Is Canada going to offer any help? Like DART

[lou133]

I suppose that USA has enough resources to deal with these situation, it's far from being poor with no infrastructures, but it's more for the principle of offering help, just having good intention

 

[The_Falcon]

I suppose that USA has enough resources to deal with these situation, it's far from being poor with no infrastructures, but it's more for the principle of offering help, just having good intention

Exactly! As someone else mentioned good friends don't wait to be asked.   Even though they obviously have way more resources than us, it fosters goodwill to offer some help.

 

[medicineman]

I remember that a whole pile of assets went down to Florida for Hurricane Andrew back in the early 90's - I think the President said something to the effect that seeing as half of Florida is Canadian, perhaps you should help out a bit... : ;D

MM

 

[edadian]

If the US does all the resources it needs why isn't getting to New Orleans? The lawlessness in the city could easily be dealt with with a Stryker Brigade. Amphibious vehicles moving through the flooded streets would be better then boats.

As for the National Guard how much of these States' Guards are in Iraq?

DART could be sent if asked for but sending it without waiting to be asked is a technical act of war. When did the US National Guard get our water purification equipment? Last I heard no other military in the world had kit like it.

 

[The_Falcon]

If the US does all the resources it needs why isn't getting to New Orleans? The lawlessness in the city could easily be dealt with with a Stryker Brigade. Amphibious vehicles moving through the flooded streets would be better then boats.

As for the National Guard how much of these States' Guards are in Iraq?

DART could be sent if asked for but sending it without waiting to be asked is a technical act of war. When did the US National Guard get our water purification equipment? Last I heard no other military in the world had kit like it.

I have been watching this most of the day, the big reasons why they can't equipment to the area is most of the roads into New Orleans are ruined, and the water ways (Mississipi River) are blocked by debris (parts of buildings, trees, boats etc.).  Also no has suggested sending help without asking first.

 

[edadian]

Hence why I suggested amphibious vehicles to get past the knocked out bridges. Bush has just said he is sending the Iwo Jima groups and the Comfort. Marines will have the amphibious kit needed to get into New Orleans.

 

[The_Falcon]

Hence why I suggested amphibious vehicles to get past the knocked out bridges. Bush has just said he is sending the Iwo Jima groups and the Comfort. Marines will have the amphibious kit needed to get into New Orleans.

Yeah I heard you the first time, problem is the WATER is not clear, its full of debris that is blocking anything bigger than a pleasure boat.   The army engineers they were interviewing talked about this. They can't get anykind of ground/water vehicle to the breaches until the debris is removed. Why do you think they are only using helicopters right now?

 

[Armymedic]

If the US does all the resources it needs why isn't getting to New Orleans? The lawlessness in the city could easily be dealt with with a Stryker Brigade. Amphibious vehicles moving through the flooded streets would be better then boats.

As for the National Guard how much of these States' Guards are in Iraq?

DART could be sent if asked for but sending it without waiting to be asked is a technical act of war. When did the US National Guard get our water purification equipment? Last I heard no other military in the world had kit like it.

We have a common saying within the military;

"Stay within your arcs"

You have little idea about what you are talking about here.
First, of course other militaries have ROWPU units, and in particularly an army as experienced in desert warfare as the US army, in fact they have companies of water specialists who do nothing but.
Second the NG has to be given the "aid to civil power rights" to assist police to prevent the looting, but I am sure a bit of looting in New Orleans will be sorted out once they are able to evacuate the city.
Third, the states of Louisiana and Mississippi will have more of a problem housing and feeding the millions of people who are now homeless...the logistics of this will be stagering.
Next, Amphibious armour vehs, while designed to swim, don't very well, and need a lot of prep for water. They also are not the best thing to load up with civilians for evacuation. Further Strykers (like our LAV 3s) are not amphibious.
Also, the Marine battle groups have lots of helicopters and hovercraft, which are much more use then armoured vehicles.
Finally our DART...is designed around taking care of a small 2nd or 3rd world population (around 1000 people), not for a disaster of this magnitude in a first world country.

There is no doubt our gov't has quietly offered any help that is needed. Our military will be of little use, and only in specialized areas, which FEMA will ask for if needed.

Like I said earlier, if you want to help, give money to the Red Cross.

 

[AmmoTech90]

If the US does all the resources it needs why isn't getting to New Orleans? The lawlessness in the city could easily be dealt with with a Stryker Brigade. Amphibious vehicles moving through the flooded streets would be better then boats.

Strykers aren't amphibious.

As for the National Guard how much of these States' Guards are in Iraq?

LA has around 10500 Army NG, 3000 are in Iraq, so that leaves 6500.  And how was this brigade sized formation supposed to deploy back to the US on less than a weeks notice? 

DART could be sent if asked for but sending it without waiting to be asked is a technical act of war. When did the US National Guard get our water purification equipment? Last I heard no other military in the world had kit like it.

I have seen the USMC has ROWPUs and mini-ROWPUs that do pretty much the same job.  They come in 3000 and 600 gallon per hour varieties.  A quick search on the web shows that all the military including National Guard deploy this kit, in fact there are NG units dedicated to it. http://www.iowanationalguard.com/pages/Pub_Affair/news/SOLDIERSFROMTHEIOWANATIONALGUARD1555thQUARTERMASTERDETACHMENTRELEASEDFROMACTIVEDUTYANDRETURNINGHOMEMARCH_29_2004.html

Armymedic got there first...

 

[HollywoodHitman]

Vancouver Fire Department (IAFF Loc. 18) are sending their Disaster Response Team. Just got the phone call from my buddy who is on his way tonight.

 

[1feral1]

Look how generous Boston was after the Halifax explosion of 06 Dec 1917. To this day Halifax presents Boston with a huge Christmas tree every year in appreciation.

This hurricane is a tragedy to which we will only know how bad in the weeks and months to come.

Wes

 

[Armymedic]

Global news had a story about this very thing...

the short answer is that help has been offered, but no request have been sent from the US. Got to give them a day or two to figure out what they need.

http://www.canada.com/national/globalnational/story.html?id=06c713e1-c88f-48a8-8ddf-da7368f7bc4b

How is Canada helping its southern neighbour?
 

Canadian Press


August 31, 2005

TORONTO -- Canadian leaders are offering to send help to the United States in the aftermath of the devastation wrought by hurricane Katrina.

Ontario is looking into whether its medical and search-and-rescue personnel can help, while B.C.'s urban search and rescue teams are ready to go, waiting for a green light to deploy in flood-devastated areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan, who has said Canadian health authorities have offered to send emergency medical supplies, was scheduled to discuss Canada's role in the hurricane aftermath in Edmonton late Wednesday.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said he has asked the American ambassador to Canada how the province can assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

"We stand at the ready to assist," said McGuinty, who said Ontario could help with hydro crews and with its Emergency Medical Assistance Team.

Relief efforts by Canadians in disaster zones are largely organized in Ottawa but McGuinty said Wednesday he wants to know from David Wilkins what specifically Ontario can do.

McGuinty's decision to reach out came as provincial opposition parties were criticizing the premier for not moving fast enough to offer help to flooded areas in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

At least 125 people have died in the flooding, and New Orleans is a swamp, with about 80 per cent of the city under water.

Provincial Conservative Leader John Tory questioned whether the premier is acting fast enough. He urged McGuinty to "dispatch those people and get them on their way" because it might still take a few days before it's decided exactly how they can help.

McLellan, the federal cabinet minister, said Tuesday she told Michael Chertoff, the American secretary of homeland security, that Canada is ready to provide assistance if needed. She said Canadian health authorities have offered to send emergency medical supplies from the country's emergency stockpile.

Officials in McLellan's office said as of Wednesday afternoon the Americans hadn't made any requests for help.

© The Canadian Press 2005

 

[HollywoodHitman]

Vancouver's Team has been on Standby since lastnight........This is CURRENT info as of about 1500hrs Pac time......They're leaving tonight.

 

[FormerHorseGuard]

i am sure people like the DART team would be requested but till the local people at all levels of government in the Southern States, then in Washington, then Ottawa decide what  is needed and what can be delivered in a timing matter not much can be done.
they are sending naval ships from the east coast of the States but they are looking at up to 5 days before they can be in place.
Major Airports to land aircraft at that are capable of taking the DART Team to the area is not ready for traffic. It will be days before they  know what  they  need or where they  need it. I think the Canadian Government if and when they are asked they  will send what  is requested and only  then will it be sent.

As for APCs being used to stop looting, that  will not work, have to clear roads, cleaned of trash and other things before you can drive down them even in shallow water,  deeper water..............small boats would be of more use.
Looting is going tobe a problem for days to come, and the biggest probelm is what  do you do with the people once you cuff and holding them. no place to take them the jails are flooded and the immates already  there are sitting on over passes and bridges awaiting something or some place to go.

 

[AmmoTech90]

Looting is going tobe a problem for days to come, and the biggest probelm is what  do you do with the people once you cuff and holding them. no place to take them the jails are flooded and the immates already  there are sitting on over passes and bridges awaiting something or some place to go.

Handcuff them to bike racks

 

[Kat Stevens]

If the US does all the resources it needs why isn't getting to New Orleans? The lawlessness in the city could easily be dealt with with a Stryker Brigade. Amphibious vehicles moving through the flooded streets would be better then boats.

As for the National Guard how much of these States' Guards are in Iraq?

DART could be sent if asked for but sending it without waiting to be asked is a technical act of war. When did the US National Guard get our water purification equipment? Last I heard no other military in the world had kit like it.

US army has had the same, or at least very similar, water purification equipment to ours for years. How do I know? 'Cause I was there when their design teams came and looked at my ROWPUs.

 

[Slim]

Hence why I suggested amphibious vehicles to get past the knocked out bridges. Bush has just said he is sending the Iwo Jima groups and the Comfort. Marines will have the amphibious kit needed to get into New Orleans.

Way outside your arcs here...

TTime to take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth...Either that or stick to the cadet forums please.

Slim
STAFF

 

[Roger]

I would not think having Canadian soldiers walking the streets arresting looters would be a sight Americans would like to see, but who says we cannot go there and help clean up or fill sanbags.

 

[Kat Stevens]

I don't remember too many US troops sandbagging next to me when the Red River barfed it's guts, or 50 miles of high tension wires fell down in Quebec...Just a thought, not looking for a bollocking here.

Kat

 

[George Wallace]

From American sources:

Military providing full-scale response to hurricane relief effort
by Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123011498

8/31/2005 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Joint Task Force Katrina is setting up Aug. 31 at Camp Shelby, Miss., as the Defense Department's focal point to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency's relief efforts along the Gulf Coast, said Maj. Eric Butterbaugh, a U.S. Northern Command spokesman.

Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, 1st U.S. Army commander, will head the task force to coordinate DOD active-duty support for disaster relief efforts in the hurricane's aftermath, much of it already under way or in the works.

Meanwhile, the number of National Guardsmen on duty in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida rose to almost 8,300 on Aug. 31.

Military providing full-scale response to hurricane relief effort
by Master Sgt. Paul Fazzini
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123011497

8/31/2005 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- The Tanker Airlift Control Center here started generating missions Air Mobility Command aircrews will fly supporting Hurricane Katrina relief operations in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through Northern Command and U.S. Transportation Command, asked for airlift support to fly relief supplies to the stricken region, said Col. Jeff Franklin, the center controller working hurricane relief mission taskings.

"We've already tasked two aeromedical evacuation airlift missions to fly from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., to (Lackland AFB) in San Antonio," he said. "In addition, AMC has been tasked to fly five other strategic airlift missions into Lafayette Regional Airport in Lafayette, La. Four of those are C-5 (Galaxys) and the other is a C-17 (Globemaster III)."

A mix of total force Airmen from active-duty, Guard and Reserve bases nationwide are flying the missions, the colonel said. They will move everything from inflatable boats to urban search and rescue team members and their equipment. Because airports and airfields in the Biloxi and New Orleans areas are without power because of extensive damage from the hurricane's high winds, rain and flooding, aircraft are primarily flying cargo and people into Lafayette, located northwest of the coastal areas.

There has not been a staging area established for incoming cargo and people yet, the colonel said.