by Lt. Col. Frank Howard
181st Intelligence Wing
3/5/2014 - HULMAN FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ind. -- The
roar of the jets is long gone but Airmen from the Indiana Air National
Guard's 181st Intelligence Wing here still stand watch for the Hoosiers
of Indiana.
The 181st IW was tasked Feb. 21 to conduct aerial operations for
Operation Blue Sky at the request of Indiana Department of Homeland
Security.
"The ice dams were moving downstream with the size and potential
strength to damage bridges and other key infrastructure in their paths
due to the historically heavy icing on the river this season," said Jan
Crider, IDHS. "Due to flooding in the area only an 'air picture' could
provide this assessment."
The 181st IW along with the Civil Air Patrol launched an Aerial
Collections Team sortie to conduct aerial assessment of flooding in
Tippecanoe and Fulton Counties to provide IDHS an accurate assessment of
the flooding.
"I am proud of how our Airmen responded to this historic tasking,"
stated Col. Patrick Renwick, 181st IW vice commander. "One of our
primary missions is to assist the people of Indiana and this is just one
of many ways we are prepared to support our community."
While airborne the team surveyed the ice jam causing the flooding,
observed and reported a sport utility vehicle stranded in flood water
and provided analysis of areas affected by the flooding.
"Our close working partnership with the Civil Air Patrol and our Wing's
focus on disaster response can really make a difference when incident
commanders respond to severe weather or disasters," Renwick said.
"The Racers are critical to domestic response and dedicated to
supporting the people of Indiana in whatever way we are tasked," said
Col. Donald Bonte, 181st IW commander. "While we hope disasters don't
happen, we are here and ready whenever the State of Indiana requires our
assistance."
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