US Military sends surveillance aircraft to survey Hurricane Harvey damage

The US Navy sent a P-8 Poseidon maritime, patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and the US Air Force sent an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft to assist in the recovery from Hurricane Harvey.

Many other military aircraft are participating in the efforts.

Mary McHale, spokeswoman for AFNORTH, says the operations center is currently using and monitoring 11 HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters; seven HC-130J extended-range, search and rescue aircraft, which are also acting as “refuelers as well as cargo as tasked;” and some Civil Air Patrol Cessna aircraft.

“We are not using any MQ-1 [or MQ-]9 assets at this time,” McHale clarified when asked if other surveillance aircraft are being dispatched.

Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs left Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, on Tuesday carrying 30.6 tons of relief supplies to Alexandria International Airport, in Alexandria, Louisiana.

“They had two crews launch to carry relief cargo and support personnel into the region. Aircrews were comprised of members from the 14th, 15th and 16th Airlift Squadrons,” Capt. Mark Graff, an Air Force spokesman, said in an email.

Featured image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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