KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. (AFPN) --
Keesler is at the tip of the sword in the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities, Keesler's training mission was broadened to include humanitarian relief operations under the direction of the chapel staff.
The base began documenting relief operation efforts about three weeks after the Aug. 29 storm. As of Dec. 19, the data base reflects:
-- 291 total missions involving 10 or more people.
-- 122,736 packaged meals issued.
-- 187,660 pounds of food and clothing distributed.
-- 239,227 gallons of water passed out.
-- 20,256 man hours expended.
Those figures are probably a gross underestimation, said Tech. Sgt. Julie Sargent, noncommissioned officer in charge of Keesler's HUMRO office.
"We're reworking our database, but I suspect we've probably had three times the missions that we've been able to record," Sergeant Sargent said. "Our figures don't count groups of less than 10 people, the time spent coordinating efforts with other relief organizations and some of the volunteer work our people are doing with church and civic groups outside the Keesler umbrella. Some squadrons have been doing relief work on their own, but haven't reported their efforts to us.
"But it's not about the politics or who gets credit -- Keesler just wants to make sure that people who are suffering get the help they need," she said.
Many of Keesler's humanitarian projects are conducted to first-term Airmen who have just arrived for training. The 81st Training Group tags new arrivals with a week of hurricane recovery work -- half with the HUMRO office to work out in the community and half with the 81st Civil Engineer Squadron to assist with continuing debris removal and cleanup work around the base.
"These young Airmen are amazing. Their attitudes are wonderful and their energy and enthusiasm are inspiring," Sergeant Sargent said. "It makes them proud to be able to make a difference in our stricken communities as part of the Air Force."
But the community outreach efforts reach far beyond the student population.
"It's neat to see colonels getting their knuckles busted next to an airman basic," Sergeant Sargent said.
Team Keesler has been assisting state and federal agencies, charitable organizations, city and county governments, helping out where needed and networking to get things done.
"Our mission has shifted as recovery efforts have progressed," Sergeant Sargent said. "We try to make our people available wherever the need exists.
"We can't use Airmen to clean out houses -- because of mold and other hazards, they have to be volunteers, not 'volun-tolds'" she continued. "But there are a lot of other jobs they can do. They've tackled yard and big debris cleanup, helping out at distribution centers, city and church centers and schools -- unloading, cleaning, organizing, assembling furniture, whatever needs to be done."
The relief operations’ efforts range from small projects like assisting schools in reestablishing server connections to big jobs like debris removal and palletizing tons of relief supplies.
One of the base's first big projects was the cleanup of Hiller Park, which is edged by Keesler's Thrower Park and West Falcon Park military housing area.
"As debris was cleared, the pulse of life returned," Sergeant Sargent recalled. "Kids came out to play and families came out to barbecue. It was a great feeling."
Airmen here also undertook restoration projects to preserve two Jackson County historical sites -- the Old Spanish Fort in Pascagoula and The Old House in Gautier.
Some HUMRO efforts have focused on Katrina's four-legged survivors, helping with abandoned pets and taking supplies to area animal shelters.
Even though it's been nearly four months since Katrina hit and much has been accomplished in many areas, Sergeant Sargent is deeply concerned about the tremendous amount of work that remains to be done.
"It bothers me that so many people are in the same bad shape as they were right after Katrina," she said. "There are so many forgotten people living in tiny communities all along the coast who don't have the resources that larger cities have. There are people living in cars, gutted-out houses, attics, tents, in the woods -- we're trying to concentrate on those who need us the most. We also try to refer them to agencies that can help them."
Sergeant Sargent is encouraged by the positive attitudes of coast residents, many who have lost their homes and virtually all of their material possessions.
"The people of south Mississippi have such resilience and enthusiasm," she said. "You can see the despair melt off their faces when we come to help. I think I've passed out as many hugs as bags of ice.
"The men and women of Keesler rock my world," she said. "The chaplains got us organized, and we've had great leadership and support from active-duty members, civilians and family members alike. The concern and dedication they've shown has been phenomenal.
"I've never been prouder to wear this uniform -- we're going to plant the seeds of hope, and together we'll grow."