National Guard and FWC team up to keep us safe

Photo By Sgt. Stephanie Cassinos Way | An aerial view of the Gulf Coast shoreline as seen from a C-23 "Sherpa" aircraft operated by Florida National Guard's Detachment 1, Company H, 171 1st Aviation. This Army National Guard unit supporting Fish and Wildlife Conservation staff in their effort to photograph and report tar and oil that is approaching the shoreline.  

PENSACOLA, FL, UNITED STATES

06.19.2010

Story by Spc. Stephanie Cassinos Way 

Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs           

From the open door of a C-23 “Sherpa” aircraft, fisheries biologist Kate Harriger with Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scanned the ocean and snapped pictures.

“There’s some over there,” she said, pointing a finger, before she took several photos and got on the headset to request the pilot circle around.

Harriger, with the support of the Florida National Guard’s Detachment 1, Company H, 171st Aviation, has been assigned to search the waters close to the Gulf shore for any signs of product from the Mississippi Canyon oil spill.

“Riding in a plane and helicopter is definitely new and exciting for me,” said Harriger, “but in the long run, I'm still out in the field collecting data that will ultimately benefit the fishery and the people of Florida.”

Harriger uses a special camera to take photos that are embedded with grid coordinates that can pin-point the precise location of where the oil or tar was when the photo was taken. This helps expedite efforts to contain the oil, such as skimming the waters’ surface or placing boom to catch the product before it reaches shore.

Costas Katechis, a fisheries research biologist with FWC, rushed to download the information from the pictures Harriger took. This eyes-on method allows for those involved in preventative actions to know where to go and when to be there.

Although he says they usually work on rivers, Katechis and Harriger have received on-site training on how to classify different types of product from the oil spill.

“We look for product from the Deepwater Horizon near and in state waters so we can determine which fishing grounds can be opened and closed,” said Katechis, a native of Montgomery, Ala. “And this allows us to lead clean-up efforts by skimmers and boomers.”

Flying several daily missions, the Florida National Guard plays a key role in providing aerial support. Their citizen-Soldiers man the aircraft, navigate the shores and help spot oil and tar balls.

Thanks to the efforts of the FWC and the Florida National Guard, communities can rest easy knowing there are watchful eyes guarding their shores.

• Date Taken: 06.19.2010
• Date Posted: 07.02.2010 13:27
• Story ID: 52303
• Location: PENSACOLA, FL, US