CAMP MABRY, Austin, Texas - In less than 24 hours and well in advance of Gustav's estimated landfall, 247 patients were evacuated from Beaumont and safely delivered to medical personnel at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio on Aug. 30.
Personnel from the 136th Airlift Wing of the Texas Air National Guard, as well as Guardsmen from Delaware, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Tennessee, demonstrated that the intensive training they received only weeks ago prepared them for the unfortunate reality of having to move real people, suffering from real illnesses and frailties.
Other logistical and liaison support was provided by the Texas Air National Guard's 147th Reconnaissance Wing, 149th Fighter Wing, and Lackland Air Force Base's 37th Training Wing.
For the flight, a banding system similar to that being used in hospitals ensured that the patient and his equipment were tracked in the Transcom Regulating and Command and Control Evacuation System (TRAC2ES), a seamless patient movement automated information system. The Global Patient Movement Requirements Center (GPRC) tracked movement of the plane and its precious cargo.
The flight crew worked tirelessly to adjust breathing equipment to the barometric pressures in a C-130 flying at high altitude and constantly monitored patients during flight. The simple reading of a blood pressure cuff became a feat in climbing, balancing and concentrating when the patient was three high and the aircraft banked into a turn.
After a bit of well deserved rest, the same crew, the C-130s, and medical personnel flew to Belle Chasse, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in New Orleans to assist the Louisiana National Guard there.
In Austin, medical air evacuation flights from Lakefront, La., started arriving at Bergstrom International Airport on Aug. 31.
"Protecting life and limb of fellow citizens here or in a sister state in times of crisis is a solemn commitment for all National Guardsmen and women," said Col. Constance McNabb, Texas Military Forces Joint Surgeon. "The Air National Guard medical community is honored and humbled to bring our medical talent and compassion to communities in times of their greatest need. Helping other people is why Guard medics serve."
While this movement of patients was a small victory against nature here on Aug. 30, others still need to heed public service announcements from local officials.
Texas Adjutant General Lt. Gen. Charles G. Rodriguez put it all in perspective when he said: "(Training) has brought us where we are today. We have to continuously look for the optimum solution and continue to make improvements based on lessons learned.
"I believe that real domestic readiness happens when several factors come together: mutually-respected partnerships, open and honest communications, realistic training, and continuous fine tuning of procedures and processes."
"While there may be enormous property damage form Hurricane Gustav, we in the Texas Guard all pray that human lives will be spared. With our respected partners at every level of government, we stand ready to do our part to save lives and help people get back to their businesses and normal lives."