NORTHCOM/AFNORTH earn national search and rescue award

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jerry Harlan
  • AFNORTH Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --  Air Forces Northern, on behalf of United States Northern Command, was presented the National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue's Eagle award Feb. 10. 

The Eagle award is a traveling trophy presented annually by the NIUSR to the person or organization that exhibits extreme courage in disastrous circumstances when the rescuers' life was at extreme risk.

NORTHCOM was nominated for the award for its multi-agency coordination of helicopter air support to local and state governments that rescued 400 Galveston, Texas, citizens during Hurricane Ike in September of 2008. 

"This joint operation is the example of how the Department of Defense can mobilize to support states during catastrophic disasters, exemplifying the spirit and intent of the National Response Framework," said Ed Brickley, Search and Rescue coordinator for the Texas Engineering Extension Service and person who nominated NORTHCOM for the award. "Their support to the State of Texas as Hurricane Ike made landfall and immediately following this devastating disaster directly resulted in hundreds of lives being saved. The unwavering dedication, professionalism and bravery of the rescue personnel involved cannot be overstated."

Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, AFNORTH commander, accepted the award at the NIUSR "SMART POWER-The Front Line" conference in San Diego.

"I am very honored to accept this award on behalf of the men and women of AFNORTH and U.S. NORTHCOM," said General Morrow. "AFNORTH provided NORTHCOM with the personnel and resources they needed, at exactly the right time, and together we saved lives and minimized suffering." 

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