Some DOD responses (via Brendan Loy's blog)
USNORTHCOM (U.S. Northern Command) has established Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. as a federal operational staging area to expedite the movement of relief supplies and emergency personnel to affected areas.
Also, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), an amphibious assault ship, is on standby to provide assistance. It's carrying three MH-53E Sea Dragon Helos, each capable of carrying 55 passengers and 16 tons of cargo over 50 NM. (ref.)
No word on whether a carrier will be redirected to the area yet -- a la the tsunami -- although I have heard unsubstantiated rumors to that effect. However, the LHD class (which includes the Bataan, and the Kearsarge that was recently fired at in Jordan) is essentially a small aircraft carrier in itself. Hopefully this is just the beginning of major relief efforts.
Check this out, Arizona:
USNORTHCOM (U.S. Northern Command) has established Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. as a federal operational staging area to expedite the movement of relief supplies and emergency personnel to affected areas.
Also, the USS Bataan (LHD-5), an amphibious assault ship, is on standby to provide assistance. It's carrying three MH-53E Sea Dragon Helos, each capable of carrying 55 passengers and 16 tons of cargo over 50 NM. (ref.)
No word on whether a carrier will be redirected to the area yet -- a la the tsunami -- although I have heard unsubstantiated rumors to that effect. However, the LHD class (which includes the Bataan, and the Kearsarge that was recently fired at in Jordan) is essentially a small aircraft carrier in itself. Hopefully this is just the beginning of major relief efforts
Makes sense. It wouldn't make sense to bring in logistics and relief efforts by air right in the middle of the storm. A year from now, these people affected are still going to be picking up the pieces.