SEPTEMBER 2005 ~ PUBLISHED BY GSDF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE ~
GSDF Support Group
SPECIAL
members honored in
GSDF in EDITION:counterKatrina
GSDF Mobilized to Medevac Katrina Evacuees authorities, CountyGroup is one step closer to having By Jerry Nosin, Monroe GSDF Headquarters a well thought-out plan for dealing with such disasters.
WWW.GASDF.COM
Mission
This Special Edition of Heads Up! is the victims of Hurricane Katrina and their families.
By Garry Moon, HDQ PAO dedicated to
Photo credits: WO2 Arnie Katz, PFC Pamela M. Conley, Officer Candidate Garry Moon
Theand Georgia Defense Force not ball H manyState other volunteers, as only wellcaught as thethemedia but “scored a touchdown” according to Major General and role players. David Poythress, Adjutant General talking about the recent
GSDF effort toexercise in process 1205 passengers New The four-hour consisted of “victims”from reporting GSDFfacility staff worked tirelessly for 5 days toOrleans. a medical and being diagnosed forresponding treatment the need to medevac evacuees. GSDF Medical Staff set ortofurther evaluation. up triage, in-processed arrivals, provided security, and
offloaded military aircraft in record timesJarred during the crisis. Monroe Co. Sheriff’s Deputy Duncan They became an immediate reaction force. said, “It is outstanding that all the groups and Two years worked ago, GSDF troops were trained medevac agencies well together. Wetodon’t see soldiers from military aircraft. That mission was generated that very much. Bio-Terrorism is and role by the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and Pam
players. Blackwell, Director of Emergency Preparedness for Cobb Co. four-hour They approached Command Surgeon John The exercise GSDF consisted of “victims” reporting Harvey and, with the assistance of the Georgia Emergency to a medical facility and being diagnosed for treatment Management Agency (GEMA), the GSDF was integrated orinto further evaluation. the state operational response plan. That planning
GSDF Capt. Clark Howard and GSDF EMT Derrick Eckroat board a Delta Air Lines jet to go to New Orleans where they will triage and help calm evacuees. Delta generously donated six aircraft to transport evacuees from the disaster zone.
paid off in way after Katrina struck.Duncan said, “It is Monroe Co.a big Sheriff’s Deputy Jarred outstanding all Doctors, the groups and State Defensethat Force EMTs, andagencies troopers worked put in well We don’t realworking life and15-20 smallhours towns sometogether. 8000 man-hours, many forneed the deployment. They downloaded some 18 aircraft tofive-day prepare.” including C17s, C130s, C141s, Navy C-9s, and Delta 757s
GSDF’s State Command Sergeant Major toBardoul also as well as some smaller aircraft. According Lt. Colonel praised the exercise, saying drill to learn Martie Soper of Hdq. 22nd Airthe Force at “helps DobbinsusARB, and inMsgt. a controlled environment.” Martha Mock of the 94th Aeromedical Evacuation group, the GSDF turned around aircraft if “record time”.
The coordinator of the exercise, Mrs. Janet Freeman, “Offloading 68 liter 23 ambulatory patients from CMonroe Co. EMAandDirector, commented on a the 141 in 43 minutes extraordinary”, saiddisplayed Lt. Col. Soper. professionalism andis military decorum by the “You guys did this consistently in record time”. GSDF troopers. She referred to the GSDF as their “partners in community service”, praising it as an Captain Clark Howard, the Consumer Advocate and GSDF soldier, worked tirelessly during the as well, moving organization that will always beweek there to help the litters and offloading the passengers from New Orleans, citizens of Georgia. many of whom had not eaten in many days.
The 5BDE, known as “The Ravens”, is under the “This is why joined theLockert. State Defense Force”, said Capt. command of ICOL Dick Howard. “People dug in and met the needs, nobody was standing around, and every performed well.”
GSDF troopers prepare for litter-bearing work as another one of the many military transports from New Orleans arrives at Dobbins ARB. GSDF offloaded some 1205 people during the weekend.
BACK PAGE: More mission photos; 5th Brigade helps ready the Guard