Iraq War Takes Helicopters Needed for U.S. Disaster Missions

[cal04]

While the Defense Department has pushed extra equipment to units in hurricane-prone states in part to compensate for what has been ordered to Iraq, an ABCNews.com investigation has found some Plains and western states have few if any helicopters on hand to respond quickly to a disaster.

And a backup system of sharing helicopters between states may not be as helpful as it's billed, experts say.

"We're on the ragged edge" in Nebraska, the state's adjutant general, Roger Lempke, told a panel of concerned U.S. lawmakers Thursday, describing the absence of helicopters in his state. Nebraska's contingent of Blackhawk helicopters are deployed in Iraq, leaving few aircraft for disaster relief missions at home.

(snip)
Nebraska's situation is not unique. Arkansas National Guard can't count a single helicopter of its own in-state, although it is borrowing a few from neighbors. National Guards in Kansas, Texas and Montana report the vast majority of their helicopters are deployed out of state, mostly in Iraq and Afghanistan. Colorado's National Guard has deployed 17 of its 20 helicopters to Iraq, leaving three to help domestic missions like fighting wildfires.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/05/iraq_war_takes_.html

[babylonsister]

1. Truly pathetic. So if 'they' do attack us here, we have no way

to defend ourselves. And I know that's not where this is going, but that would be a facet.
I'm speechless, really. It's become so convoluted.
It's all about the oil, screw America and Americans, if there's a natural disaster, they'll just lie their way out of what they haven't done or provided.

[WinkyDink]

2. The better for Bush's private mercenaries.

[snappyturtle]

3. We have gotten eight inches of rain in about twelve hours.....

our low water crossing is closed which means we're in the house for the day or more. Reports on the Weather Channel even mentioned Ingram,TX this morning for autos washed off Interstate 10! Helicopters are THE way to rescue people here. Texas loses more people to flooding than any other state. Way to go DOD!