Air Force officials support oil containment efforts

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Susan A. Romano
  • Air Forces Northern Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  At the request of U.S. Northern Command officials, and to assist the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to contain the oil spill in the western Gulf of Mexico, Air Forces Northern officials are providing units to help disperse the spill and mitigate its impact as it makes its way toward the shoreline.

Under the command of the Joint Forces Air Component here, the commander of the 910th Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit based in Youngstown, Ohio, has deployed two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and aircrews to Stennis International Airport, Miss.  The aircraft are equipped with the Modular Aerial Spray System to assist with containment efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.

The C-130's unique aerial capabilities allow the aircrew to fly at an air speed of 230 mph about 100 feet above the water, while dispersing a detergent-like agent to help break down the petroleum-based slick. The crew is able to cover an area of between 225 and 250 acres per flight.

In addition to the MASS flights, the Air Force auxiliary Civil Air Patrol is supporting the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Operating Cessna C-182s, CAP crews are providing digital images of the affected Gulf of Mexico coastline and waterways.

An Air Component Coordination Element has been deployed to Houma, La., where specialists will serve as Air Force subject matter experts to help coordinate the movement of Air Force assets into the region and to reach back to the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here if additional Air Force support is necessary.

Air Forces Northern officials also are providing emergency preparedness liaison officers to support the federal on-scene coordinator to assist civil authorities with available military assets, including logistics, medical, security forces and public affairs.

AFNORTH's Defense Support of Civil Authorities mission is to provide support to local, state, regional and federal emergency services agencies. The organization is capable of providing a variety of logistical, medical, aerial and search and rescue assets if the need arises.