DECATUR, Ill., - Five Illinois National Guard Soldiers with the 106th Aviation based here packed their gear and headed for oil relief efforts in Hammond, La. May 26.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and aircrew set off on a three-week mission in support of Operation Deep Horizon, the relief effort for the oil spill that has spread throughout the Gulf of Mexico since late April.
“This will be our third trip down south for relief efforts,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Simard, a crew chief with the 106th Aviation. “We went down for Hurricane Katrina and Gustav and now for the oil spill.”
A main reason the Illinois National Guard aircrew was selected for this mission was because of their experience from flying during Hurricane Katrina, said Maj. Christopher McIntyre, the Decatur flight facility commander. In addition, the crew is “dunker” qualified, which is over water survival training.
For three weeks the aircrew will transport equipment and personnel, in addition to carrying large quantities of sand, by airlift along the coast. The main goal is to create and sustain a levee system that will block oil from reaching the coast. The crew will also transport federal officials, Army Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard personnel for observation purposes.
“It’s a tragedy, but we’re glad we are able to offer assistance,” said Chief Warrant Officer (2) Nathaniel McKean of Decatur, a pilot on the mission.