US Army's National Guard involvement in Hurricane Katrina's Relief Operation - Essay Example

US Army's National Guard involvement in Hurricane Katrina's relief operation ID: Word count:4030 words Introduction Hurricane Katrina hit America in the fall of August 2005. It is considered one of the costliest and deadliest hurricanes to have ever hit in the history of the United States (Knabb & Brown 23). Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast, destroying lives, leveling homes and leaving thousands of survivors with the same story Reports claimed that more than 1800 people lost their lives and $81 million dollars were the damages that were said to occur (US Department of Health and Human Services). The Katrina hit seven different states leading to different death-tolls in each state. These states were: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ohio. The most loss was incurred in Louisiana where more than 1500 were estimated dead. Federal disaster declarations covered 90,000square miles of the United States, an area considered to be almost as large as the United Kingdom. Tough the loss of lives was the most tragic event caused by the hurricane. It was worsened by what came as the aftermath of the storm. Loss of electricity was one of the biggest setbacks to the crisis. The impact was such that as a consequence, the hurricane left approximately three million individuals without electricity. In 2005, 3rd September, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff explained the consequences of Hurricane Katrina as "perhaps the worst disaster, or set of catastrophes," in the history of the country, stating this about the hurricane itself and the flooding of New Orleans (CNN). Thus, when help moved in they had to deal with an increasing number of problems. Not only did they have to collect the bodies of those who had died in the storm but they also needed to provide and support the survivors. Economically, the damages were enormous. So while the Bush administration worked to collect funds, hundreds of thousands of local residents were left unemployed. This led to a trickle-down effect as fewer taxes are paid to local governments. Prior to the hurricane, the region supported around one million non-farm jobs, with approximately six hundred thousand amongst them in New Orleans. This meant that the desperate victims began looting stores in search of food and water: essentials that were impossible to find (FOX 16). To prevent further chaos and to help bring the situation under control the government deployed thousands of National Guard and federal troops. Role of National Guard When Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the situation triggered the largest and fastest disaster response ever seen in the National Guard's 369 year history. At the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People event, Steven Blum (Head of the National Guard) spoke of how none of the men who went as part of the National Guard stopped to question how long they would be caught in the disaster area or whether they would be paid for their efforts. He commended them by saying how this was the reason why the National Guard was the finest organization of the nation and he was proud to be part of it (National Guard). When Hurricane Katrina struck, the National Guard was amongst the first men who landed in the area within the first four hours. The troops were on the streets, in the water and in the air. Each one attempting to save as many lives as he possibly could. Thus, 58,000 troops were deployed into the disaster hit area. The following are instances where the National Guard took over various different regions and helped provide assistance almost immediately after the disaster had struck. In most places, the strong winds and thundering rain had not even stopped and the Guards had already moved in to help the victims. The US Department of Defense immediately posted a news article on the 29 of August 2005 to show the work that was being carried out by the National Guard in their efforts to keep the area safe. The work done almost immediately after the Hurricane hit the region was amply explained. It began with thousands of National Guard troops from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama rushing to duty as Hurricane Katrina hammered New Orleans, Gulfport, Miss., and other points on the Gulf Coast with 145-mph winds and torrential rains. Thus, despite the on-going raging storm, the troops continued to enter the states and assist in the relief effort. The most quick efforts were seen on the part of the Louisiana National Guard who called almost 3,500 of its members to state active duty as early as 7 a.m. to support in missions that ranged from assisting law enforcement agencies mainly with the traffic control and security; transporting and distributing food, water and ice, conducting searches and rescues; providing generator support; and carrying out all kinds of missions that would assist in protecting life and property. Along with this the same Louisiana Guardsmen were also assisting in conducting the set-up of the emergency shelter set-up at the New Orleans Superdome. Their job included not only helping set-up this shelter but also providing it security and screening every individual who entered the building. This was a very tasking job as a reported 9,000 to 10,000 local residents entered these shelters by heeding the city's mandatory evacuation order that had been issued earlier in the day. Creating shelters in the Superdome was a difficult job in itself because the structure's protective inner lining was torn by the winds. The National Guard had to ensure the building was safe and did so by checking and assuring the roof was intact. This phenomenal number of troops was gathered not from one state alone. Every state in the union and every federation contributed to the effort. It seemed like the National Guard from all over America had united to put up a strong front in this disastrous situation that had struck the homeland. It was a brilliant show of unity and patriotism as all the states joined to help under the one name: National Guard. The Florida National Guard shipped 100 cots to their counterparts in Louisiana to add to the supply they already had. As Mississippi was also one of the worst hit-areas, it was decided that 900 Air and Army troops of the National Guard would be sent to their assistance, along with another 600 who would join them soon. This effort is increasingly important because most of what was being done was in the first few days of the crisis. Colin Powell, had asked the National Guards to conduct a huge-scale mission that would involve not only removing obstructions from the main thoroughfares to allow quick movement of relief goods but also to help distribute basic essentials to the victims. He said that they were doing "whatever we can to help the citizens of Mississippi." (Miles) Help also came from the Arkansas National Guard. Official reports from the US Department of Defense stated that the troops were preparing to open an armory in Monticello with 100 cots and blankets for people seeking shelter from Hurricane Katrina. The Guard had sent 100 more cots and blankets to the Lake Village, that was to be set up in a local high school. This effort is further lauded because before the destruction caused by the Hurricane and the damage it had caused had even set into the minds of the ordinary public, the Arkansas National Guard was immediately at duty. None had been told of an alert status and yet 9000 land and air Guards had arrived, ready to help if the need arose. The worse aspect of the crisis hit when the storm had left the region. Desperate victims of the disaster had no choice but to seek food and refuge by breaking and looting the surviving shops. However, some took advantage of this crisis to loot for non-essentials. Shops were ravaged and gun shots could be heard throughout the New Orleans region. The government took immediate action by asking the National Guard to step in." They have M16s and are locked and loaded. These troops have the knowledge to shoot and kill and I expect they will," Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco said. A Congressman Bill Jefferson said ""There was shooting going on alongside sniping. During the first week of the month of September, law and order were slowly and gradually restored to the city" (Tapper). The National Guard was brought into the community to prevent any form of looting that was to or might occur. The looting that occurred was in fact a direct consequence of lack of immediate relief from the government itself (Tierney & Kuligwoski 61). Though the National Guard and other agencies tried their best to be part of the relief effort, much of their work was undermined by prevailing circumstances. As the looting began, the National Guard had to divert their attention from providing for those in need and shift it to controlling the miscreants who were running afoot and wrecking havoc in the disaster-stricken vicinity. The government ensured that a number of arrests were made throughout the affected area which also included some near the New Orleans Convention Center. To ensure the rioters did not roam the streets again a temporary jail was constructed of chain link cages in the city train station. For instance, Nevada Army National Guardsmen were asked to work a security check point outside the New Orleans, La., civic center. It was here that an aid station and evacuation point has been established on the Sept. 8, 2005. The military was performing various functions in New Orleans to assist with the cleanup efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. As mentioned previously help seeped in from all quarters of the National Guard. An example of this was SPC Ludivina Aguilar of Henderson NC, assigned to the 113th QRF, (Quick Response Force) who helped provide additional security at a Walmart in Hammond, LA. The soldiers from the region of North Carolina National Guards 113th QRF have been kept in support of Hurricane Katrina. While Guardsmen were helping protect and help the victims in need, there were various other tasks that have been very underrepresented and unappreciated. For instance, on the 29 of August at the Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi was setting up its own means to help more destruction from being caused by the storm. The Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron was responsible and given the job to track Katrina, in Miami, for the National Hurricane Center. Along with this crews were launching aircraft at regular intervals for missions that would typically last from eight to 12 hours, during which they would collect a full range of weather measurements. Individuals have been greatly undermined in their efforts at the disaster stricken areas. Despite the National Guard being one strong and united body, it is but vital to appreciate the single Guards who put their life at risk for the survival and protection for millions. Thus there were efforts made by the National Guard to help their fellow civilians in need which have not gone without their fair share of appreciation. An online website shows pictures of the efforts made by specific National Guard men to patrol and create and a safe environment for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. (ARMY.MIL) Amongst these were a few that were found to be especially interesting. Ohio Army National Guard's soldiers, 1st of the 148th Infantry Regiment knocked down doors, cut holes in ceilings and broke through windows in an attempt to save the trapped survivors of Hurricane Katrina. A Spc. Frank Ranalli climbed down into a bathroom after breaking through a ceiling in this Northeastern New Orleans neighborhood. Another picture shows an unidentified Army Guardsman from B Company, 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry, Boston, Massachusetts. He processes through a mobile decontamination station near a levee in New Orleans, Louisiana after assisting with search and rescue missions. The major levee breaches in the city included breaches at the 17th Street Canal levee, the London Avenue Canal, and the wide, navigable Industrial Canal, which left approximately 80% of the city flooded (Murphy). The units of Army and Air National Guard from all across the nation were employed to New Orleans for providing the support in the repercussion of Hurricane Katrina. Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency were also responsible for riding in a 5-ton truck performing block-to-block searches on September the 7, 2005. This was done during the military and federal agencies that were performing house-to-house searches and rescuing New Orleans residents stranded in their homes due to flood waters caused by Hurricane Katrina. In addition, members of the US Army National Guard and US Air National Guard provided control over the crowd and assistance in the distribution of meals, ready to eat and water to residents of New Orleans, La., on Sept. 5, 2005. The military was providing a humanitarian role in distribution of life-sustaining supplies to areas of New Orleans to a region devastated by Hurricane Katrina This assistance included the use of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. For instance, one of these was used and flown from the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, to help maneuver and arrive for a rescue mission in downtown New Orleans, La., on Sept, 4, 2005. Over 300 Department of Defense helicopters are being utilized for humanitarian; serving the purpose of searching and recovering missions in support of Hurricane Katrina relief operations. Other than this, US Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flight engineers were also used to unload food and water at the Louisiana Super Dome in New Orleans on Sept. 3, 2005. As mentioned earlier, the Super Dome was being used as a central staging and relocation center for thousands of displaced New Orleans residents affected by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. These also included other sorts of helicopter crafts. For instance, an HS 60 helicopter from the Army National Guard searches above a local New Orleans neighborhood for stranded people after Hurricane Katrina ravished the city, Sept. 4, 2005. The Army National Guard were kind of 'activated' to assist and contribute in the Joint Task Force - Katrina, a humanitarian help operation in a combine effort, which was headed by the Department of Defense in collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) The National Guard also assisted in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina to reach other safer regions of travel. These victims were airlifted into New Orleans International Airport via US military transport on Sept. 2. Search and rescue crews were responsible for bringing in wave after wave of evacuees. Emergency medical crews were placed on hand to provide care to those with special needs. Thus, the National Guard not only succeeded in fulfilling its duties as a rescuer but also maintained its humanitarian aspect by remembering the disabled or any sort of comfort that could be provided to those in need. The efforts of the National Guard were incredible to most people who still have no idea how large the numbers of the forces were. The National Guard sought to maintain its duty of protecting, saving and ensuring the comfort of fellow civilians. Alternative help There were three different types of responses to the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina: governmental response, non-governmental response and International response. The governmental response according to the National Response Plan first falls on the local government. When the local government ran out of resources it had to inform the county. And the chain continued until it reached the federal government. Hurricane Katrina forced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to set itself to the task of helping the regions immediately. This was done in various forms from sending in troops to refrigerated trucks. The government bodies that helped in the crisis were: The Coastal Guard, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air force. Apart from the man-power there was always housing assistance. The most effective means of donations were sent in by the non-governmental organizations. Without any personal gain, the American Red Cross, Southern Baptist Convention, Salvation Army, Oxfam, Common Ground Collective, Emergency Communities, Habitat for Humanity and various Catholic Charities emerged themselves into helping all those in need. Many of these organizations were not allowed into New Orleans proper by the National Guard for several days after the storm because of safety concerns. These organizations raised US$4.25billion in donations by the public, with the Red Cross receiving over half of the donations (Charity Navigator). On September 13, 2005, it was reported that corporate donations to the relief effort were $409million, and were expected to exceed $1billion (CNN). The international response was phenomenal despite America's strong economic stance. More than seventy countries pledged monetary and other types of assistance to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. These countries included: United Kingdom, Canada, United Arab Emirates, China and India. It also included smaller nations like Pakistan and South Korea who were ready to donate the most they could to help with the crisis. What turned into a remarkable show of humanity helped poured in from everywhere. Even countries namely Cuba and Venezuela who have always been hostile to the US government were amongst the first countries that provided immediate assistance. More than one million dollars was poured in by these countries in the form of medical assistance, water treatment plans, canned food and bottled water. However this aid was rejected by the government (People's Weekly World). However, the criticisms of the government's response to Hurricane Katrina primarily consisted of condemnations of mismanagement and lack of leadership in the relief efforts in response to the storm and its aftermath. More specifically, the criticism focused on the delayed response to the flooding of New Orleans, and the subsequent state of chaos in the Crescent City (Thevenot & Russel). With aid pouring in from all sides, forces like the National Guard were given the heavy responsibility of distributing the aid to the needy victims. Criticism The efforts of the National Guard have been appreciated by many but there were also factions who saw the setbacks and flaws in the operation. Much of this criticism was over the government's response to Hurricane Katrina. The criticism focused on what primarily consisted of condemnations of mismanagement and lack of leadership in the relief efforts in response to the storm and its aftermath. More specifically, the criticism focused on the delayed response to the flooding of New Orleans, and the subsequent state of chaos in the Crescent City (Thevenot & Russel) Days after August 29 2005, there was wide fuelling criticism and debate over the government's duty in this crisis. No organization seemed prepared for a catastrophe of this nature and instead of improvising their tactics; many sluggishly ran slow rescue efforts. Proof of this was evident in the images being released by the media which showed frustrated politicians of the local areas who were not being provided enough relief to support their areas. These images also included local residents who were stranded in the flooded areas without food and water In fact, more anger ravaged the country when ABC News revealed a piece stating how amid the chaos and confusion that engulfed New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck, a congressman used National Guard troops to check on his property and rescue his personal belongings. This occurred even while New Orleans residents were trying to get rescued from rooftops. The congressman checked his house while valuable time was spent by the guards waiting outside on the porch. The situation worsened when the truck the congressman came in got stuck in the water and a helicopter had to be called to rescue the stranded. The National Guard supported their position claiming the helicopter had been rejected by the congressman. A second truck was sent in to rescue the congressman and his belongings. The National Guard refused to comment claiming they were following orders and had no right to question the actions of the Congressman (Tapper) The storm had singly killed more than one thousand people but what began to happen now was the lack of essentials for the remaining victims. Locals were dying of thirst and dehydration as the government was unable to provide quick relief to the survivors. Many felt the problem to be one caused by race and class. The areas that had been worse struck fell in the lower income group and mostly housed black families. In a concert held to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina, a performer Kanye West deviated from the speech and said "So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help - with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is trying everything that is in its power within the constraints of the resources it has. We already came to know that a number of individuals who could assist are at war right now, fighting another way - and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!"(NBC). This was said in reference to the shooting orders given to the National Guard for anyone who was seen looting or creating havoc. The devastation created by Hurricane Katrina raised other, more general public policy issues about emergency management; i.e. environmental policy, unemployment and poverty. The arguments of both the immediate response and of the broader public policy issues may have affected elections and legislation enacted at various levels of government. The storm's destruction also raised a Congressional investigation, which came across the facts that the FEMA and the Red Cross had no logistics ability sophisticated enough to fully assist the great number of Gulf coast victims. To show the fall in public opinion of the government because of its inefficiency in the management of the disaster, ABC conducted a poll asking its audience who they felt was the reason why the crisis was not managed properly and led to such catastrophic consequences. While 75% local governments, Bush's administration won 44% of the country's votes for failing as a leader placed in a disaster management position (Langer). Conclusion The National Guard played a tremendous role in a number of valuable tasks that were needed in the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina. Millions of lives were lost and the entire set-up of the great American state seemed to be at the verge of collapse. By providing immediate assistance in areas where it was needed, the National Guard maintained its position of duty and responsibility to protect the American homeland, no matter how threatening the situation might be. Men and women risked their lives to help those in need: a task that can be committed only by the man most loyal to his oath of integrity and promise. Even in the moments when the situation seemed impossible and danger loomed at every corner, the National Guard ensured it stayed true to its promises to protect. Hurricane Katrina wrought disaster everywhere it went but America was lucky to have troops as loyal as the National Guard to help control and curb the situation. When the threat of natural disaster was removed and replaced by man-made threats of looting in the disaster-stricken areas, the National Guard seemed to hold no hesitation in preventing this desperation to go out of control and break into a greater problem with far more impact. The media's role in the National Guard's assistance cannot be ignored. It helped in the dramatic rise in the role of Internet sites - especially blogging and community journalism. Volunteers and locals rushed into the help the National Guard find the worst hit areas and assist the victims in need. Through the use of NOLA: the guards could monitor the areas where the situation was most chaotic and provide any sort of help that was needed, immediately. Thus, in an act of sensibility, it was not just common man-power that was used by the National Guard but also any form of technology that was available. Despite the fact that much of this disaster stricken area was helped by various charitable organizations: local and foreign. The part a local National Guard can play is far greater than one played by any foreigner. Knowing the land better and associating with the people better is an act that can only be played out by a member of their own community. Thus, the National Guard was considered to be in its finest hour during Hurricane Katrina. Assistance poured in by the hundredfold as members of the National Guard rushed into the disaster-stricken areas and assisted their brethren in need. References ARMY.MIL, Hurricane Relief, viewed June 14 2009 http://www.army.mil/Katrina/imagery.html "Where Did The Money Go". Hurricane Katrina: One Year Later (2006), Charity Navigator. Corporate Katrina gifts could top $1B, September 13 2005, CNN CNN, The Aftermath of Katrina, viewed June 12 2009, http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/03/cst.04.html FOX 16, Photos: Story in pictures- Hurricane Katrina, viewed June 12 2009, http://www.fox16.com/login.aspxReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fcommunity.fox16.com%2fphotos%2fstory_in_pictures--_hurricane_katrina%2fpicture807981.aspx From abroad, offers of aid for Katrina victims, September 10 2005, People's Weekly World Knabb & Brown August 2005, Tropical Cyclone Report, 23-30, viewed June 12 2009 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL122005_Katrina.pdf Langer, Gary. September 12 2005, Poll: Bush Not Taking Brunt of Katrina Criticism ABC News Miles. D, August 29 2005 , National Guard Responds to Hurricane Katrina, US Department of Defense Murphy.V, October 04 2005, Fixing New Orleans' thin grey line, BBC News. National Guard, Hurricane Katrina: National Guard's finest hour, viewed June 12 2009, http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/archives/2006/08/082806-Finest_Hour.aspx Kanye West September 02 2005, A Concert for Hurricane Relief, NBC. Tapper, Jake, September 13 2005. Amid Katrina Chaos, Congressman Used National Guard to Visit Home. ABC News. Tierney. K & Kuligowski.E, Metaphors Matter: Disaster Myths, Media Frames, and their consequences in Hurricane Katrina, Shelter from the Storm, SAGE publications INC. Thevenot, Brian; Russell, Gordon. September 26 2005 Reports of anarchy at Superdome overstated Seattle Times. US Department of Health and Human Services, Hurricane Katrina, viewed June 12 2009 http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/naturaldisasters/hurricanes/katrina/index.html Read More