DISCUSSION: Initially aviation assets searched for population concentrations that had been cut off because of nontrafficable road networks. Aviation, acting independently, delivered food and water to remote areas. Due to the nature of the emergency and the immediacy required to distribute life sustaining supplies, aircraft were allocated on a demand basis.
LESSON(S): In future disaster relief operations, aviation would be more effective if it executed a zone reconnaissance to identify areas needing help, then pass the information to the Command Emergency Operation Center.
TOPIC: Safety.
DISCUSSION: Pilots acted on their own professional discretion in regards to landing areas for their aircraft. If multiple missions were to be flown to the same location, the same landing zone (LZ) was used. There was no means to secure the LZs for use by aviation assets. A LZ used during the morning hours could have been rendered unaccessible by the afternoon if any vehicles parked in the area.
LESSON(S): Ground commanders need to secure the LZ early and then maintain the LZs throughout the operation. There is also a safety consideration because aircraft landing with food and water attracts civilians. Frequently, civilians would approach the aircraft while the rotor blades were still in motion.
TOPIC: Aviation Dedicated Phone Line.
DISCUSSION: A disaster, such as Hurricane Andrew, inhibits vehicle travel until road networks can be cleared. This increases the demand for aviation assets. A dedicated phone line for aviation eases the burden on the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) section and expedites the process.
LESSON(S):A dedicated phone line allows direct access to the headquarters for support by various agencies. This eliminates the need for the operations section of the EOC to answer phone calls and receive missions for aviation.
TOPIC: Signal Operating Instructions (SOIs).
DISCUSSION: An SOI should have been developed for Operation Hurricane Andrew. With the multiple number of units that operated within the task force, and the variance involved in task force integrity, communications were extremely important.
LESSON(S): An SOI must be developed that provides call signs and frequencies for various aviation assets.
TOPIC: Aviation Staff Office.
DISCUSSION: Upon notification of the requirement for and Aviation Staff Office, a situation assessment must be conducted.The assessment ensures that an appropriate size office is applied. The questions listed below and on page IV-5 should be directed to the MACOM staff prior to deployment.
LESSON(S):
- How
many rotary-wing units or aircraft are deploying by component (U.S. Army, Navy,
Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves)?
- Will
appropriate component liaison elements be assigned to the Aviation staff? (If
not, expect to provide an internal staff member to coordinate liaison requirements).
- Is
the FAA functioning in the area of operation and to what degree?
- Has
the Department of the Army Regional Representative (DARR) contacted the FAA
to establish a restricted area over the disaster site?
- Has
the DAAR been assigned as a J3 Aviation Staff Officer?
- Will
the ARFOR element deploy a A2C2 cell? If not, ensure J3 Aviation staff has
personnel, computer equipment and expertise to provide airspace planning and
aviation procedures guides.
- Have
appropriate requests been initiated by the MACOM to ensure authorization to
fly non-DOD relief workers on ARFOR, AFFOR, NAVFOR and MARFOR aircraft?
- What
is the status of the ground LOCs? Can supplies be moved by ground transportation?
Does the task force include sufficient CH-46, CH-47 aircraft?
- Have
ground units been tasked to deploy with air items (sling sets, cargo nets,
helicopter landing zone markers)?
- Have 1:24,000 DMA mapping products been requested?
TOPIC: Aviation Disaster Assistance Functions.
DISCUSSION: Upon arrival in the disaster area, certain functions must be immediately coordinated. The following list provides many of the areas for consideration:
LESSON(S):
- Has
the FAA authorized external cargo operations? If so, over what routes? If not,
what information does the FAA need to authorize such routes?
- What
are the locations, phone numbers, frequencies, and assigned aircraft of all
the rotary-wing units (both JTF and non-JTF units)? Contact should be made
immediately.
- Contact
the FAA to establish a location and DTG for airspace management meetings. Notify
all major flying units to include A2C2 elements, ATC elements and DARR.
- Disseminate
all reporting formats and times to all subordinate headquarters.
- Establish
a rapid dissemination and tracking system.
- Task
ARFOR to locate, clear, mark and submit a list and sketch of all helicopter
landing zones.
- Who
is providing MEDEVAC services? MEDEVAC service frequencies and procedures must
be disseminated.
- What
is the priority of effort for specific airfields in the AOR?
- Where
are the supply depots being located? Ground units must verify the established
LZs.
- Establish
U.S. Army fixed-wing courier and executive flight detachment operations.
- Have
dedicated FAX machines, computers and cellular phones been assigned or requested
for assignment to the J3 Aviation staff? Phone and fax numbers must be disseminated
to all units.
Table
of Contents
Aviation
Support, Part 1
Communications
and Automation|
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