Airman views devastated hometown from air

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Nathan D. Broshear
  • 4th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
NEW ORLEANS (AFPN) --  Airmen with the 822nd Security Forces Squadron are used to deploying into war-ravaged regions and securing airfields -- that is their primary mission. But for one of the squadron’s Airmen, the 822nd’s current mission to provide security here in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has been particularly important.

New Orleans native Airman 1st Class Brandon Johnson flew in a Navy helicopter over his hometown Sept. 11 while providing security escort for news media aboard. The view was sobering.

“It’s terrible seeing (flooded) streets (where) I used to ride my bike,” said Airman Johnson, who is deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. “I’d seen photos and video on TV, but it’s not the same until you see it yourself.

“I never thought it was this extensive,” he said. “It’s everywhere … even after all this time there are still homes in areas I know well almost completely underwater.”

Before enlisting in the Air Force less than a year ago, Airman Johnson studied business at Southeastern University and worked as a barber in downtown New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina marks his first deployment, and one that has challenged him physically and emotionally.

“It’s tough to see people you know going through so much pain,” he said. “I saw a barber who used to cut my hair … in a shelter here. He’s lost everything.”

Some of Airman Johnson’s close family members have also been affected by the storm. He has learned that his mother, aunts, uncles, his father and even an ex-girlfriend had to leave the city after their homes were ravaged. Some of their homes had only wind damage; others were flooded to the point where they are uninhabitable.

“Most of my family has been evacuated to Houston,” Airman Johnson said. “Some are even thinking about staying.”

When the 822nd SFS arrived at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Aug. 31, the facility was deluged with thousands of citizens who had been airlifted on military helicopters or bused in after spending days stranded by the floodwaters.

The terminal was in chaos, but the 822nd SFS Airmen put their initial disbelief aside and worked quickly to restore order, Airman Johnson said.

“There were a lot of people in very, very bad shape,” he said. “The 822nd was the first security to arrive at the airport. Everyone has dug deep into their heart to help.”

Airman Johnson is not the only security forces Airman who has been personally touched by Hurricane Katrina. Several Airmen from the 822nd SFS have family in the region. Some even had to forgo leave to deploy to what later became affectionately called “Camp Gumbo.”

Maj. Don Robertson, 822nd SFS commander, echoed a sentiment carried by many in the unit.

“We’re used to being the ‘first in’ to many locations,” he said, “but no one expects something like this to happen so close to home. We’re privileged to be able to do something instead of simply watching it on TV.”

Putting personal heartbreak aside, the 822nd SFS Airmen, including Airman Johnson, have performed “superbly” in conditions that have been hard to describe to loved ones back home, Major Robertson said.

“That’s what professionals like these security forces do,” he said. “Professionals get the mission done.”