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AVIATION SUPPORT

INTRODUCTION: As early as 24 August 1992, under the direction of the state government, Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel, and the Defense Coordinating Officer, aviation units assigned to the state of Florida were mission-tasked to provide immediate humanitarian relief support. The units consisted of approximately 50 rotary-wing aircraft. The JTF Andrew J3 Aviation section began operations on 29 August with the assignment of an officer from the Aviation Readiness Group, Second U.S. Army, located at Fort Gillem, Georgia. Augmentation of both equipment and personnel was ongoing. The requirement for aviation support during the initial days of the operation was enormous. At its zenith, there were approximately 170 rotary-wing aircraft operating in the disaster relief area. This figure does not include rotary-wing aircraft associated with U.S. Customs, local law enforcement agencies, news media and insurance organizations. The vast number of aircraft was required due to the impassable road network. Roads were cluttered with fallen trees, wires and other debris (engineer estimates indicate that 42 million cubic yards of debris were scattered throughout the disaster area). Aviation mission support was geared to provide urgently needed life-sustaining supplies to disaster victims throughout the 400-square-mile disaster area. Between 8 and 10 September, the road networks were cleared, and a ground transportation system for resupply was established. The need for medium cargo lift capability decreased.

TOPIC: Airspace Management.

DISCUSSION: All airspace users agreed that an Aviation Procedures Guide (APG) was needed to assist in airspace management. The responsibility for developing this procedure guide was given to the XVIII Airborne Corps A2C2 cell. Although the Corps A2C2 cell developed the procedures guide, this is a task that should be required of the JTF.

LESSON(S): In future disaster relief operations, a joint airspace management cell needs to be formed.

TOPIC: JTF Aviation Liaison Cell.

DISCUSSION: When one of the aviation task forces arrived in the area of operations (AO), it had to assess the situation and determine its own mission by flying supplies out of the civilian relief organization hanger at Opalocka. Much needed supplies remained at the West Palm Beach fairgrounds during the initial 36 hours of the operation due to lack of a higher aviation command and control element to advise the task force of the distribution center.

LESSON(S): There must be a JTF level aviation liaison cell on the ground within the first 24 hours after a disaster occurs. This would assist in the allocation of aviation assets once they begin to arrive in the AO.

TOPIC: VIP Flight Mission.

DISCUSSION: Three days into the operation, an Executive Flight Detachment (EFD) was formed consisting of one UH-60 (Blackhawk) and five UH-1H (Hueys). These aircraft were dedicated to support the JTF command group and staff. The 18th Aviation Brigade was continually tasked for VIP missions which exceeded the unit's capability. Each aircraft tasked above those dedicated for VIP flights degraded the Brigade's primary mission of providing disaster relief throughout the AO.

LESSON(S): FORSCOM should consider the early deployment of aviation units equipped with special equipment for VIP flight missions.

TOPIC: Civilian Transport on Military Aircraft.

DISCUSSION: JTF guidance on flying civilians must be given at the very beginning of the operation. FORSCOM delegated the authority to fly non-DOD civilians to the first officer in the chain of command on 5 September 1992. The first week of September was the most critical time to have key civilians in the air to assist with their assessments. Guidance should be outlined in the execution order.

LESSON(S): Chapter 3, AR 95-3, Aviation General Provisions Training, Standardization, and Resource Management, covers eligibility requirements for Army Aircraft. AR 95-3 will apply unless other guidance is received. If complications or questions arose in the AO, timeliness may have been the underlying problem.

TOPIC: Lift Capability.

DISCUSSION: Large metropolitan areas experienced traffic grid-lock or were otherwise inaccessible due to debris.

LESSON(S): Rotary-wing medium lift capability should be included in the initial response. Medium lift capability can deliver food, water, fuel and personnel into the affected areas in large quantities with a short turn-around.

TOPIC: Airspace Command and Control.

DISCUSSION: The requirement for an airspace management plan was recognized early in the deployment. However, development of the plan was difficult and not timely.

LESSON(S): The Department of the Army Regional Representative (DARR) must coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for JTF use of airspace. The DARR must also actively participate in the development of the plan.

Table of Contents
Logistics, Part 2
Aviation Support, Part 2