Army efforts save lives following historic hurricane

By Thomas Brading, Army News ServiceNovember 16, 2020

Army efforts save lives following historic hurricane
A U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo rescues victims of Hurricane Eta stranded in floodwaters in Honduras, Nov. 5, 2020. (Photo Credit: Capt. Rachel Salpietra) VIEW ORIGINAL

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- As Hurricane Eta pummeled through much of Central America earlier this month, a joint disaster relief response leapt into action, saving at least 289 lives and delivering life-saving supplies to the storm-ravaged region.

Eta was the deadliest storm to hit the region in two decades. Its forceful winds and torrential rainfall left a trail of destruction in its wake, resulting in deadly floods and mudslides, especially in Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, and Guatemala.

On Nov. 3, the historic storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Nicaragua and left countries reeling, said Col. John Litchfield, commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo, or JTF-Bravo. “[We] maintain a high level of readiness to respond to crisis, particularly hurricanes and other disasters that require military support.”

JTF-Bravo began operations in Honduras on Nov.5, followed by Panama on Nov. 7 and Guatemala on Nov. 10, as each country declared a national state of emergency and requested the U.S. government’s help.

Around 250 troops from JTF-Bravo, U.S. Army South, U.S. Special Operations Command South, and other U.S. Southern Command teams were deployed to Central America's hardest-hit areas.

“We’ve been able to help out partners in Central America,” said 1st Lt. Paige M. Ziegler, a CH-47 Chinook pilot with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, assigned to JTF-Bravo. “We’re proud to assist in their time of need.”

Army efforts save lives following historic hurricane
A U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo rescues victims of Hurricane Eta stranded in floodwaters in Honduras, Nov. 5, 2020. (Photo Credit: Capt. Rachel Salpietra) VIEW ORIGINAL

For many of the people they helped, it was their first time seeing a U.S. Army helicopter, she added.

“We’re landing in these incredibly remote areas and being able to assist them,” she said last week, “and seeing how gracious they are for our help has been the most rewarding mission I have done to date.”

Capt. Max Vandervort, commander of Bravo Co., 1-228th Avn. Rgt., flew missions around the region, including to Guatemala.

“It is the unfortunate truth that this country [Guatemala] is extremely versed in handling natural disasters,” Vandervort said. “Through all of the mudslides, high-water levels, and illnesses, the Guatemalan people have been so friendly and appreciative.

“We are all Americans, and I know that they would do the same for us if the roles were reversed,” he added.

Once the storm made landfall, Litchfield said his troops were able to get out and save lives. “The first 72 hours were almost exclusively on search and rescue,” he said. “People who were trapped, and in very dire circumstances.”

After the initial lifesaving efforts, “we started to transition to places where people were isolated and needed to be extracted or needed life-saving supplies,” he added.

JTF-Bravo then expanded its mission, which concluded over the weekend, from rescue to delivering life-saving supplies and humanitarian aid to stranded communities. The first round of humanitarian aid was delivered Nov. 9 to the Cortes Department of Honduras.

“In addition to standard [UH-60] Black Hawks, we have several that are specially configured for medevac missions,” Litchfield said last week. “We also have Chinooks, our heavy cargo helicopters, which is our most capable platform in terms of range as well.”

Army efforts save lives following historic hurricane
A U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo rescues a Honduran child from Hurricane Eta’s high floodwaters at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Nov. 6, 2020. (Photo Credit: Air Force Staff Sgt. Elijaih Tiggs) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Navy, Coast Guard, and the British military also supplied manpower and helicopters toward the mission, he said.

Military personnel were deployed to some of the most gravely affected communities, Litchfield said, and a daily haul of more than 378,000 pounds of life saving aid was delivered.

“I’m extremely proud of the tireless efforts the men and women of the Winged Warriors have demonstrated to save lives and bring comfort to those affected by this devastating storm,” said Lt. Col. Adam R. Bock, commander of the 1-228th Avn. Rgt. “What we do here matters, and it’s inspiring to see everyone working together towards a common goal.”

This common goal, as Bock said, is an all-hands effort that has included host nations’ governments and organizations. Litchfield estimated that for every life saved by Americans, Honduran forces have saved 10.

“There hasn't been any challenge that we couldn't overcome, either overcome as a task force, or more importantly, with our host nation partners,” Litchfield said.

Army efforts save lives following historic hurricane
Honduran family members rest on a U.S. Army HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo after being rescued from Hurricane Eta’s high floodwaters at San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Nov. 6, 2020. (Photo Credit: Air Force Staff Sgt. Elijaih Tiggs) VIEW ORIGINAL

Related Links:

Army.mil: Humanitarian Relief

Joint Task Force-Bravo

Army News Service

ARNEWS archives

Army.mil: Worldwide News

Follow Thomas Brading on Twitter