operations. Te Sikorsky-made MH-60 Jayhawk, also ideal for search-and-re-
covery missions, is closer in design to the US Navy’s MH-60R or MH-60S Seahawk. With a similar crew complement, the Jayhawk is powered by a pair of GE T700-401C turboshaft engines that push the all-weather, medium-range helicopter to a maximum speed of 180 knots but with a range nearly double that of the Dolphin. Katrina was an all-hands
operation; military response to the disaster brought a wave of aviation assets from all services across the country. Te Department of Defense had over 350 helicopters and more than 70 fixed-wing aircraft involved in relief efforts. National Guard heli- copter crews in UH-1 Hueys were hoisting one or two survivors up at a time. Te US Army’s III Corps and two US Air Force rescue wings also brought in at least 30 helicopters with crews. Te civil industry also stepped up, eager to put the unique abilities
from around the country. You can read about the Eurocopter team’s experiences on p. 32. Working for Bell Helicopter at the time, Randy Rowles, now president
Of the 60,000 survivors stranded in New Orleans, the USCG rescued more than 33,500—a figure close to the total active-duty population of the service at that time.
of the Helicopter Institute and vice chair of the HAI Board of Directors, was part of a crew the OEM dispatched for Katrina relief. “Having grown up in south Florida, I was quite familiar with hurricanes—at least, that was my thought,” Rowles says. “But, once we arrived in New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Katrina’s departure, I was amazed at the scope of dam- age and devastation.
“We were dispatched at the end of our workday and sent to Lafayette
[Louisiana] for staging into New Orleans. We flew four flights into New Orleans that first night, since we were equipped with night-vision goggles. Initial air traffic control was provided by an overwatch gov- ernment aircraft, call sign Omaha 44 and then Omaha 45. “Te following days were more organized, with our Bell 407 desig-
of their aircraft into service. Some were summoned as part of the government disaster response, and others volunteered aircraft, pilots, and ground crews to help the beleaguered city. Bell, Sikorsky, and Eurocopter (now Airbus) all sent aircraft and crews, joined by operators
nated MED16,” Rowles says. “People were moved from I-10 and the Intracoastal Highway interchange to the New Orleans International Airport [KMSY]. At one point, three lines of helicopters were waiting
KATRINA REMEMBERED continues on p. 34
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2020 Q4 ROTOR 31
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