How swift? A picture is worth a thousand words they say.
050830-N-8154G-037 Gulf of Mexico
(Aug. 30, 2005) – An MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15),
takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in the New Orleans area. Bataan is currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 100 miles South of New Orleans. The ship’s involvement in the humanitarian assistance operations led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in conjunction with the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jeremy L. Grisham (RELEASED)
Note the date, Aug 30? The day after Katrina struck and the day the levee broke in New Orleans.
050831-N-0000B-010 Jefferson, La.
(Aug. 31, 2005) –
U.S. Navy air crewmen load Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and bottles of water into the back of a U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron Fifteen (HM-15),
on an access road about 5 miles from New Orleans. HM-15 is currently embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5). Bataan is participating in humanitarian assistance operations led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in conjunction with the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Lt.j.g Sammy Brake (RELEASED)
Again, notice the date, Aug 31 - one day after the levee broke.
Photographs are courtesy of
the US Navy.050831-N-1467R-080 Gulf of Mexico (
Aug. 31, 2005) -
The second of two Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCACs) assigned to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City, Fla.,
loaded with water and Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) approaches the stern gate of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) as part of the disaster relief efforts along the Gulf Coast.
050831-N-1467R-030 Gulf of Mexico
(Aug. 31, 2005) - A Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) assigned Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU-2), departs the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) bound for New Orleans.
The LCU is loaded with sandbags, water, a small flat bottom boat, 300 lifejackets, a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) and enough supplies to last ten days as part of the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina hit the Southern Gulf Coast States.
050830-N-0553R-002 Gulfport, Miss.
(Aug. 30, 2005) - U.S. Navy Seabees vehicles from Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Miss.,
form a convoy along U.S. Highway 90 in Gulfport, Miss., as they prepare to remove debris left by Hurricane Katrina.If Bush and his administration are guilty of anything, it's not handling the press properly.
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