163d Reconnaissance Wing Volunteers for Southern California Fire Relief

Published Nov. 7, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Diane Ducat
163d Reconnaissance Wing

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- Thirty-nine 163d Reconnaissance Wing members quickly volunteered for a tasking in Vista, California on October 24, that would contribute toward the relief efforts of the San Diego Wildfires. A team and equipment was needed to set up temporary housing for the extra emergency personnel that would be assigned to the San Diego area during the wildfire disaster.

"I think one of the amazing things is that we had all of the volunteers within a half hour of the tasking. That speaks highly of the 163d RW," commented Master Sgt. Mike Hamilton of the Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS).

In Fiscal Year 2006, the National Guard Bureau received funding from Congress to purchase ten Disaster Relief Bed Down kits that will assist the Air National Guard to better react to a natural disaster.

The Wing Regional Training Site is home to one of only ten kits among ANG units nationwide. The cost of one kit is in excess of two million dollars and can provide facilities for up to 150 personnel. It can be used in whole or part and includes: Alaskan shelters, vehicles, shower, shave, latrine facilities, environmental control units, power production system, electrical distribution, SPEK kitchen, self-help laundry, electrical components, secondary distribution center, water distribution system, cold weather heaters and concertina wire.

This was the first contingency a portion of the kit was deployed and provided the support it was intended for.

"The resource is phenomenal, obtaining it will definitely be our first call next time a disaster happens," said Sgt. Mark Varnau with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

After a two hour convoy that included nine vehicles, the team of guardsmen arrived at the North County Courthouse and immediately began unloading equipment and preparing the site for the layout of the tent city.

For many, this was their first experience with this type of tasking. The goal was to have 10 Alaskan shelters equipped with operational environmental control units (produce heating and cooling), power production system( generators) and twelve cots in each before the end of the night. Sixteen hours after the deployment began, formation was called and the goal had been completed.

"It was fantastic to see how we accomplished the task with all the different squadrons coming together," said Senior Airman Vance Jackson Jr. of LRS. "Everyone worked very hard, even with the environmental conditions of the heat and smoke."