New York National Guard Delivers Communications Equipment to Louisiana

Sixteen New York National Guard communications specialists -- along with a high-tech communications system, known as an Interim Satellite Incident Site Communications Set (ISISCS) -- were deployed Wednesday to Louisiana from Stratton Air National Guard Base, Scotia, in support of hurricane recovery efforts.

"Effective communication plays a crucial role in the ability of those onsite to do their important work and quickly disseminate critical information to personnel in the field," New York George E. Pataki said. "The high-tech communications equipment being transported and operated by the New York National Guard will greatly aid relief workers as they continue with ongoing recovery efforts. New Yorkers continue to stand ready to provide any assistance we can to our friends in the Gulf Coast region, whose lives have been devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

The Interim Satellite Incident Site Communications Set was developed to respond to the near-term threat environment and homeland security. The ISISCS is a mobile set of communications hardware and associated peripheral equipment designed to provide on-site communications capabilities for enhanced command and control and shared situational awareness among first responders, and state and federal command authorities. When deployed, the ISISCS fulfills three primary functions:

• Interoperability -- Interconnects diverse voice communications networks/devices, used by multiple response agencies at the incident site.
• Reachback -- Provides support to relevant state and federal National Guard networks and to organizations with incident management responsibilities.
• Command Post Integration -- Provides on-scene command post integration.

New York State is a member of the national Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which establishes a mutual partnership with other states to provide aid and assistance in times of emergency. When states request assistance through EMAC, the compact facilitates member states sending personnel and equipment to help disaster relief efforts, augmenting the affected state's resources and additional assistance from the federal government.

The following missions have been completed by the New York National Guard or are ongoing in support of Hurricane Katrina and Rita recovery efforts:

• The 105th Air Wing, NYANG from Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh completed a C-5A airlift mission on August 30 and flew FEMA personnel and equipment from March Air Reserve Base, Calif., to Lafayette Regional Airport in Louisiana.
  
  
• On August 31, the Long Island-based 106th Rescue Wing, NYANG launched an HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter to Jackson, Mississippi to conduct search and rescue operations.
  
  
• On September 1, the 106th launched an additional HH-60 Pavehawk and HC-130 Hercules to Jackson, Mississippi to further support search and rescue missions.
  
  
• The 106th Rescue Wing has 19 aircrew members, six para-rescue jumpers, two HH-60 Pavehawk helicopters and 2 KC-130 Hercules on station to support ongoing search and rescue operations in Mississippi.
  
  
• The 109th Air Wing from Scotia has launched three C-130 Hercules to airlift personnel, vehicles, equipment and supplies to Hattiesburg, Mississippi and New Orleans.
  
  
• A C-5A Galaxy from the 105th Air Wing in Newburgh has conducted an airlift mission to bring relief personnel and materials to Louisiana.