry has requested 1,750 Army and Air National Guard men and women pre-position themselves as Joint Task Force Rita between Austin and San Antonio.
Their expertise lies in rescue, medical, transportation, distribution of supplies, security and road clearing missions. Included in the package are three CH-47 Chinooks, six UH-60 Black Hawks and two OH-58 Kiowa helicopters.
In addition, the 136th Airlift Wing, based in Fort Worth, is preparing to support Joint Task Force Rita with four C-130 aircraft for constant rotation by Friday morning.
Troops returning to Texas from Louisiana over the next two days will “reset” at Camp Swift, near Bastrop, Texas, and will serve as “reserve” support forces if necessary and as directed by the governor.
Governor Perry has also requested that the Texas State Guard provide 500 of their volunteers to provide shelter management if and when that becomes a necessity.
Sure hope we don't need it.
Hey! You cant call them Apaches any more!. They are multicultural whirlybirds.
Go Texas...
How many NOLA evacs are currently in Galvaston?
Should Probably send the Mexican Marines back too, they may be needed at home if this thing veers south...
Apaches for looting control?
And again, Texas shows NO how to do it. State prison officials have already begun moving inmates out of UTMB and not referring any more patients down there. UTMB is the UT hospital the prison uses for it's prisoners medical care. Texas doesn't just open the cells and let them roam the streets.
Saw some helicopters north of Austin just moments ago.
I think here in the future you'll see govt. types hustling to show their competence as opposed to say the babosos of Lousianas governor and New Orleans mayor.
I am not an alarmist but somewhere..Texas is going to be in trouble from this storm.
I am accustomed to preparing at the last minute..jump in the tub during a tornado warning nearby, run to the grocery store before an ice storm is predicted and I know there will be power outages..but I am just N of Houston and have never been in a hurricane..This storm is big and gaining on us..
I was here during Alicia ..a tropical storm that hung around and dumped a year's precipitation in 5 days.
Pray for Texas.
The Texas response to an imminent threat will probably prove enlightening to those displaced New Orleaneans currently residing in other states but especially in Houston.
Yes, all y'all, THIS is how an effective government takes care of its citizens!
Be careful, parts of the Houston area does flood during huricanes and tornadoes and such. Get to the store and stock up on canned goods, a manual can opener, charcoal and lighter fluid or other fuel for outside grilling, sanitary hand washing liquid. Get all your pots and pans and containers and fill them with tap water and stock up on some store bought bottled water. If the electricity goes off, use the tap water first and bottled later. Fill the tubs and sinks. Turn your freezer and fridge to colder. Make note of foods in freezer and fridge and arrange them so you can grab them and get the door shut back quickly. Have an ice cream party the night before it hits! Cook up things that will last a few days without the need for a fridge such as cakes and cookies. Fry up breakfast foods or cook that frozen pizza or such things that can be eaten without the need to reheat.
Also, buy batteries, a battery operated radio with weather and police bands, flash lights, and candles and matches. Check your first aid kit and get any prescriptions filled.
Get your clothes ready to go if you have to make a run for it. Also, don't forget to grab your family pictures and momentoes that can't be replaced. And for goodness sakes, take the pets with you. This might be a good time to make sure all pets have their collars and tags on them and make sure you get them leashes and carrying cages. Put bags of food and a water bowl inside the cages so you don't forget it.
Download solar oven plans. Super easy and they work! Buy some foil and get a couple big boxes now so you'll have time to make one. Comes in handy and makes for a good kid's science project.
Gotta go. Good luck.
Who is this Rita, and why is the TNG bring her braces?
Who is this Rita, and why is the TNG bring her braces?
Times have changed but wouldn't it be wonderful to sic Geronimo or Cochise on the Pakistani frontier territories. I do believe that they were quite tough enough for the task.
As for the real purpose, while I agree that this is what probably should have been done to prepare for Katrina, the epic bad example is going to be a goad for all officialdom for some time to come.
Wonderful advice. Good luck, MEG33.
Prayers going up for Texas, and especially for you, Meg.
The animals are ready ..They were the first ones we thought of..
Good suggestions.. We have a place to go 3 hours north if necessary.
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